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Himal Mandalia @himal.bsky.social · 7m

Belated birthday meal with my mum and sister earlier. Just opened present from mum. I’d guessed what it was. She knows me too well. This really is the best present. Dangerous too.

Two packs of Tesco Garibaldi biscuits in silver wrapping paper. Partially uncovered.

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Himal Mandalia @himal.bsky.social · 4d

The political under-acknowledgment of ADHD and similar conditions stems from fear: that recognising it means more sick notes and benefits.

But the cost of neglect is higher: homelessness, addiction, prisons, exclusion. “Economically inactive.” The system pays later for what it ignores now.

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Himal Mandalia @himal.bsky.social · 4d

The timing of this with an overdue report from the ADHD Taskforce… Part 1 in June had solid recommendations.

Publish Part 2, commit to ownership, delivery and a national strategy. Not bury it under another review.

Looks like we’ve got our work cut out at @adhdpathfinding.org.uk

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Exclusive: Streeting orders probe of mental illness overdiagnosis

The health and social care secretary is to launch a review of the prevalence of mental illness and neurodivergence, with a particular focus on whether some conditions are being overdiagnosed, HSJ can ...

www.hsj.co.uk

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Himal Mandalia @himal.bsky.social · 3d

ADHD is more than just a label.
But even a label can be important. Especially if all your old ones were “lazy”, “stupid”, “too much”, “naughty” or “no good.”

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ADHD Pathfinding @adhdpathfinding.org.uk · 11h

GPs keep registers for asthma and severe mental illness, but not for ADHD.

Without a register, people disappear from view once diagnosed. No way to track care, outcomes, or who’s being left behind.

📅 Part of ADHD Awareness Month. Day 11 of 31

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Himal Mandalia @himal.bsky.social · 23h

I swear life is so much easier when you’re not terrified by your own emotions because of some out of date brain firmware instructions.

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Himal Mandalia @himal.bsky.social · 23h

Well I was sad. But it’s good to be sad. To really feel it. To grieve. To say goodbye. To let it happen. To let go. And then move on.

The alternative is to bottle it up. And that is never a good idea.

Face things as they happen. In real time. Otherwise you’ll be stuck with them.

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Himal Mandalia @himal.bsky.social · 23h

I tried this. I didn’t run away. I didn’t rush. I was present. I showed up. Consistent. Present.

It was good. But it could only go so far.

I saw mirrored back a lot of what I used to be: closed off, distracting myself. And I finally understood what “emotional labour” meant.

So we parted ways.

Himal Mandalia @himal.bsky.social · Apr 12

So having reconnected, or rematched, with someone from 8 years ago and finding we still have a WhatsApp chat from then, archaeology reveals 6 weeks of regular messaging, oversharing, photos of things we own/like. Tried to meet once but illness. Resumed messaging then went quiet.

Weirdos.

Himal Mandalia @himal.bsky.social · Apr 11

Match with someone again 8 years later, we never met, and immediately into talking about a burst pipe, a leak and an insurance claim. I live for this. Also silently diagnosing.

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Himal Mandalia @himal.bsky.social · 1d

I’m busy. It’s a lot. I was full time running @adhdpathfinding.org.uk and then took on a big contract too. But this is healthy. It’s a transitional period.

Have more formal DM and community manager roles. New comms person joined and is great. Relationship manager incoming.

This is all good.

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ADHD Pathfinding @adhdpathfinding.org.uk · 1d

Weeknote 13 is up!

Our core team roles are taking shape and almost in place, our practitioner survey is landing soon, and NHS England has published new guidance on ADHD treatment. Finally, @himal.bsky.social is running the Royal Parks Half Marathon for The National Autistic Society on Sunday.

ADHD Pathfinding Weeknote #13

10 October 2025 — Building foundations: Team roles, ADHD Awareness Month, and new moves on policy

medium.com

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ADHD Pathfinding @adhdpathfinding.org.uk · 1d

When someone moves house or goes private, their name often stays on NHS ADHD waiting lists. Sometimes on more than one.

It makes lists look longer than they are, hides the real demand, and keeps everyone waiting longer.

📅 Part of ADHD Awareness Month. Day 10 of 31

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Himal Mandalia @himal.bsky.social · 2d

Yes, without resorting to analogies.

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Himal Mandalia @himal.bsky.social · 2d

Finally. Loving how cleanly the examples are presented.

Book “PLATFORMLAND An anatomy of next-generation public services, Richard Pope” held In right hand on top of wooden table.

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Himal Mandalia @himal.bsky.social · 2d

👏👏👏

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Russell Garner @rgarner.bsky.social · 2d

Oh yeah and stuff like this where @randyshoup.bsky.social had written a really great set of lyrics for a Gilbert & Sullivan tune and @himal.bsky.social said someone should record it so I did. I have met neither of these people IRL

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ADHD Pathfinding @adhdpathfinding.org.uk · 2d

ADHD waiting lists are often just spreadsheets. Literally. No severity rating. No link between Trusts. No shared database.

A 21st century health system run on 1990s admin tools. Patients wait years while the data stays a mess.

📅 Part of ADHD Awareness Month. Day 9 of 31

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Himal Mandalia @himal.bsky.social · 2d

In the UK you speak to your General Practitioner and go from there. There are several routes to assessment and diagnosis.

Some good notes here.

Notes on: Getting assessed for ADHD | 21st Century Mindset

I have been asked questions about getting assessed/diagnosed a few times recently and so in the tradition of publish don’t send here are my notes including any updates as appropriate OK, this is likel...

21cmindset.com

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Himal Mandalia @himal.bsky.social · 3d

ADHD is more than just a label.
But even a label can be important. Especially if all your old ones were “lazy”, “stupid”, “too much”, “naughty” or “no good.”

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Reposted by Himal Mandalia

ADHD Pathfinding @adhdpathfinding.org.uk · 3d

Many ADHD referrals still don’t use the NHS electronic referral system (eRS).

The system exists but isn’t required. That means missing data, lost referrals, and no clear picture of demand across regions.

📅 Part of ADHD Awareness Month. Day 8 of 31

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Himal Mandalia @himal.bsky.social · 3d

NHS England just published new guidance on ADHD service delivery: calling for reviews of waiting lists and better risk management.

Good to see formal recognition that untriaged, date order waiting lists are unsafe and inequitable. But it still lacks national ownership, accountability and standards.

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Adam @abrokenbattery.bsky.social · 5d

Simon Wessely — the controversial psychiatrist once dubbed “Britain’s most hated doctor” has been appointed vice chair of Labour’s review into overdiagnosis of mental health and neurodivergence.

www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/news/controv...

Controversial professor to investigate overdiagnosis of mental health and neurodivergence for Labour

Get the benefits you're entitled to: help with personal independence payment (PIP), universal credit (UC), employment and support allowance (ESA),disability living allowance (DLA). Claims, assessments...

www.benefitsandwork.co.uk

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Himal Mandalia @himal.bsky.social · 4d

Thanks! It’s what prompted me to post this:

Himal Mandalia @himal.bsky.social · 4d

The timing of this with an overdue report from the ADHD Taskforce… Part 1 in June had solid recommendations.

Publish Part 2, commit to ownership, delivery and a national strategy. Not bury it under another review.

Looks like we’ve got our work cut out at @adhdpathfinding.org.uk

1/2

Exclusive: Streeting orders probe of mental illness overdiagnosis

The health and social care secretary is to launch a review of the prevalence of mental illness and neurodivergence, with a particular focus on whether some conditions are being overdiagnosed, HSJ can ...

www.hsj.co.uk

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Himal Mandalia @himal.bsky.social · 4d

Hard facts are right here and need to feed into a more accurate narrative. Only 1 in 9 of those who have ADHD are diagnosed, or 0.32% from 9 million GP records. Other studies show rising demand is linked to greater awareness.

adhduk.co.uk/adhd-diagnos...

ADHD Diagnosis Rate - Research Statistics ADHD UK

ADHD is only diagnosed when it is having a debilitating impact on life. Over 2 million people with ADHD are undiagnosed and struggling. Find the Statistics here

adhduk.co.uk

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Himal Mandalia @himal.bsky.social · 4d

Not that it’s any consolation, but even moving areas within England results in the same cut off and reset. Why I’m doing what I’m doing.

We’re all going to get there with this.

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Himal Mandalia @himal.bsky.social · 4d

You’re a real fungi.

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