- Prescriptions for ADHD drugs among middle-aged women in England surged by 40% over the past year, contributing to an overall 31% increase in ADHD prescriptions across all demographics.
- Adults aged 18 and over experienced a 40% rise in ADHD medication prescriptions, with significant increases observed in women aged 50-59.
- Experts attribute this rise to a growing recognition of how ADHD presents in women, often characterized by inattentiveness and anxiety rather than hyperactivity, and a reduction in stigma.
- Many middle-aged adults, particularly women, are seeking diagnoses now because ADHD was only formally recognized for adults by the NHS in 2008, leading to missed diagnoses in childhood.
- Despite increased awareness and diagnoses, over 800,000 people in England are currently awaiting an ADHD assessment referral, highlighting a significant healthcare gap that the NHS is working to address.
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