> Data from the analytics and research company IQVIA shows that the demand for Adderall has risen nearly 27% in recent years, with prescriptions jumping from 35.5 million in 2019 to 45 million last year.
Probably even higher now. That's nearly 15% of the population. Are stimulants like Adderall prescribed for conditions that aren't ADHD? Do ADHD diagnosis not include medication? My point was stimulants are being abused and are easily acquired (in the name of ADHD).
>My point was stimulants are being abused and are easily acquired (in the name of ADHD).
You say this in such a matter of fact way. Doctors regularly gate-keep people with ADHD from a diagnosis because of drug seekers. You are speaking like a person with no experiences in the subject, and considering your original post we know you are not arguing in good faith here at all.
But during COVID, rules were loosened about being able to diagnose ADHD by telehealth. The result was on the order of 2 million new prescriptions per year.
It is also true that there are people being kept from a diagnosis because of drug seekers. But that just means that the drug seekers have to look around until they find a compliant doctor.
But hey. When I pick up my son's medication, I now have to show my driver's license. So at least we're catching the ones who shop around, find 5 compliant doctors, and then sell the extras on the black market!
(My son doesn't need medication picked up very often. Unfortunately for him, he can't tolerate the side effects of more than sporadic use. But he would struggle to get through major exams without it.)
What you are saying does not match my and many other peoples reality. I personally have been denied a diagnosis even tho I have had done 3 previous assessments. This was even when I changed back to the same provider I had previously after a move. It seems every time I change insurance providers the new one does not believe that I am anything but a drug seeking addict. This is still the narrative for many people with ADHD. I am sorry that as a parent this is an aspect you dont see, but your kid will need to deal with it and many other struggles that you will never experience first hand.
I'm sorry that you are struggling with the concept of objective reality.
The statistics that I quoted are real. This isn't a question of matching your perception of reality. It is a question of what is actually true.
The number of people prescribed ADHD medications is several times the estimated number of people with ADHD. I isn't hard to find people with questionable ADHD diagnoses. I already said that there are people with real diagnoses who struggle to get diagnosed properly. I'm sorry that you are one of them. My daughter happens to be another.
Oh, and here's another point from reality. ADHD is genetic. My son got it from me. I am also likely where he got his inability to tolerate regular use of Adderall. So the next time you find yourself struggling to get a prescription, reflect on how you are getting to temporarily experience a bit of the struggles that I live with.
Maybe that thought will help you to not jump to conclusions in the future.
I was not gonna reply but I got kind of curious. How often does this statistics argument work for ya in general? I was wondering how many people turn around and go "wow you are right!"
This particular one? It is the first time I made it.
Statistical arguments in general? I get a pretty good response. But there is a selection bias. I rarely bother interacting again with anyone who can't be convinced by data when they encounter it. (And conversely, I try to be convinced by data when I encounter it.)
Probably even higher now. That's nearly 15% of the population. Are stimulants like Adderall prescribed for conditions that aren't ADHD? Do ADHD diagnosis not include medication? My point was stimulants are being abused and are easily acquired (in the name of ADHD).