Explosion of ADHD Diagnoses: The Impact of the Pandemic and the Digital World

Between 2019 and 2024, ADHD prescriptions in England increased significantly, rising from 25 to 41.55 per 1,000 people. Methylphenidate was the most commonly prescribed drug, but lisdexamfetamine saw the biggest increase, rising 55% year-on-year. The increase varied by region, with London seeing the highest increase (28%) and the North East and Yorkshire seeing the lowest increase (13%), revealing inequalities in access to diagnosis and treatment.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterised by inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity. ADHD is a common disorder affecting around 7% of children worldwide and a growing number of adults.

Diagnosis is clinical, made by healthcare professionals based on specific criteria, taking into account persistent symptoms from childhood and their impact on daily life.

Although behavioral interventions are recommended, medications such as stimulants (methylphenidate and lisdexamfetamine) and nonstimulants (atomoxetine and guanfacine) are often prescribed to help regulate attention and impulse control, improving patients' quality of life.

Since the pandemic, the number of prescriptions for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in England has increased by an average of 18% per year. This increase appears to be linked to increased awareness of the condition, driven in part by social media, and the psychological impact of COVID-19.

However, this growth has not been uniform across the country. Some regions have seen a large increase in prescriptions, while others have seen much smaller growth, highlighting inequalities in access to diagnosis and treatment.

In the UK, there are five approved medications for treatment: three stimulants (methylphenidate, dexamphetamine and lisdexamfetamine) and two non-stimulants (atomoxetine and guanfacine). When there is no access to behavioural therapies, these medications play a key role in managing symptoms.

Researchers analysed information on ADHD prescriptions in England between 2019 and 2024. Before the pandemic, there were around 25 prescriptions for every 1,000 people.

In 2023-2024, this figure jumped to 41.55. The most prescribed drug remained methylphenidate, but lisdexamfetamine saw the biggest increase, with a 55% year-on-year increase.

Prescriptions increased in all seven regions of the country, but there were marked differences. London saw the biggest year-on-year increase (28%), while the North East and Yorkshire saw the smallest (13%). Furthermore, at a local level, some areas such as Birmingham and Solihull saw increases of over 50%, while Norfolk and Waveney saw just 4.5%.

Researchers point to a number of reasons for this growth:

- Greater awareness of ADHD, driven by social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram, which have led more people to seek diagnosis and treatment.

- Psychological impacts of the pandemic, which may have worsened ADHD symptoms or led more people to seek help.

- Socioeconomic factors, such as inequality in access to health care, which may explain regional differences in the numbers.

The study reinforces the need for policies that ensure more balanced access to treatment for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder throughout the country. It also warns about the importance of filtering and regulating information about the disorder on social media, to prevent the spread of misinformation.

The researchers emphasize that it is not yet clear whether this increase in prescriptions will be a lasting trend or just a reflection of the post-pandemic period.

But one thing is certain: better understanding the reasons for this growth is essential to ensure that all people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder receive the necessary support.

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Socioeconomic status and prescribing of ADHD medications: a study of ICB-level data in England

Muhammad Umair Khan and Syed Shahzad Hasan 

BMJ Ment Health. 2025 Mar 11;28(1):e301384. 

doi: 10.1136/bmjment-2024-301384.

Abstract: 

Little is known about the impact of healthcare structural changes and socioeconomic indices, such as deprivation, mental health needs, and inequalities, on attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medication prescribing across different regions in England. The objective was to examine trends in ADHD medication prescribing and explore their association with socioeconomic factors. A population-level observational study was conducted using the English Prescribing Dataset (from April 2019 to March 2024) published by the NHS Business Services Authority and the OpenPrescribing platform (Bennett Institute for Applied Data Science, University of Oxford). The study examined trends in five licensed ADHD medications at national, regional and integrated care board (ICB) levels, using linear regression and a generalised additive model to explore the association between socioeconomic factors and prescription rates. The prescriptions increased significantly from 25.17 items per 1000 population in 2019/20 (pre-COVID-19) to 41.55 items in 2023/24 (post-COVID-19), with an average annual increase of 18% nationally. Methylphenidate remained the most prescribed medication, while lisdexamfetamine showed the highest growth rate (55% annually, 95% CI 40% to 71%, p<0.01). Significant regional variations were observed, with London experiencing the highest annual increase (28%), and the Northeast and Yorkshire the lowest (13%). Socioeconomic factors, including ethnicity and deprivation, were significantly associated with ADHD prescription rates (p<0.05). Findings reveal a substantial increase in ADHD medication use in England following the COVID-19 pandemic, with significant variations at regional and ICB levels and complex socioeconomic influences. Findings highlight the need to understand and address drivers of disparities in ADHD care while optimising management strategies across diverse populations.