Growing recognition of neurodivergence is prompting experts to call for it to be placed at the centre of psychiatric care
CREDIT: This is an edited version of an article that originally appeared in Yahoo News
Psychiatrists are being encouraged to place neurodivergence at the heart of mental health assessment and treatment, following a new call to action published in the British Journal of Psychiatry. The initiative, supported by Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, highlights the need for greater recognition of conditions such as ADHD, autism and tic disorders within psychiatric populations.
What the Editorial Explains
The editorial warns that a lack of understanding or identification of neurodevelopmental conditions can lead to misdiagnosis, inappropriate treatment pathways and an increased risk of crisis or relapse for patients.
It argues that these conditions are not peripheral considerations, but central to effective psychiatric care and should be embedded within core training for mental health professionals.
Professor Hugo Critchley of Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS), a lead author of the editorial, emphasised the importance of this shift, stating that psychiatrists must recognise neurodivergence as central to their work. He highlighted that improving awareness, upskilling clinicians and redesigning services would enable more personalised care and improved outcomes for patients.
Why This Matters for Primary Care Practices
This call for greater focus on neurodivergence has significant implications for primary care, where many patients first present with mental health concerns. General practitioners are often the first point of contact for individuals experiencing symptoms of ADHD, autism spectrum conditions or neurodevelopmental differences, meaning recognition at this stage is critical.
Improved awareness in primary care settings can help ensure patients are appropriately assessed and referred, reducing delays in diagnosis and preventing misinterpretation of symptoms as purely anxiety, depression or behavioural issues. This is particularly important given the overlap between neurodivergent traits and common mental health presentations.
For primary care teams, a stronger understanding of neurodivergence can also support more tailored communication, treatment planning and care coordination. It enables clinicians to better differentiate between mental health conditions and underlying neurodevelopmental differences, leading to more accurate care pathways and improved patient experience.
Ultimately, strengthening neurodiversity awareness in primary care not only improves diagnostic accuracy but also helps reduce long-term system pressure by ensuring patients receive the right support earlier in their care journey.
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