New data reveals the extent of the ADHD medication crisis; among a 900% increase in individuals searching for ways to treat ADHD without prescribed medicine, there has also been the same rise in the number of people attempting to find methods of managing their ADHD unmedicated.
This research follows a recent petition signed by thousands calling for the better management of ADHD services which was disregarded by the Government.
What is ADHD?
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition that impacts behaviour. In the UK, it is estimated that 3-4% of the population have ADHD. The charity ADHD UK has found that medication use has doubled in the last 5 years.
Symptoms are usually noticeable from an early age โ children can appear restless, have trouble concentrating and may act on impulse. People with ADHD may also experience other issues such as anxiety and depression.
Pharmaceutical company Takeda is a major producer of ADHD drugs such as methylphenidate.
Barriers to diagnosis
Most cases of ADHD are diagnosed in children under 12, but some people are diagnosed as adults, especially due to barriers faced to receiving an NHS assessment โ on average, waiting times have now reached a record of 7 years, with some waiting up to a decade. Hundreds of thousands of people are therefore currently waiting for a diagnosis.
Moreover, some demographics groups, particularly women, are faced with issues when it comes to receiving an accurate diagnosis for both ADHD and autism, with an estimated 80% being misdiagnosed.
Leanne Maskell, founder of ADHD Works, who was diagnosed with ADHD, recently set up a petition to highlight the extensive waiting times on the NHS. Over 11,000 people signed the petition, but the Government responded by asserting that it has ‘no current plans to hold a public inquiry into how ADHD assessments and pre- and post-diagnostic support are managed.โ
Furthermore, the Government pointed to NICE guidance as the solution, but campaigners argue this does not go far enough โ in particular, guidelines do not set out a maximum waiting time for a diagnosis.
โADHD medication is not a ‘highly controlled’ drug because it’s optional; it’s because it is extremely powerful and can have a significant impact on our health – positively or negatively. ADHD affects people differently, and individual treatment plans and support are essential.โ
Leanne Maskell
Moreover, People who suffer from a neurodevelopmental condition have a five times higher risk of suicide – and one in four women with ADHD have attempted suicide. Yet adult ADHD is not mentioned at all within the Government’s Suicide Prevention strategies they refer to in their petition response, and the shortage of medicine isnโt being counteracted with alternative support.
The ADHD medication crisis
For over two months, a national shortage of ADHD medication has meant that people cannot get hold of the prescribed drugs they need. People are therefore resorting to rationing their medication or travelling miles to localities where shortages are not as stark. ADHD UK has revealed that 92% of people living with the condition have been impacted by the shortages.
The NHS has previously stated that shortages would be resolved by the end of this year, with many Trusts and ICBs providing guidance based on this. However, Takeda has now announced that the supply of ADHD medication will face โintermittent disruptionโ until April 2024. This disruption is being blamed on a combination of both manufacturing issues and an increase in demand. The UK does not have control over the supply of ADHD medication as the manufacturing occurs abroad.
What does the data reveal?
The research from Egg Insight uncovers a range of negative impacts that shortages are having on people with ADHD. Through collecting research based on searches, an increase in the frequency of search terms such as โdrugsโ, โhelpโ, โwithoutโ and โnatural remediesโ was revealed.
When looking at the 8,000+ voices per month expressing need with specific regard to โhelpโ at least 100 people per month were found to be asking specifically for help in the absence of medication. Similarly, when looking at the 8,000+ voices per month expressing need with specific regard to โWithout medicationโ there is an overwhelming cry for help with managing, dealing with, handling, coping and even โlivingโ with ADHD.
Most striking is that there has been a 900% increase in individuals searching for ways to treat or deal with their ADHD without prescribed medication over the last three months.
This increase in people searching for alternative medication is particularly alarming considering the rise of online companies selling supplements as substitutes for prescribed drugs. It has been found that products sold by wellness firms claiming to help with concentration and brain fog are being marketed on social media, particularly to children and young people.
Organisations pushing these unproven and so-called โnaturalโ treatments are being accused by charities and the NHS of taking advantage of the current shortage. For example, NHS Englandโs National Mental Health Director, Claire Murdoch, called for a crackdown and stated that โany instance of targeting vulnerable children and families in this way is completely irresponsibleโ.
Furthermore, Egg Insight found a rise in people searching for help for anxiety and depression with 96,500 people looking for CBT support.
Final thought
The data revealed by Egg Insight reveals a distressing reality โ people with neurodevelopmental conditions such as ADHD are facing a crisis as they struggle to manage their condition with limited assistance. From extensive waiting lists to severe shortages in medication, it is clear that there needs to be a comprehensive patient-focused treatment plan for ADHD.
Both Takeda and the Department of Health and Social Care were contacted for comment regarding these findings but did not respond.