The number of adults in the UK taking medication for Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has increased sharply over the past decade, with the fastest growth seen among women, according to new academic research.
A major study led by researchers from the University of Oxford shows that ADHD medication use in the UK has more than tripled since 2010. In that year, only around 0.12% of people were prescribed ADHD drugs. By 2023, this figure had risen to 0.39%.
Adult diagnoses drive surge in prescriptions
The biggest increase was among adults aged over 25. In 2010, just 0.01% of people in this age group were taking ADHD medication. By 2023, that figure had climbed to about 0.2%.
Researchers say this reflects a major shift in how ADHD is understood and diagnosed, particularly in adults who were not identified during childhood.
Among adults over 25, prescriptions increased more than 20 times for women and about 15 times for men over the study period. Experts say women are being diagnosed later in life because ADHD symptoms in girls have historically been overlooked or misunderstood.
UK sees fastest growth among European countries
The study analysed prescription data from nearly 200,000 people across five European countries: the UK, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands and Spain. More than 31,000 of those analysed were based in the UK.
The findings, published in the medical journal The Lancet, show that the UK recorded the largest relative rise in ADHD medication use among all the countries studied. Increases were also seen among children and teenagers, but growth among adults was far more dramatic.
The authors noted that awareness of adult ADHD has grown rapidly in recent years, leading more people to seek assessments and treatment.
Link with antidepressant use
Researchers also found that in the UK and Spain, more than 70% of people over the age of 25 who were prescribed ADHD medication had previously taken antidepressants.
This suggests that many adults may have initially been treated for anxiety or depression before receiving an ADHD diagnosis. Specialists say this is common, as untreated ADHD can contribute to mental health difficulties.
Most prescribed ADHD medication
Across all five countries, the most commonly prescribed ADHD drug was methylphenidate. It is sold under several brand names, including:
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Ritalin
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Concerta
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Delmosart
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Equasym
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Medikinet
These medications are stimulants that help improve focus, attention and impulse control in people with ADHD.
Global medication shortages raise concern
The researchers also highlighted ongoing global shortages of ADHD medications, which have affected the UK since late 2023. They warned that rapidly rising demand, especially among adults, has made supply problems worse.
The study says better monitoring of prescription trends could help health systems predict demand more accurately, respond faster, and reduce the risk of future shortages.
Government review underway
The growing demand for ADHD treatment has already drawn attention from the UK government. Health Secretary Wes Streeting previously announced an independent review into rising demand for mental health, ADHD and autism services.
The review is expected to examine diagnosis rates, waiting times, access to support, and whether current services are meeting patient needs.
A changing understanding of ADHD
Experts say the findings reflect a broader change in how ADHD is viewed. Once considered mainly a childhood condition affecting boys, ADHD is now recognised as a lifelong condition that affects people of all genders.
Researchers stress that while medication can be highly effective for many patients, access to timely diagnosis, psychological support and wider mental health services remains essential as demand continues to grow.
FAQs
Why is ADHD medication use increasing in the UK?
ADHD medication use is rising mainly due to better awareness of adult ADHD, improved diagnosis, and more people seeking support for symptoms that were previously untreated.
Are more adults being diagnosed with ADHD?
Research shows a sharp increase in ADHD diagnoses among adults, particularly those over 25, as understanding of adult ADHD has improved in recent years.
Which ADHD medications are most commonly prescribed?
Methylphenidate-based medicines, such as Ritalin and Concerta, are the most commonly prescribed ADHD treatments in the UK and across Europe.
Is the rise in ADHD medication linked to mental health awareness?
Experts say growing mental health awareness, reduced stigma, and better access to healthcare services have contributed to more people seeking ADHD assessments and treatment.
Is there a shortage of ADHD medication in the UK?
Yes. Global supply issues since 2023 have led to shortages of some ADHD medications, prompting concerns about access and continuity of treatment.
