Adult ADHD Treatment Soars Post-Pandemic, New Study Reveals

Adults are seeking ADHD treatment at record rates, according to a new Canadian study showing stimulant prescriptions have more than doubled since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The research, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, analyzed data spanning from January 2016 to June 2024 and found this trend mirrors similar surges in the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, and Finland.

By June 2024, the monthly rate of adults prescribed stimulants reached 10.4 per 1,000 people—a more than sevenfold increase since the beginning of the study period. The demographic profile of recipients has shifted dramatically as well. Before the pandemic, 48% of new recipients were female; that figure jumped to 59% during the pandemic, with the most significant growth occurring among adults aged 25 to 34.

Mental health professionals say these findings align with what they’re witnessing in their clinical practices.

“In my practice and that of many of my colleagues, many people, particularly women, have received a new diagnosis of ADHD, usually inattentive subtype, in adulthood,” said Dr. Nissa Keyashian, a California-based board-certified psychiatrist and author of “Practicing Stillness.”

Keyashian, who was not involved in the study, explained that many women had symptoms that were overlooked during childhood. Unlike the hyperactive or impulsive behaviors often seen in boys, the “inattentive subtype” typically causes fewer disruptions at home or school.

“Many only begin to struggle when they move out, are on their own and have to provide that structure for themselves,” Keyashian noted.

The study also found that the time between a patient’s first ADHD-related healthcare visit and their first prescription shortened during the pandemic. While this could signal more efficient care, the researchers raised questions about whether patients are receiving thorough evaluations before medication is prescribed.

Jonathan Alpert, a New York City psychotherapist and author of “Therapy Nation,” cautions about potential overdiagnosis. He regularly sees adult patients struggling with focus, productivity, and mental overload in what he describes as a “very demanding digital environment.”

“Those challenges can resemble ADHD, but they don’t always reflect an actual diagnosis,” Alpert told Fox News Digital. “Not every attention problem is ADHD. We’re living in a culture that increasingly pathologizes normal human difficulty, and that should be concerning to everyone.”

The research highlighted another significant shift: while the number of stimulants prescribed by psychiatrists remained relatively stable, there was a marked increase in prescriptions from primary care providers and nurse practitioners. This change in prescribing patterns coincides with the rise of telehealth services during the pandemic.

Dr. Keyashian suggested the rise of large telehealth companies during the pandemic could be contributing to the trend, possibly resulting in diagnoses for individuals who don’t actually have ADHD.

“Medication should treat a disorder, not become a performance enhancer,” Alpert emphasized. “Over time, that can lead to psychological reliance and reinforce the idea that normal struggles require medical solutions.”

The researchers acknowledged several limitations to their study, including lack of access to detailed medical records and uncertainty about whether these findings apply universally across all geographic regions. They also noted that some stimulants may have been prescribed off-label as adjunctive treatments for depression or anxiety, conditions that also surged during the pandemic.

For those who suspect they may have ADHD, Keyashian recommends consulting a psychiatrist with specific expertise in ADHD diagnosis. “It’s best to ask the physician you are seeing about their experience and expertise,” she advised.

Alpert offered a closing perspective on the broader implications: “Many people today feel mentally scattered. The challenge is figuring out whether we’re seeing more disorder—or simply the cognitive strain of a hyper-distracted world.”