By Joseph Lafave
COVID-19 has had a large impact on mental health disorders, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Stimulants, common medications for ADHD are concerned to be over-prescribed.
As Diagnoses Go Up, So Do Prescriptions
“There’s good data nationally that the [COVID-19] pandemic has increased rates of almost all psychiatric disorders across the board, including ADHD,” said Dr. Stephen Farone, a professor in the Departments of Psychiatry, Neuroscience and Physiology and Vice Chair for Research in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at SUNY Upstate Medical University.
As the prevalence of mental health disorders increases, so does the number of psychiatric medications being prescribed to patients. These include the stimulant medications used to treat ADHD.