As wereported here earlier today, more adults are receiving medication treatment for ADHD. The study, which appeared in the May 2007 issue of Journal of Attention Disorders, looked at pharmacy claims data to measure the change in ADHD medication prescriptions from 2000 to 2005.

The researchers found that 4.4% of children were being prescribed ADHD medications. 0.8% of individuals 20 and over (adults, in this study), were being prescribed ADHD medications.

During the period of the study, treatment prevalence increased rapidly (11.8% per year) for the population as a whole. Treatment rates grew more rapidly for adults than for children, more rapidly for women than for men, and more rapidly for girls than for boys.

The researchers conclude that it was the “improved identification of ADHD in adult and female patients [that] has contributed to rapid growth in ADHD medication use.” No comments about whether ADHD is being overdiagnosed, just an analysis of insurance data. Interesting nonetheless.

Source: Castle, L. et. al. (2007). Trends in Medication Treatment for ADHD. Journal of Attention Disorders, Vol. 10, No. 4, 335-342.

Dr. John Grohol is the CEO and founder of Psych Central. He is an author, researcher and expert in mental health online, and has been writing about online behavior, mental health and psychology issues -- as well as the intersection of technology and human behavior -- since 1992. Dr. Grohol sits on the editorial board of the journal Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking and is a founding board member and treasurer of the Society for Participatory Medicine.

Like this author?
Catch up on other posts by John M. Grohol, PsyD (or subscribe to their feed).

Comments

This post currently has 2 comments. You can read the comments or leave your own thoughts on our new comments page.

Trackbacks

No trackbacks yet to this post.

    Last reviewed: By John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on 12 Jun 2007
    Published on PsychCentral.com. All rights reserved.