Full Breakdown
Surge in ADHD Medication Prescriptions in Ontario: Trends and Implications
12/11/2025, 8:45:41 PM
Dramatic Increase in Prescriptions
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open reveals a significant rise in the number of prescriptions for stimulant medications used to treat attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in Ontario. Between 2015 and 2023, new stimulant prescriptions surged by 157 percent, with a notable acceleration beginning in 2020, coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns. During this period, the annual increase in prescriptions reached 28 percent, compared to a mere seven percent from 2015 to 2019. Researchers from ICES, North York General Hospital, and The Hospital for Sick Children attribute this trend to various factors, including increased screen time, heightened public awareness of ADHD, and the identification of previously undiagnosed individuals.
Demographic Shifts in ADHD Diagnoses
The study highlights a particularly striking increase in ADHD medication prescriptions among adult females, with rates rising by approximately 421 percent for those aged 25 to 44 and 369 percent for those aged 18 to 24. Dr. Daniel Myran, the study's first author, noted that by 2023, more females aged 25 to 44 had used stimulants in the past year than their male counterparts. This shift may reflect a growing recognition of inattentive symptoms in women, which have historically been underdiagnosed due to a focus on hyperactivity, more commonly observed in males.
Concerns Over Diagnosis and Treatment
While the increase in ADHD diagnoses may address previous underdiagnoses, it raises concerns about potential overdiagnosis and misdiagnosis. Dr. Myran expressed apprehension that some individuals might be exposed to unnecessary medication side effects, which can include loss of appetite, sleep disturbances, and increased anxiety. Furthermore, he emphasized the importance of accurate diagnoses, stating, “If you have the wrong diagnosis and you pursue the wrong treatment for it, you may never get the right treatment for what you have.”
Impact of Virtual Assessments
The pandemic saw the emergence of numerous private virtual care clinics offering ADHD assessments, which may have lowered barriers to diagnosis but also contributed to the risk of misdiagnosis. The study found that while there was a significant increase in children receiving ADHD medications, the rise was less pronounced than in adult populations. Notably, prescriptions for girls aged 10 to 14 increased by 191 percent, compared to a 67.5 percent rise for boys in the same age group.
Broader Implications for Healthcare
Heather Palis, a senior scientist at the BC Centre for Disease Control, noted similar trends in British Columbia, where her research indicated that the rate of ADHD diagnoses among females grew more than twice as fast as that of males during the pandemic. She emphasized the need for improved access to healthcare providers who can effectively diagnose and monitor patients for adverse effects. “This is really meant to be a first step to now informing how we meet the service needs of people who have these new diagnoses,” Palis stated.
Verbatim Quotes
- “If you have the wrong diagnosis and you pursue the wrong treatment for it, you may never get the right treatment for what you have,” — Dr. Daniel Myran, Family and Public Health Physician
- “That signals to us a population that then needs services and treatment,” — Heather Palis, Senior Scientist at the BC Centre for Disease Control
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While the study indicates a clear rise in ADHD diagnoses and prescriptions, there remains a lack of comprehensive data on the appropriateness of these prescriptions. Concerns about overdiagnosis and misdiagnosis persist, highlighting the need for further research into the long-term implications of increased stimulant use.
