A landmark study has revealed a seismic shift in the treatment of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) among adults in the United Kingdom, with medication rates soaring twenty-fold since 2010. The research, led by academics from the University of Oxford, indicates that this dramatic increase has been predominantly driven by women seeking diagnosis and treatment later in life.
Unprecedented Rise in Medication Rates
The analysis of electronic health records from the UK and several European nations shows that while only 0.01 per cent of Britons over the age of 25 were medicated for ADHD in 2010, this figure skyrocketed to 0.2 per cent by 2023. This represents the highest relative increase observed among all the countries studied, including Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, and Spain.
The most striking finding centres on gender disparities. The data illustrates a more than 20-fold increase in medication rates for females within this age bracket, compared to a 15-fold increase for males. For women over 25 specifically, rates surged from 0.01 per cent to 0.2 per cent, mirroring the national trend.
A Shift in Understanding and Diagnosis
Experts attribute this sharp rise among women to a growing clinical and public understanding of how ADHD symptoms manifest differently across genders. Historically, diagnostic criteria were often based on presentations more common in boys, such as hyperactive behaviour.
In contrast, women and girls frequently exhibit more internalised symptoms, like inattentiveness, which were overlooked. This gender-related socialisation has led to a generation of women who were missed in childhood assessments, only to seek and receive diagnoses as adults, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic which heightened awareness of neurodiversity and mental health.
Concerning Trends in Treatment Adherence
Despite the surge in prescriptions, the study uncovered a significant challenge in long-term treatment adherence. The research found that only 31 per cent of UK patients prescribed ADHD medication remained on their treatment after one year. This dropout rate was even more pronounced in Germany, where just 15 per cent continued.
This high discontinuation rate suggests many individuals struggle to find the correct treatment balance or manage side-effects. Interestingly, the study noted that those who did persist with medication often had a prior history of using antidepressants. This indicates that patients with more complex, co-occurring mental health needs might be the most likely to secure and maintain consistent support.
The Ongoing Treatment Gap and NHS Pressures
The report underscores that ADHD rarely exists in isolation, yet the condition remains significantly undertreated. Global estimates suggest around 3 per cent of adults have ADHD, a prevalence far exceeding current treatment rates in the UK. The authors conclude that while not every individual requires medication, a substantial gap persists between need and clinical help.
These findings emerge as the National Health Service grapples with a severe crisis in neurodiversity services. Patients across the UK face record-long waiting lists, often enduring waits of several years just for an assessment to confirm a diagnosis and access any form of support.
Health officials have issued stark warnings, stating that without urgent investment in diagnostic capacity, a substantial proportion of adults will continue to be denied treatment. This lack of access creates significant barriers to workplace stability and overall mental wellbeing.
The authors, publishing in The Lancet, have called for a radical re-evaluation of how adult neurodiversity is managed in the UK. They caution that the current rapid increase in prescriptions is merely the visible tip of a much larger, and growing, public health challenge that demands immediate and coordinated action.
