We recently discussed the growing concern over college students misusing ADHD drugs. Interestingly, a recent study reported on by Bloomberg.com reveals a surprising picture. Although we primarily associate ADHD with children, the drugs prescribed to assist with attention deficit disorders aren’t just for kids.
53% of ADHD Drug Users are Adults
According to the study, 53 percent of the 63 million prescriptions written for ADHD in 2014 were for adults. The data, compiled by Shire Plc, the company behind the top-selling Vyvanse treatment, compared the 2014 data to that of 2007. Just seven years ago, only 39 percent of prescriptions were for adults.
“[The adult market is] growing fast, almost twice as fast as the overall market,” reports Shire CEO, Flemming Ornskov. Vyvanse is approved to treat children ages six to 17 and adults. It commands half of the branded market for ADHD drugs globally.
Diagnosing ADHD
Most people with ADHD are diagnosed as children. Impulsive behavior and a lack of concentration and focus adversely affect a child’s ability to excel in academic environments. However, some children go undiagnosed for years.
Proper diagnosis is critical. ADHD is essentially a mental disorder, one that will following a child into adulthood. Some are able to cope without medication while others will be popping a prescribed pill for the rest of their lives.
The medications used to treat ADHD are stimulants. In a person without the disorder, a stimulant acts to increase their hyperactivity. However, in a person with the disorder, stimulants have the opposite effect. They promote a calmer demeanor, less impulsive and out of control behavior, and better concentration and focus. When the disorder is improperly diagnosed, the use of stimulants at a young age can cause adverse health risks.
ADHD Drugs Do Not Help Everyone Focus
Do you find it difficult to concentrate? Maybe you lose focus at work. You find yourself easily distracted, or your mind tends to wonder at the most inopportune times. As ADHD awareness and marketing by pharmaceutical companies ramp up, more and more people begin to associate lack of focus and concentration with ADHD.
College students who do not have ADHD are actively taking drugs for the condition under the belief that these medications will increase their academic performance by improving their focus and concentration. According to a study presented by Medical News Today, no scientific evidence supports this belief. For individuals who do not have ADHD, medications treating the disorder show no ability to improve mental or physical performance.
Seeking Proper Diagnosis
If you believe you may have an undiagnosed case of ADHD, talk to your doctor or a medical professional. Proper diagnosis prior to taking medication is vital as taking any drug for ADHD without having the disorder can result in a slew of adverse health effects including malnutrition, feelings of hostility, a sense of paranoia, and even severe cardiovascular complications, such as a heart attack or stroke.
If you currently take medication for ADHD, always consult your doctor before increasing your dosage. Even though your prescription is treating a legitimate condition, abusing it can result in a substance abuse and addiction issue.