The number of adult women in the UK prescribed medication for Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has skyrocketed, with a recent study revealing a more than 20-fold increase. This surge highlights the growing awareness of the condition and the challenges many face in navigating ADHD, especially within families.
Lauren O’Carroll, a 41-year-old mother from Cambridge, has become a coach for other parents grappling with ADHD after her own experiences led her to understand the complexities of the condition. Diagnosed at the age of 21, Lauren witnessed firsthand the struggles her two daughters, aged nine and seven, encountered as they exhibited signs of being neurodivergent.
“I learned to build a life that worked with my brain and was able to stop using medication for periods of time,” Lauren explained. “From the outside, I looked successful: a good career, strong friendships, independence. Inside, everything relied on careful balance but it was working. That balance collapsed when my responsibilities increased and support decreased.”
The study published in the Lancet by Oxford University examined medication prescriptions across five European countries, including the UK, from 2010 to 2023. The findings indicated the most significant increase in ADHD medication prescriptions occurred among adults, with females over the age of 25 experiencing a more than 20-fold rise compared to 15-fold for males. Experts attribute this increase largely to improved recognition of ADHD symptoms, particularly in women and girls who often mask their challenges.
Lauren reflected on her experience with ADHD and the toll it took on her family. She had to stop taking her medication while undergoing fertility treatment, which later made managing her household and her daughters’ needs even more demanding. “What looked like ‘bad parenting’ was actually two overwhelmed nervous systems hitting breaking point,” she said.
The emotional strain often culminated in meltdowns at home. “As the pressure on my children grew, so did the pressure on me. I swung between gentle parenting and sudden rage, exhausted and ashamed,” she added.
The study also revealed that 80% of ADHD diagnoses are still made in boys, although evidence suggests that many girls go undiagnosed. This late diagnosis can have far-reaching implications for families, as Lauren noted, “ADHD doesn’t disappear in girls – it simply goes unnoticed. Late diagnosis doesn’t just affect adults; it affects entire families.”
Access to care remains a pressing issue. Lauren’s daughters were on NHS waiting lists for diagnoses, but due to the long delays, she opted to pay privately for assessments, which cost her around £500 monthly. It took two years before she could finally access shared care through the NHS via the right to choose pathway.
The UK government is currently conducting a national review focused on the rising demand for mental health services, including ADHD and autism. This review will assess diagnosis rates, possible over-diagnosis, and the significant delays in receiving support from the NHS.
Critics argue that ADHD is being overdiagnosed, suggesting that society is medicalizing common life struggles. However, advocates for ADHD awareness and support counter that the real issue lies within the NHS’s backlog, which hampers timely diagnoses and crucial support for families in crisis.
As a response to her own experiences, Lauren founded Positively Parenting, aimed at supporting families affected by ADHD. She also authored the book, “You’re Not a Sht Parent, You Just Have ADHD,” to provide parents with understanding, tools, and hope while navigating the often challenging journey of ADHD.
“Diagnosis hasn’t labelled us. It has protected us,” Lauren emphasized. “It has given us language, access to support, and relief from the quiet parental gaslighting so many families endure.”
As the conversation around ADHD continues to evolve, the experiences of families like Lauren’s shine a spotlight on the importance of understanding and support in managing this condition.
