Dramatic rise in number of people going on ADHD medications in Ontario, with one group leading the sudden increase

Writer:

Published: 

Quick Read

TORONTO — Researchers say there’s been a dramatic rise in the number of people going on medications to treat attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder in Ontario, suggesting factors such as more time spent online and the rise of private assessments for the mental condition could be behind the increase.

study published Thursday in JAMA Network Open looked at all prescriptions for stimulant drugs such as Ritalin and Adderall dispensed in the province between 2015 and 2023.

Full Story

By 2023, data shows overall annual new stimulant prescriptions were up by 157 per cent compared to 2015.

The report says prescriptions for ADHD treatment rose throughout the study period and accelerated in 2020, coinciding with the lockdowns of the COVID-19 pandemic. That year prescriptions started increasing 28 per cent per year, compared to only seven per cent from 2015 to 2019.

For the full article CLICK HERE


Additional Resources

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development – NICHD

What Are Nonstimulant Medicips for Managing a Learning Disability in Adulthood | NICHD – Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Developmentations for ADHD?


References: 

Make An Appointment

We welcome your comments and feedback. Contact us directly