London has recorded the highest increase in prescriptions for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medication in the UK since the pandemic, new research has found.
The recent study by researchers at Aston University and the University of Huddersfield found that while ADHD prescriptions had “increased significantly” across the country, the capital recorded the largest spike.
According to their research, there was a 28% annual increase in ADHD prescriptions across London, in comparison to a national 18% rise in medication prescriptions.
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ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that can display symptoms of disorganisation, impulsiveness and difficulty in focusing, among other things. There are various ways people choose to manage their symptoms, one of which is medication.
To reach their conclusions, researchers looked at the prescribing data for the five currently licensed ADHD drugs at national and regional levels to understand how much of an increase there had been in the past few years.
Most medications for ADHD are designed to help people focus their thoughts, with frequently prescribed drugs in the UK including methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta and Delmosart), dexamfetamine, lisdexamfetamine, atomoxetine and guanfacine.
The study revealed that national ADHD prescriptions had risen from 25 per 1,000 people in 2019/2020 to 44.55 prescriptions in 2023/2024. However, there were also considerable variations at a regional level.
London recorded the largest annual increase (28%), followed by southeast England (19.5%), while the lowest increase in ADHD medication was recorded in the northeast and Yorkshire (13%).
Researchers have suggested that a mix of reasons may have contributed to these figures, including a greater public awareness and spread of information on social media.
“Platforms like TikTok and Instagram have become new hubs for ADHD campaigns, with thousands of people sharing their experiences, coping strategies and journey to diagnosis,” the researchers said.
They warned, however, that “misinformation on these platforms may lead to misconceptions about symptoms, diagnosis and treatment”.
Those behind the study also suggested that there might be a “strong association between the impact of the (Covid) pandemic and the worsening of ADHD symptoms”.
Although more research is needed, experts implied that altered routines increased the stress levels of people across the country and may have made people’s symptoms more noticeable, leading to diagnosis.
As studies into ADHD trends continue, scientists noted that the latest findings are encouraging as they suggest more people are getting the treatment they need.
“The findings of this study have significant implications for health policy and clinical practice,” the report read.
“The significant rise in ADHD prescriptions across England highlights the urgent need for policies that address both regional and socioeconomic disparities in ADHD care access. The finding that more people are receiving ADHD treatment is encouraging, particularly given reports of long waiting times between ADHD referral and assessment, as well as variations across different regions in England.”
