Adult ADHD stimulant prescriptions more than double since COVID pandemic

Adults are seeking ADHD treatment at record rates.

A new Canadian study finds that stimulant prescriptions have more than doubled since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic; This trend mirrors similar increases in the US, Australia, the UK and Finland.

Many mental health professionals say the findings are consistent with what they see in their clinics.

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Analyzing data from January 2016 to June 2024, the study found that the demographics of stimulus areas have changed significantly.

Before the pandemic, 48% of new buyers were women; During the pandemic, this number increased to 59%. The most significant growth occurred among adults ages 25 to 34.

Researchers also noted that the time between a patient’s first ADHD-related healthcare visit and their first prescription has shortened during the pandemic.

As of June 2024, the monthly rate at which adults were prescribed stimulants reached 10.4 per 1,000 people, an increase of more than sevenfold since the beginning of the study period.

This may signal more effective care, but it also raises questions about whether patients are receiving comprehensive evaluations, the study said.

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D., a California-based board-certified psychiatrist and author of “Practicing Stillness.” Nissa Keyashian said the sudden increase was no surprise.

“In my practice and that of many of my colleagues, many people, especially women, have received a new diagnosis of ADHD, which is often the attention deficit subtype, in adulthood,” Keyashian, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital.

The doctor said many of these women had symptoms that were overlooked during childhood.

“Many people only begin to struggle when they go out, are on their own, and have to provide that structure themselves,” one expert said. (iStock)

Unlike the hyperactive or impulsive behavior often seen in men, the “inattentive subtype” usually causes less disruption at home or school.

“A lot of people only start to struggle when they get out and are on their own and have to provide that structure themselves,” Keyashian said. he said.

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Jonathan Alpert, a New York psychotherapist and author of the new book “Therapy Nation,” said he sees many adult patients struggling with focus, productivity and mental overload “in a very challenging digital environment.”

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“These difficulties may resemble ADHD, but they do not always reflect the actual diagnosis,” Alpert, who was not involved in the research, told Fox News Digital. “Not every attention problem is ADHD.”

“Not every attention problem is ADHD.”

“We live in a culture that increasingly pathologizes normal human difficulties, and this should concern everyone,” Alpert said.

The study also highlighted a shift in who writes these prescriptions. While the number of stimulants prescribed by psychiatrists has remained relatively constant, there has been a significant increase in prescriptions by primary care providers and nurse practitioners.

As of June 2024, the monthly rate of stimulants distributed to adults reached 10.4 per 1,000 people; this has increased more than sevenfold since the study period began in 2016. (iStock)

According to Keyashian, the rise of large telehealth companies during the pandemic may be a contributing factor; because there may have actually been an increase in diagnoses for individuals without ADHD.

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“The drug should treat a disorder, not be a performance enhancer,” Alpert said. “Over time, this can lead to psychological trust and reinforce the idea that normal struggles require medical solutions.”

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The researchers acknowledged some limitations of the study, including lack of access to detailed medical records and uncertainty about whether these findings apply to all geographic regions.

They noted that some stimulants may have been prescribed off-label as adjunctive treatments for depression or anxiety, which have also increased during the pandemic.

“Many people, especially women, are newly diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood.”

For those who suspect they may have ADHD, Keyashian recommends seeing a psychiatrist who is experienced with this specific diagnosis. “It is best to ask the physician you are seeing about their experience and expertise,” he advised.

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“Many people today feel mentally dispersed,” Alpert added. “The difficult part is to understand whether we are seeing more. [of the] disorder—or simply the cognitive strain of a world of extreme distraction.”

The research was published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.