Prescriptions for ADHD drugs jump 18% year-on-year, figures show

Prescriptions for drugs to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have jumped 18% year-on-year since the pandemic, research suggests.

Experts said increasing awareness of ADHD, including via social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, is likely to have encouraged more people to seek diagnosis and treatment for the condition.

However, they warned that “misinformation on these platforms may lead to misconceptions about symptoms, diagnosis and treatment”.

Another reason behind the rise could be the “strong association between the impact of the (Covid) pandemic and the worsening of ADHD symptoms”, they said.

Dr Ulrich Muller-Sedgwick, ADHD champion at the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said people with ADHD need access to timely and effective assessment, “followed by the appropriate treatment”.

He added: “We’ve seen a significant increase in the number of people coming forward for ADHD support in recent years.

“There are many reasons for this, including improved recognition of ADHD in women, greater public awareness and the impacts of the pandemic which exacerbated many people’s symptoms.

“The right diagnosis and care, including medication and reasonable adjustments, can greatly benefit people’s health and support them to reach their full potential at school, university or work.

“We know that expanding ADHD services through targeted investment would help ensure people receive the vital care they need.”

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Source: The Independent, 11 March 2025