A recent study has revealed a dramatic increase in the number of adult women in the UK being prescribed medication for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Between 2010 and 2023, ADHD medication use among adults more than tripled in the UK, with women experiencing a rise of more than twenty-fold in prescriptions.
The research, conducted by academics from the University of Oxford, analyzed electronic health records from over 198,000 individuals across several European countries, including Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, and the UK. The study was published on January 21, 2026, in the journal The Lancet Regional Health.
The findings indicate a consistent increase in ADHD medication use across Europe, particularly among adults. Professor Xintong Li, the lead author of the study, noted that the most significant changes were observed in adult women. “We observed a consistent increase in ADHD medication use across Europe, but the most striking changes were among adults, especially women,” he stated.
The data showed that the most pronounced increases were among adults aged 25 and older. In the UK, the overall prevalence of ADHD medication use rose more than twenty-fold in women and fifteen-fold in men. This shift may reflect a growing awareness and diagnosis of adult ADHD, but it also raises concerns about long-term treatment patterns and care needs.
According to Professor Daniel Prieto-Alhambra, an epidemiologist and senior author of the study, understanding the real-world use of ADHD medications is crucial for effective healthcare planning. He emphasized that the findings could help health systems anticipate demand, thereby reducing the risk of future medication shortages, which have been ongoing since September 2023 due to increased demand and manufacturing challenges.
Methylphenidate, marketed under brand names such as Ritalin, Concerta, and Delmosart, remains the most commonly prescribed ADHD medication across all countries. Newer stimulant medications, such as lisdexamfetamine, have also shown a steady increase in use following their approval.
The researchers highlighted that while ADHD medications are increasingly recognized as necessary for adults, the continuation of treatment after initiation remains relatively low. The study also pointed to a significant rise in online interest regarding ADHD, particularly on social media platforms, as well as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which contributed to nearly doubling the number of prescriptions for ADHD medications.
Despite the increase in prescriptions, the researchers cautioned that the overall prevalence of medication use remains significantly lower than the estimated prevalence of ADHD itself. Globally, ADHD affects approximately 8 percent of children and adolescents and about 3 percent of adults. They noted that while not all individuals with ADHD require medication, a substantial number may not be receiving pharmacological treatment.
The study found that a considerable proportion of adults using ADHD medication also received prescriptions for antidepressants and psycholeptics, which are used to calm the central nervous system. In the UK and Spain, over 70 percent of adults aged 25 and older had been prescribed antidepressants, indicating a complex interplay between ADHD and other mental health conditions.
The prevalence of depression and anxiety was found to be approximately twice as high in females compared to males, while men exhibited a higher prevalence of autism. The researchers concluded that ongoing monitoring of ADHD medication usage patterns is essential to anticipate future demand and mitigate shortages.
The findings come as Health Secretary Wes Streeting announced an independent review into the rising demand for mental health services, including ADHD and autism services. The review aims to assess diagnosis rates and identify gaps in support. NHS figures indicate that the rates of mental health issues and ADHD have significantly increased over the past two decades, with some evidence suggesting over-diagnosis in certain cases.
Streeting emphasized the need for an evidence-based understanding of these issues to ensure timely access to accurate diagnoses and effective support. The ongoing rise in ADHD prescription rates, particularly among adult women, illustrates the changing landscape of mental health care and the importance of addressing these needs comprehensively.
