ADHD in Adults: Medication Use Is Rising Sharply but Most Remain Untreated
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is not just a childhood condition. According to a commentary published in The Lancet Regional Health – Europe (archived on PubMed Central, NIH), about 3% of adults and about 8% of children/adolescents are diagnosed with ADHD. The disorder is associated with a 6-8 year shorter average life expectancy compared with people without it, and imposes an economic burden of up to €18.67 billion per year in high-income countries.
Medication use has risen sharply for more than a decade
The authors (Nóra Bunford and Péter Nagy, published March 2026) analyzed ADHD medication use data from 2010 to 2023 in five countries: Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, and the UK, across all age groups from age 3 and up. The results show that overall ADHD medication use more than doubled in the Netherlands and tripled in the UK during this period.
The trends differ by age group and country:
- In children: medication rates rose in Belgium and the UK, while in the Netherlands and Spain they increased and then declined
- In adolescents and adults: medication rates rose consistently in all five studied countries
The sharpest increases were recorded in adults aged 25 and over and in women. In the UK, the rate of starting medication in this group grew particularly fast.
Why the gap between diagnosis and treatment persists
Despite rising medication use, a substantial share of adults with ADHD remain undiagnosed or untreated. Reasons include limited access to specialist adult ADHD services, lack of awareness among healthcare professionals, stigma, and the fact that adult ADHD symptoms (inattention, poor time management, impulsivity) are often less visible than childhood hyperactivity. The commentary stresses that ADHD in adults is a real, impairing condition — and that under-treatment has measurable consequences for health, work, and quality of life.
What this means in practice
If you suspect adult ADHD — persistent difficulties with attention, organization, or impulse control that affect daily life — a proper assessment by a qualified specialist (psychiatrist or clinical psychologist with ADHD expertise) is the first step. Treatment is multimodal: medication can be very effective, but structured support, psychoeducation, coaching and workplace adjustments are equally important parts of the picture. This article is for general educational purposes and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice.
Helpful products
- Time-management planner — practical support for adults managing attention and organization difficulties.
Source: The Lancet Regional Health – Europe (via PubMed Central, NIH)
