News / Health & Wellness
ADHD Rates in Women on the Rise?
Often thought of as a boys’ disease, experts are seeing a spike in adult women seeking treatment for ADHD.
ADHD has always been seen as more of a boys’ disease, with young males making up the highest percentage of those treated for the condition. While there are still more boys than girls being treated for ADHD, it’s the opposite when it comes to adults.
A new report shows that adult women’s use of medications for ADHD has soared in the past decade, surpassing that of men. In fact, research from Medco Health Solutions shows that the number of American women ages 20 to 44 who took ADHD drugs skyrocketed more than 250 percent between 2001 to 2010. The research shows that approximately one in 50 adults between 20 to 44 took ADHD medications in 2010, adding up to 1.9 percent of women and 1.8 percent of men.
These numbers are based on research of the use of mental health medications among approximately 2.5 million insured Americans. The most popular ADHD drugs have been Adderall and Ritalin.
What is to blame for the steep rise in the use of ADHD meds in the past decades? One factor is likely that all five medications indicated for treating the condition have been approved since 2001.
ADHD isn’t an issue that suddenly manifests in adulthood, which means that many of the women who started taking prescription medication to manage ADHD as adults likely had symptoms for decades. Females may be diagnosed later because young girls are less likely than boys to exhibit the “H” in ADHD (hyperactivity). Instead, these young girls may be labeled as lazy or unmotivated while in school. Then, as they head into the workforce or have families, the disorganization that results from untreated ADHD can wreak havoc on their lives.
Mental Health Treatment at The Canyon
Fortunately, as awareness grows, so is the number of adults seeking treatment. If you or someone you love needs help with drug abuse and mental health issues, call The Canyon at the toll-free number on our homepage. Someone is there to take your call 24 hours a day and answer any questions you have about co-occurring disorders treatment, financing or insurance.
