New research has uncovered a dramatic surge in the use of medication to treat Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) among adults in the United Kingdom. The findings indicate that the proportion of individuals taking ADHD drugs has tripled over the past decade, rising from 0.12% in 2010 to 0.39% in 2023.
Sharpest Increase Among Women Over 25
The increase has been most pronounced among adults over the age of 25, where rates have escalated from a mere 0.01% in 2010 to approximately 0.2% in 2023. Academics from the University of Oxford have calculated that this represents more than a 20-fold increase among women and a 15-fold rise among men within this age bracket.
UK Leads European Trends
The study, published in The Lancet journal, analysed prescription data from nearly 200,000 people across five European nations: Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, and the UK. The authors noted, "We observed a dramatic rise in ADHD medication use among adults, especially among females." They further highlighted that the UK recorded the largest relative increase among the countries examined.
Growth in prescription rates was also observed among younger age groups, including children aged three to 11 and teenagers. Across all five nations, Methylphenidate—marketed under brand names such as Ritalin, Concerta, Delmosart, Equasym, and Medikinet—was the most widely prescribed ADHD medication.
Link to Increased Awareness and Antidepressant Use
Researchers attribute the rising prevalence to increased awareness of adult ADHD, particularly among women. The study also revealed that in the UK and Spain, over 70% of individuals over 25 had previously used antidepressants, suggesting a complex interplay within mental health treatment.
Implications for Healthcare and Policy
The research comes amid a global shortage of ADHD medications that began in September 2023. The authors suggest that better insight into prescribing trends could help forecast demand, enable faster responses, and mitigate the risk of future shortages.
In response to the growing demand for services, Health Secretary Wes Streeting commissioned an independent review in December 2025. This review will examine diagnosis rates and the support available for mental health, ADHD, and autism services across the UK.
