Study finds dramatic increase in ADHD medication use

Dr. Daniel Myran, family physician, ICES scientist, and Research Chair in Family and Community Medicine at North York GeneralThe upward trend in prescriptions around the world highlights an important challenge. On one hand, it is likely showing progress towards identifying and treating ADHD in groups who have historically been underdiagnosed. However, the size of the increases also raises concerns about mis- or over-diagnosis, which can result in exposure to adverse side effects of medications and a missed opportunity to treat other mental health conditions."

Key findings: 

The authors suggest several explanations for the increase in stimulant prescribing. First, that there has been a true rise in the number of individuals with symptoms of ADHD or ADHD, possibly related to changing social and environmental conditions such as greater use of screens and online content engagement for work and recreation. Second, improvement in the identification of undiagnosed ADHD, particularly in groups historically less recognized for ADHD. Third, misdiagnosis or overdiagnosis.

"With around seven per cent of children and a nearly three-fold increase in adults being prescribed stimulants for ADHD than before the pandemic, ongoing research and clear clinical guidance are essential to ensuring these medications are used safely and appropriately," says Dr. Yaron Finkelstein, Staff Physician, Senior Scientist in the Child Health Evaluative Sciences program, Canada Research Chair in Pediatric Drug Safety and Efficacy, and the study's senior author.

Source:

Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences

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