More than 400,000 people are taking drugs for the common neurodevelopmental disorder, as awareness rises among doctors and the public.
The number of Australians being prescribed medication for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder has more than doubled in five years, with new figures showing more than 400,000 people now take drugs for the common neurodevelopmental disorder as awareness rises among doctors and the public.
Doctors said the data showed a backlog of undiagnosed cases was finally being addressed by the health system as both the community and doctors learnt more about ADHD, which affects 6 to 10 per cent of Australian children and 2 to 6 per cent of adults. Methylphenidate, often sold under the brand name Ritalin, was the most common medicine – it was dispensed to Australians more than 1.2 million times last year – and the majority of prescriptions were issued to males.Kramer said he was not concerned about over-diagnosis or over-medication of stimulants, which can help people with concentration, short-term memory and emotional regulation.
Dr Elizabeth Moore, president of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, agreed there had been increased awareness due to ADHD education campaigns and improved national guidelines. “A number of people are now being diagnosed in adulthood, who have missed out on a diagnosis and appropriate treatment in childhood,” she said.Moore said the profession was always attuned to quick changes, which included the sharp uptick in ADHD diagnoses and prescriptions.
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