The number of people prescribed medication for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) on the National Health Service (NHS) rose sharply in the past year, reaching record levels, according to recent data. In 2025-26, more than 427,000 patients received central nervous system stimulants or other drugs to manage ADHD, representing a 31 percent increase from 326,000 the previous year.
Adults accounted for the largest share of this rise, with approximately 267,000 individuals aged 18 and older being prescribed ADHD medication—a 40 percent increase compared to the previous 12 months. Among children, prescriptions also grew, with an estimated 158,000 under-18 patients receiving ADHD treatment, marking a 17 percent increase over the same period. Overall, the total number of ADHD drug prescriptions dispensed in 2025-26 reached 4.2 million, up 25 percent from 3.38 million in the prior year.
NHS England estimates suggest that around 2.5 million people across the country may have ADHD, including those without a formal diagnosis. Within this population, approximately 741,000 are children and young people under the age of 24.
The government has acknowledged the rising demand for ADHD, autism, and mental health services. In December, it launched a formal review to examine factors driving increased diagnosis rates and service utilization. The review noted that ADHD diagnoses appear to be "increasingly being used to secure support," with educational systems playing a role in influencing diagnostic demand beyond simply responding to identified needs.
Some experts have expressed concerns about what they describe as "diagnosis creep," where individuals might seek an ADHD diagnosis without clear clinical justification, potentially driven by a desire to explain difficulties with concentration or work performance. For example, commentator Dr. Max Pemberton has argued that some adults may resort to an ADHD label as a way to rationalize challenges such as distraction, rather than addressing lifestyle factors like screen time or coping with frustration.
The discussion reflects broader debates about the expanding recognition and treatment of ADHD across age groups. While increased awareness and diagnosis can improve access to support and interventions for many individuals, questions remain about the appropriateness of diagnosis in some cases and the pressures that educational and healthcare settings may place on assessment processes.
As NHS services continue to adapt to rising demand, policymakers and clinicians face the challenge of balancing timely diagnosis and treatment with maintaining rigorous clinical standards to ensure appropriate care.