The number of adults using prescription drugs to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in the UK has risen sharply in recent years, data released today shows.
The most pronounced increase is observed in adult women, where the use of these medications has increased up to twenty-fold.
A new study led by academics at the University of Oxford finds that the use of ADHD medication has more than tripled in Britain between 2010 and 2023. The researchers analysed electronic health records of over 198 people in Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain and the United Kingdom, over a 14-year period.
During this time, the use of ADHD medications increased in all countries included in the study. The increase was particularly high in the United Kingdom, where the prevalence tripled, while in the Netherlands it doubled.
Professor Xintong Li, a data scientist and lead author of the study, said the increase was consistent across Europe, but was most pronounced in adults, especially women. She said the findings reflect increased awareness and diagnosis of ADHD in adults, but also raise important questions about long-term treatment and healthcare needs.
The largest increases were observed in the over-25 age group, where the gender gap has gradually narrowed over time. In the UK, the prevalence of ADHD medication use in this age group increased more than twenty-fold in women and about fifteen-fold in men.
Writing in the scientific journal The Lancet Regional Health, Professor Daniel Prieto-Alhambra, an epidemiologist and senior author of the study, stressed that understanding how these drugs are used in clinical practice is essential for planning health services. He added that the data helps health systems predict demand and reduce the risk of drug shortages, as well as identify groups that need closer monitoring.
Methylphenidate – known by brand names such as Ritalin, Concerta and Delmosart – remained the most commonly used ADHD medication in all countries studied. Meanwhile, newer stimulants such as lisdexamfetamine saw steady growth in use after market approval.
The researchers say the increase in medication use in adults reflects the growing recognition of ADHD as a lifelong condition. However, they caution that treatment adherence after initiation remains relatively low.
The study also cites the growing interest in ADHD on social media, as well as the impact of the pandemic, which led to a near doubling of prescriptions for these medications. Despite this, the authors emphasize that medication use remains significantly lower than the estimated prevalence of ADHD in the population.
Globally, ADHD is estimated to affect about 8 percent of children and adolescents and about 3 percent of adults. Researchers point out that, while not all people with ADHD need pharmacological treatment, a significant proportion of them may not receive it.
The study also notes that many people who use ADHD medications also take antidepressants and psycholeptics, drugs that have a calming effect on the central nervous system. Over 70 percent of adults over 25 in the United Kingdom and Spain had received a prescription for antidepressants. Other common comorbid conditions before starting ADHD treatment included anxiety and asthma. Depression and anxiety were about twice as common in women, while a higher prevalence of autism was observed in men.
The authors conclude that continuous monitoring of usage patterns is necessary to predict demand and avoid future drug shortages, which have been problematic since September 2023 due to increased demand and manufacturing difficulties.
The news follows the announcement by the British Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, who in December last year announced the launch of an independent review into the growing demand for mental health services, ADHD and autism. The review is expected to analyze diagnosis rates and gaps in the support provided.
According to NHS data, cases of mental health problems and ADHD have risen sharply over the past two decades. The British government believes there is some evidence of overdiagnosis, with people ending up on waiting lists without actually needing treatment.
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder in which the connections between different areas of the brain function differently than in neurotypical individuals. This manifests itself in difficulties with concentration, impulsivity, hyperactivity, sleep problems, and executive functions, important for planning and following instructions.
According to NHS Digital estimates, by November 2025, around 2.5 million people in England are thought to have ADHD, including those without a formal diagnosis. These estimates are based on data from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), which shows that ADHD affects around 4 per cent of adults and 5 per cent of children and young people. /GazetaExpress/
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