Is ADHD over-diagnosed? Claims vary, with some people stating that ADHD prescriptions are substituting for parenting and teaching. No matter your opinion, ADHD medication is in greater use than ever and not just for children.

A recent study shows that treatment rates have been increasing in all age groups, and improved identification has contributed to rapidly growing treatment rates for adults. Female patients show the greatest increase of all.

The study, Trends in Medication Treatment for ADHD, revealed rapid growth of ADHD medication use in all demographic groups except seniors, with some groups showing markedly faster rates than others. Between 2000 and 2005, treatment rates grew more rapidly for adults than for children, more rapidly for women than for men, and more rapidly for girls than for boys.

According to the study, improved diagnosis of ADHD in adult and female patients contributed to the rapid growth in ADHD medication use. There were also many changes in the types of medications used. Researchers found that methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine use declined for both children and adults, the use of amphetamine mixtures increased for adults, atomoxetine use (introduced in 2002) grew rapidly across both groups, use of extended-release products increased in children more dramatically than adults, and generic ADHD medication use declined significantly in pediatric patients while remaining relatively stable in adults.