7. Missed Connections

24 February 2026


14 minutes


Lucy's stumbled on a connection in between her gaming problem and her medication. But her mental health team says they don't understand what she's talking about.


Freddie's reached snapping point. And, one day, he notices his dad's medication brochure on the kitchen area table, triggering a full-blown crisis.


It's been understood for more than twenty years that drugs impacting dopamine levels in the brain have potential side impulse control disorders like hypersexuality, or compulsive shopping or gaming.


Warnings have been added to patient info brochures - but a number of individuals who've called BBC investigations correspondent Noel Titheradge about their experiences say the threats weren't made clear.


Why weren't they warned about the possible adverse effects of these medications before it was far too late?