There are more people than ever being diagnosed with ADHD, more commonly known as ADHD, according to new data.
Drug prescriptions to treat the condition are also on the rise. According to the NHS Business Services Authority, there was a seven percent increase between April and June alone.
A total of 2.23 million ADHD medications were dispensed from July 2021 to June 2022, a huge increase from 1.31 million prescriptions in 2015.
Drug prescriptions to treat the condition are also on the rise. According to the NHS Business Services Authority, there was a seven percent increase between April and June alone.
Most cases are diagnosed in children between the ages of three and seven, but sometimes the diagnosis is made later in childhood.
Last year, 162,000 patients took at least one prescription ADHD medication, an increase of approximately 53% over the 106,000 patients identified in 2015.
Speaking to Pulse medical journal, family doctors said many patients had been diagnosed with ADHD by private clinics and then approached NHS services to request a prescription and be checked out.
ADHD is a mental disorder that affects behavior. People with this condition feel restless, have trouble concentrating, and may act impulsively.
The exact cause is unknown, but the condition has been shown to be familiar.
Research also shows that people with ADHD have differences in their brains compared to those without the condition.
Most cases are diagnosed in children between the ages of three and seven, but sometimes the diagnosis is made later in childhood.
People with ADHD may also have additional problems, such as sleep and anxiety disorders.
Many adults have also been diagnosed, said Professor Azeem Majeed, a public health expert at Imperial College London.
He said: “The NHS waiting lists for ADHD assessment are very long, sometimes years, and many people with possible ADHD symptoms turn to private clinics for a diagnosis.
“Private clinics often do not offer the same level of support as NHS clinics, which puts more pressure on GPs.”
Dr. Selvaseelan Selvarajah, MD, primary care physician at Bromley-by-Bow Health in Tower Hamlets, London, told Pulse: “We’ve seen a rapid increase in patients who come to us with suspected ADHD.
“Many go to private psychiatrists. They come back to us for psychiatrist-initiated drugs, and we need to continue that and check patients on a regular basis.’
Source: Daily Mail
Errol Villanueva is an author and lifestyle journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a passion for exploring the latest trends in fashion, food, travel, and wellness, Errol’s articles are a must-read for anyone interested in living a stylish and fulfilling life.
