A record number of people in England are taking medication used to treat ADHD, data shows, underlining a surge in the number of diagnoses.
Almost 278,000 patients in England were prescribed central nervous system stimulants (CNS) and drugs to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) between April 2023 and March 2024, latest NHS Business Services Authority data shows.
That is almost five people in every 1,000, an increase of 18% from the four in every 1,000 recorded last year, and the highest number since records began in 2016. The main increase is among women, the data shows, mainly those aged 25-40.
During the same period, almost 3m CNS stimulants and drug prescriptions were dispensed in the community in England, another record since 2016 and 15% up from last year.
Experts said this was because more people were being diagnosed with ADHD, in particular young women, owing to greater awareness of symptoms. Discussion about ADHD is widespread on social media globally, with #ADHD attracting tens of billions of hits on TikTok.
Dr Heidi Phillips, the clinical adviser on neurodiversity for the Royal College of GPs, said the rise was a result of “increased awareness” and the “increased number of health professionals issuing prescriptions”.
She also said there had been more “mental health difficulties” since Covid. Although the number of people using this type of medication has been rising year on year, that increase has become steeper since 2021.
