What's driving the demand for ADHD drugs like Adderall

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Why ADHD diagnoses are on the rise By Jamie Ducharme Health Correspondent When a medical condition suddenly starts to become more common, it’s fair to assume that’s not a great sign—it usually means more people are getting sick. But when I asked experts about pandemic-era increases in diagnoses of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), they told me it wasn’t so black-and-white. There are some potentially concerning explanations for the apparent spike in ADHD. The pandemic may have exacerbated concentration issues, social media posts may be misleading some people into thinking they have ADHD, or the rise of telehealth may be contributing to rampant over-diagnosis. But there’s also an encouraging potential explanation, experts told me. For decades, clinicians thought of ADHD as a condition that primarily affects young boys, which caused many girls and adults to slip through the cracks. The current rise in diagnoses could be a sign that doctors are, at last, recognizing that people of any background can be affected—and deserve appropriate treatment. READ MORE   Share This Story

What Else to Read What Happens Next in the Fight Over Abortion Pills By Alice Park Here's how the supply of abortion pills may change after a Texas judge's ruling on mifepristone. Read More » Juul to Pay $462 Million to Six States Over Marketing to Kids By Erik Larson and Malathi Nayak/Bloomberg The deal is to resolve lawsuits and investigations into the e-cig manufacturer's marketing of addictive vaping products to children. Read More » White House Names Veterinary Drug Xylazine Mixed with Fentanyl an ‘Emerging Threat’ By GEOFF MULVIHILL/AP It's the first time the office has used the term since the category for fast-growing drug dangers was created in 2019. Read More » Americans Are Dying Younger—But Where You Live Makes a Big Difference By Jeremy Ney The answer lies in 5 different state policies. Read More » How to Find Small Moments of Joy in Dark Times By Angela Haupt Create a joy bucket list, have recess every day, and dance it out. Read More »

ONE LAST READ Small acts of kindness count more than ever If you have a free moment today, text a friend, strike up a conversation with a stranger, or send someone a note of thanks. These small acts of kindness matter more than we might assume, Allie Volpe writes in Vox. Talking ourselves out of them deprives both us and the person on the other end—and is a missed opportunity for meaningful social connection. Read More »

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