Drug Prescribing for Adult ADHD Increasing
A recent report from Medco Health Solutions indicates that there has
been a rapid increase in the prescribing of drugs for adult women with
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). According to health statistics,
approximately 4% of school age children have ADHD and a smaller
percentage of adults struggle with ADHD. About 60% of children with
ADHD continue to experience symptoms into adulthood. Adults may
have trouble following directions, difficulty remembering where they put
things, organizing tasks that need to be done and concentrating when
they need to. They may be impulsive and easily distracted.
Adult ADHD has been thought of as primarily affecting men. However,
the new report from Medco Health Solutions indicates that more
and more adult women are being diagnosed and treated for the condition.
The report indicates that of women 20 to 44 years of age, one in 50 took
medicine to control ADHD symptoms. Those who care for women in this
age group point to factors such as the possibility that the condition may
have been overlooked in earlier years.