The number of adults being prescribed medication for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has reached a record high in the UK, with prescriptions for the condition rising by 41,000 in just three months. Between April and June of this year, an estimated 395,000 patients received ADHD pills, marking a 12 percent increase over the quarter. This surge represents a nearly fivefold rise from the approximately 81,000 patients on such medication a decade ago.
The total number of patients taking stimulant drugs for ADHD has also seen a dramatic increase, rising by 40 percent in the past year and doubling within three years. The overall number of prescriptions issued between January and June reached 2.4 million, indicating that this year's total is on track to surpass last year's record of 4.2 million.
Experts attribute this rapid growth in demand, at least in part, to the 'medicalisation of distress,' suggesting that behaviors once considered normal are increasingly being interpreted as requiring medical treatment. NHS England estimates that around 2.5 million people in England may have ADHD, with the majority yet to receive a formal diagnosis. Cases have reportedly increased about 20-fold over the last two decades, and referrals for specialist appointments rose by 20 percent in the past year alone.
By March of this year, there were more than 803,000 open referrals for ADHD assessments. The significant increase in adult diagnoses and prescriptions has been a key driver of this trend. In the 2025/26 period, 267,000 adults aged 18 and over were prescribed ADHD medications, a rise of over 40 percent in a single year. Social media platforms and influencers discussing their ADHD experiences have also contributed to greater awareness and encouraged more individuals to seek assessment.
The latest figures indicate that more people are initiating treatment rather than existing patients receiving higher doses, as prescription volumes have increased more steadily than the number of patients. While advocates see this as a positive development, helping individuals who previously lacked access to appropriate care, officials have expressed concerns about the rapid escalation in demand.
In response to the growing trends, the government commissioned a review into neurodevelopmental conditions, including ADHD and autism, which concluded in March. The review found that diagnoses were increasingly being sought as a means to access educational support, such as extra time in exams. Its authors warned that the medicalization of stress could lead to diagnosis becoming the default route for support, even when alternative pathways might be more suitable.
The increase in prescriptions has also led to a rise in spending on ADHD medications. Total spending on drugs like methylphenidate and dexamfetamine increased by nearly 12 percent in the last quarter, reaching £56 million compared to £50 million in the preceding quarter.
Amidst the rise in prescriptions, concerns have been raised regarding potential deadly side effects of some ADHD medications. In July, campaigners highlighted that many patients starting ADHD medication might have undiagnosed heart defects, which affect approximately one in 300 individuals, putting them at risk of serious complications. This warning followed an inquest that linked the stimulant ADHD medication Elvanse to the sudden cardiac arrest of a 28-year-old man. The medication was listed as a cause of death after his dosage was increased, six months after his ADHD diagnosis.