London: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) treatment patterns across Europe have changed significantly over the past decade, with the UK showing the sharpest rise in medication use.
A study led by researchers from the University of Oxford has analysed electronic health records from Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain and the UK, tracking prescriptions between 2010 and 2023. The findings have revealed that the proportion of people in the UK using ADHD medication rose more than threefold, from 0.12 percent to 0.39 percent.
The research has shown that increases were recorded in all five countries, but the scale of growth in the UK stood out. In the Netherlands, medication prevalence more than doubled, from 0.67 percent to 1.56 percent. The analysis covered commonly prescribed drugs including methylphenidate, dexamphetamine, lisdexamfetamine, atomoxetine and guanfacine. Methylphenidate remained the most widely used treatment across all nations.
Adult use of ADHD medication has risen sharply, particularly among women. In the UK, the proportion of people aged 25 and above receiving medication increased from 0.01 percent in 2010 to 0.20 percent in 2023. This represented more than a 20-fold rise among women and around a 15-fold increase among men. Although treatment remained more common among males, the gender gap narrowed steadily over time and with increasing age.
The lead author, Xintong Li from the University of Oxford, said that the findings reflected growing recognition and diagnosis of adult ADHD, but also raised important questions about long-term treatment patterns and healthcare planning. The study suggested that ADHD was increasingly being seen as a lifelong condition, rather than one limited to childhood.
Despite the sharp rise in medication use, researchers noted that treatment rates were still far below the estimated prevalence of ADHD itself. Globally, ADHD is believed to affect around 8 percent of children and adolescents and about 3 percent of adults. This indicated that a substantial number of people who may benefit from treatment were not receiving medication, although the researchers stressed that not everyone with ADHD requires drug therapy.
The study also found that continuation of medication after initial prescription was relatively low and varied significantly between countries. While newer drugs such as lisdexamfetamine and guanfacine have seen steady uptake since approval, long-term adherence remained inconsistent. This highlighted the complexity of managing ADHD and the importance of follow-up care and personalised treatment strategies.
In the UK, growing demand has placed additional strain on healthcare services. Reports have shown that the National Health Service is overspending by £164 million a year on ADHD services, with total projected spending more than double existing budgets. An increasing share of this expenditure has been directed towards unregulated private assessments, while spending on private ADHD services has more than tripled in the past three years.
Senior author Professor Daniel Prieto-Alhambra said that understanding real-world medication use was essential for future healthcare planning. The data could help systems anticipate demand, reduce the risk of shortages and identify groups that may need closer monitoring. Researchers also warned that parts of Europe were already facing ADHD medication shortages, underlining the urgency of coordinated healthcare strategies.
Overall, the findings have demonstrated how awareness and diagnosis of ADHD have expanded rapidly, especially among adults. They have also emphasised the need for long-term planning to ensure that health services can support rising demand while maintaining safe and effective treatment pathways.
ALSO READ | Measles outbreak in South Carolina puts US elimination status at risk
