The number of patients receiving ADHD medication in England has tripled in the past ten years, with diagnoses rising twice as fast among wealthier individuals and women. Women in their late 20s and early 30s are now receiving ADHD prescriptions at ten times the rate seen a decade ago, according to an analysis of NHS England data.
A report by The Sunday Times found that in 2024, approximately 248,000 people in England were prescribed ADHD medication, a significant increase from 81,000 in 2015. The data also revealed a shift in socioeconomic trends. In 2015, ADHD medication rates were nearly twice as high in the poorest areas compared to the wealthiest. However, that gap has since narrowed, with 49,071 prescriptions now issued in the richest regions and 52,262 in the poorest.
Historically, studies have shown ADHD to be more prevalent in lower-income communities. However, the latest figures indicate that diagnoses are increasing at a faster rate among wealthier individuals.
The most pronounced growth has been among adult women, with the number of women receiving ADHD medication rising from 4,300 in 2015 to 44,400 in 2024. Among patients in their late 40s, more women are now being medicated for the condition than men.
The surge in ADHD diagnoses comes amid the COVID-19 pandemic. It has also been accompanied by a rise in self-diagnosis and online searches for the disorder. A 2023 BBC investigation found that some patients were prescribed ADHD medication after unreliable online assessments. Experts warn that diagnosing ADHD is complex, as its symptoms—such as fidgeting, inattentiveness, and difficulty sitting still—can overlap with common traits shared by many people. Proper diagnosis, they emphasize, requires comprehensive medical evaluations and hours of interviews.
