ADHD symptoms made worse by lockdowns, say health chiefs

Number of people treated for attention deficit soars by 80 per cent as charities blame Covid measures

THE number of people being treated for attention deficit disorder has risen by 80 per cent in five years – with a sharp rise in prescriptions of medication to adults, official figures show.

Experts said the statistics reflect rising awareness of the condition, which they say had been mischaracterised as an excuse for “naughty children”.

Charities said the number of adults in search of a diagnosis has soared since the first lockdown, with lack of structures, and anxiety about Covid or jobs exacerbating problems. The ADHD Foundation said its own figures, due to be published next month, suggest a 400 per cent increase in the number of adults seeking a diagnosis since 2020.

NHS prescribing data shows a 40 per cent rise in prescriptions between 201516 and 2020-21 – from 1.31 million items to 1.83 million items.

The figures also show an 80 per cent rise in patients with the disorder over the same period.

The data reveal that the sharpest rise in prescriptions is occurring among older age group, with increases in the over-40s far outpacing those of younger groups.

The NHS figures show the majority of drugs prescribed are still for children and teenagers, with 98,745 prescriptions issued in England in 2020/21 – a rise of 35 per cent in five years.

But the rise is sharper still among older age groups. The statistics show 20,223 items for ADHD issued among those aged 40 and over in 2020/21 – a 62 per cent rise from 2015/16.

The drugs prescribed include Modafinil, also used to treat narcolepsy, and methylphenidate hydrochloride, sold under the brand names Ritalin and Concerta.

The published figures from NHS Business Services Authority show the number of patients receiving such prescriptions has risen from 106,000 in 2015/16 to 191,000 in 2021/22.

But experts said the number of people who have the condition is likely to be far larger, with estimates suggesting that more than 2.6 million people in the UK may have symptoms of ADHD.

Mental health experts said the trends reflected rising awareness that the condition could affect adults. But they said the condition was still often missed, with symptoms such as difficulties concentrating sometimes mistaken for depression, in older patients.

Tony Lloyd, chief executive and founder of the ADHD Foundation, said “stigmatising and unfounded” myths suggesting that medication for attention deficit was a “morality pill” that “makes naughty children behave” had deterred many from seeking help.

Research had found that up to a third of business owners and entrepreneurs have either ADHD or dyslexia, he said.

“The impact of the pandemic has increased demand as many of those undiagnosed who were managing their ADHD successfully struggled, because their self-care regimen of routines, structures, daily exercise, workplace support and healthy lifestyles were disrupted by lockdown constraints.”

Jan Gerber, chief executive and founder of mental health clinic Paracelsus Recovery, said: “Lockdowns may also have contributed to an aggravation of milder ADHD symptoms. Anxiety, boredom and other factors are likely to make ADHD symptoms worse.”

Mr Gerber added that home schooling may also have meant parents picked up on signs that might otherwise have been missed.

‘Lockdowns may also have contributed to an aggravation of milder ADHD symptoms’