ADHD medication shortage: 'Life is horrendous'

Clayton has been diagnosed with autism and ADHD

The mother of a boy with ADHD has described how a national shortage of the medication he needs has left him in limbo eight months after his diagnosis.

Nine-year-old Clayton's parents Kerryann and Shaun, from Hampshire, said it took two years for him to finally be diagnosed in March.

But now they cannot get hold of the drugs needed to manage his often-violent and disruptive symptoms.

The government has warned some supply issues could last until December.

Kerryann said that in the meantime "life is horrendous" and they were "forever on eggshells".

She told the BBC: "We don't know what will happens if he flips - anything can happen.

"We've always known something wasn't right - he's always been a wildcard."

Kerryann and Shaun with their sons Clayton (left) and Fred

She said while her son was academically bright he could be "disruptive when he's not stimulated", adding he was prone to violent outbursts and had run away on occasions.

"People say he's just a naughty child but he isn't. His brain is wired differently and there is nothing he can do - you can see the anguish in his face when he physically doesn't know what to do," she said.

Despite being diagnosed in March with autism and ADHD, Kerryann said the family have been told they could be on a waiting list for medication for up to a year.

Clayton's ADHD diagnosis meant he was eligible for support from Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.

"But that's no more than a phone call," said Kerryann.

"They advise you to go to groups and do courses but it's our child that needs the support, not us.

"My son has a neurological disorder and needs help. There is only so much we can do."

The Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) said it understood the shortages could be distressing and said it was "working intensively" with manufacturers to increase supply to "ensure continuous access to ADHD medicines for those who need them".

In a statement, it added: "Some of these supply issues have now been resolved but we know issues remain with others. These are expected to be resolved by the end of the year."

The DHSC said previously three different medicines were affected by the shortage and blamed "increased global demand and manufacturing issues".

Follow BBC South on Facebook, X, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to [e-mail].