Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in American children and adolescents. ADHD can affect children, teens, and adults and is characterized by symptoms of inattention, impulsivity, and restlessness.
Since 2000, there has been an increase in ADHD diagnoses among U. S. children. In the last five years, research indicates diagnoses have continued to escalate, raising demand for ADHD medications like Adderall.
As the number of children, teens, and young adults diagnosed with ADHD has increased and prescription medication shortages have plagued the US public health system in recent years, millions of Americans are struggling to get their ADHD prescriptions filled.
Keep reading to learn more about the rising prevalence of ADHD diagnoses, the corresponding uptick in demand for medications like Adderall, and how these challenges have impacted individual and public health.
Understanding ADHD
Although the exact cause of ADHD is still mostly unknown, researchers believe that a combination of various genetic and environmental risk factors during a mother’s pregnancy may cause the condition. Symptoms typically begin during childhood and frequently continue into adulthood.
General symptoms of ADHD may include the following:
- Difficulty focusing or concentrating
- Hyperactivity or restlessness
- Impulsivity or carelessness
- Executive dysfunction
- Academic difficulty
- Disruptive behavior
- Interpersonal conflict or relationship problems
- Emotional dysregulation or mood swings
It bears mentioning that ADHD may present a wide array of symptoms not included in the list above, and symptoms may also vary based on factors like age and gender. For example, in children, girls with ADHD tend to display inattention more than boys, while boys are more likely to exhibit disruptive behavior than girls.

How Is ADHD Diagnosed?
Many people with ADHD are diagnosed during childhood or adolescence, though some people may live well into adulthood before receiving a diagnosis. Adult ADHD, however, can be difficult to diagnose as its symptoms can be complicated to define and identify in terms of what is expected and abnormal.
Generally, ADHD may be diagnosed as one of three types:
- Predominantly inattentive (ADHD-PI or ADHD-I) is primarily characterized by symptoms of inattention, such as difficulty focusing, poor organization and time management, forgetfulness, and trouble completing tasks. People with inattentive ADHD may seem disengaged from situations without appearing hyperactive or disengaged.
- Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive (ADHD-PH or ADHD-HI) is typically identified by symptoms of excessive movement and restlessness behavior. In other words, people with hyperactive-impulsive ADHD may have trouble sitting still, talk excessively, or act without thinking.
- Combined presentation (ADHD-C) is the most common type of ADHD. Individuals with combined ADHD exhibit a full range of ADHD symptoms.
According to the American Psychiatric Association’s (APA) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), individuals under 17 meet the criteria for ADHD if they experience at least six symptoms for more than six months at a level considered more severe than others their age.
For adults to be diagnosed with ADHD, they must have experienced at least five symptoms for at least six months and have presented their symptoms before the age of 12. In 2013, the DSM updated its ADHD criteria by raising the qualifying age from 7 to 12, recognizing that some symptoms may begin later in some people.
Diagnosis of ADHD in both children and adults also requires individuals to exhibit symptoms severe enough to interfere with their functioning in more than one setting, such as at home, work, school, or with friends.
Historical Trends in ADHD Diagnoses
Historically, ADHD has been thought to affect primarily young boys, and for decades, diagnoses have been more prevalent in boys than girls. Some argue these gaps in ADHD diagnoses for girls were due to limited research on neurodevelopmental disorders in girls, causing biases in diagnostic criteria and a lack of awareness of the condition in other demographics.
Based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) 2022 National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH), both Asian and Hispanic/Latino children they had a lower prevalence of ADHD compared to White or non-Hispanic/Latino children, as did children of non-English-speaking households.
However, the CDC said that with the increasing awareness of ADHD over time, gaps in diagnoses of historically underdiagnosed demographics—girls, adolescents, adults, and racial and ethnic minority groups—are “narrowing.”
Role of Medications in ADHD Management
One of the most common treatments for ADHD in patients 12 and older is prescription medication. If you have ADHD, your healthcare provider may prescribe you a stimulant, a non-stimulant, an anti-depressant, or a combination of these medications to manage your symptoms.
Stimulants increase dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain—two neurotransmitters affecting focus and motivation. Commonly prescribed stimulants for ADHD include the following:
- Adderall
- Dexedrine
- ProCentra
- Vyvanse
- Ritalin
- Desoxyn
- Concerta
Stimulants typically come in two forms: instant-release and extended-release. Instant-release stimulants can be taken as needed, and their effects usually last for three to four hours, but when a dose wears off, a person with ADHD may “crash” or experience a drop in mood as the effects of the stimulant subside.
Extended-release stimulants are often taken once daily and last anywhere from six to 18 hours. With longer-acting medications like these, you may not experience as many ups and downs in mood throughout the day. However, stimulants carry a risk for substance abuse and are, therefore, controlled substances that may be more difficult to obtain prescriptions for.

Exploring the Increase in Demand for Adderall
According to the CDC, prescription stimulant use for ADHD treatment has been increasing since before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Researchers found the number of females between 15 and 44 and males between 25 and 44 receiving ADHD drugs increased by more than 10% during 2020 and 2021. On the other hand, stimulant prescriptions in children decreased from two-thirds to roughly half of children with ADHD between 2016 and 2021.
However, the CDC also noted that prescription fill patterns, specifically among female ADHD patients during the pandemic, were substantially higher than those of male ADHD patients. This increase in demand for stimulant prescriptions is likely because from 2020 to 2022, ADHD diagnoses in women aged 23 to 49 nearly doubled, according to Russel et al.
Researchers found ADHD diagnoses in adults 30 to 49 also nearly doubled between 2020 and 2022. Ultimately, the increase in demand for stimulant medications like Adderall over the last few years can be attributed to the rising ADHD diagnoses in adults—particularly women.
According to the 2022 National Survey of Children’s Health, 6-8% of children in the US had ADHD diagnoses in 2000. Between 2000 and 2018, the number of children with ADHD increased to 9-10%, and by 2022, 10.5%—or 6.5 million—of kids 17 and younger had ADHD. The most common age range for ADHD diagnosis in children is 6 to 11 years old, Russell et al. found.
The COVID-19 Pandemic’s Effect on ADHD Diagnoses and Prescriptions
According to the CDC, of those who had ADHD, over 75% of them had at least one co-occurring mental, behavioral, or developmental disorder. Children and adults with ADHD may experience co-occurring mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder.
For some individuals, an ADHD diagnosis may come as a result of seeking treatment for another co-occurring mental health condition, which researchers believe also contributed to the increase in ADHD diagnoses in children and adults during and after the pandemic.
ADHD patients were also among those most severely affected when obtaining their stimulant prescriptions became even more difficult during the pandemic. Though the many prescription shortages exacerbated by the pandemic were eventually resolved by the end of 2022, such was not the case for Adderall, which was declared in shortage in October 2022 and seems to be easing up, if marginally.
Societal and Cultural Factors Influencing ADHD Diagnoses and Medication Use
The rise of social media and online communities has significantly impacted both mental health advocacy and awareness for disorders like ADHD, allowing teens and young adults a place to share their experiences and stories about having ADHD.
While platforms like TikTok and Instagram are great for raising awareness about ADHD and the challenges it brings, the meme-ification of content and virality of specific trends has led to thousands of users self-diagnosing and misdiagnosing themselves with ADHD without being professionally evaluated.
The normalization and romanticization of ADHD on social media as a kind of “superpower” has contributed to many teens and young adults self-diagnosing and self-medicating ADHD through the illicit use of ADHD drugs like Adderall. Some high school and college-aged students with ADHD prescriptions may sell their medications to peers.
Some argue that these shifting cultural and social attitudes toward ADHD and prescription stimulants have created environments with a propensity to over-diagnose ADHD and overprescribe stimulants as a “quick fix” solution.
Conversely, people from low-income communities or who do not have access to healthcare and insurance coverage may be unable to receive proper evaluation and treatment for ADHD. These individuals may rely on unreliable or illicit means to obtain ADHD medications, increasing their risk of substance abuse or receiving medication laced with unsafe or unknown substances.

Alternative Treatments and Therapies for ADHD
While medication remains the most common form of treatment for ADHD, healthcare providers may also recommend behavioral intervention via cognitive behavioral therapy, psychotherapy, social skills training, and educational support as alternatives to treat the condition. These treatments can benefit not only children and adults with ADHD but parents and teachers, too.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most widely used treatments for ADHD behind medication, which is often administered alongside CBT. Children and adults with ADHD and co-occurring mental health conditions may benefit from CBT by learning how to identify and change negative thought patterns, which can improve more mindful and less impulsive behaviors.
More holistic strategies for managing ADHD symptoms have also been identified, though non-pharmaceutical interventions centered around diet and nutrition may require more research to determine their effectiveness compared to medication for ADHD treatment.
However, research suggests that the changes that occur in the brain during exercise impact three critical skills affected by ADHD: executive functioning, attention, and working memory. With that said, regular exercise can undoubtedly support cognitive function and may be beneficial if you have ADHD.
Future Outlook
As societal awareness and understanding of ADHD continues to evolve, the increase in ADHD diagnoses is likely to continue in the coming years. However, this trend should be interpreted cautiously, as it may reflect genuine increases in identification and persistent over-diagnosis and misdiagnosis, especially among specific demographics.
On the treatment front, innovations hold promise for the future management of ADHD. Continued research into the neuropathology of ADHD may lead to more targeted and effective pharmacotherapies with fewer side effects, and ADHD treatments may soon include non-pharmaceutical interventions like mindfulness-based therapies and cognitive training programs.
Moving Forward with ADHD: Consult a Professional
Proper diagnosis and evidence-based treatment are essential for managing ADHD effectively. A licensed clinician, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, or specialized therapist, can work with you to develop a treatment plan that may include medication, behavioral interventions, lifestyle modifications, and other supportive measures.
If you or a loved one are concerned about ADHD symptoms, we encourage you to take the next step and consult a qualified healthcare professional for a comprehensive evaluation.
Connect with Us at The Summit Wellness Group
We also invite you to share your experiences, insights, or questions about ADHD within our community. Your perspective can help us better understand real-world challenges and inform us of the resources we provide.
For those who are struggling with Adderall addiction, stimulant abuse, or another co-occurring mental health disorder, do not hesitate to reach out for help. Reach us anytime at The Summit Wellness Group by phone at (770) 749-7308 or by email at ContactUs@TheSummitWellnessGroup.com.