Faroese psychiatric chief criticises ADHD conference

A leading Faroese psychiatrist has criticised a recent ADHD conference in Tórshavn for promoting anti-psychiatric views that did not reflect the position of the psychiatric department, according to a report by Faroese broadcaster KVF.

Around 400 people attended the event at Norðurlandahúsið earlier this month, where psychiatrist Samid Dimimi argued that research on whether ADHD is innate, genetic, or a permanent diagnosis remains inconclusive.

Tórmóður Stórá, chief physician at the Psykiatriska Deplin (Psychiatric Department), told KVF the conference did not represent the department’s stance on ADHD research, treatment, or care pathways.

The number of Faroese patients receiving ADHD medication has risen sixfold in the past decade, from approximately 340 in 2016 to an estimated 2,000 in 2025. Monthly medication costs per patient range from 1,500 to 2,000 DKK, resulting in an annual expenditure of 36–48 million DKK for the current patient group.