The Covid pandemic has been a very difficult and challenging time for all of us, hasn't it? Being confined to our homes, having our daily lives completely changed, and having to deal with work and education issues, has put us under a lot of mental stress. With this stress, some people's existing mental health problems have worsened, and some have developed new mental health problems. Thus, one of the conditions that has been talked about more and received more treatment during the Covid period is ADHD.
First, let's look at what ADHD really is.
Simply put, ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects the way the brain functions. It is not a disease or something to be ashamed of. A person with this condition can experience challenges in three main areas:
- Inattention: Difficulty staying focused on one thing, difficulty following through on a task once it is started, and frequent forgetting of small details.
- Hyperactivity : Difficulty staying still, constantly fidgeting, fidgeting with hands, etc.
- Impulsivity: Behaviors such as doing or saying things suddenly without thinking, and impatiently interrupting others while they are talking.
This condition is often diagnosed in childhood. However, there are sometimes people who live with these symptoms into adulthood and are unaware that they have the condition.
Why did the use of ADHD medication suddenly increase during Covid?
A recent major study by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that prescriptions for stimulant medications for ADHD increased significantly during the 2020-2021 COVID-19 pandemic. Doctors point to several main reasons for this.
1. Stress caused by the pandemic
Imagine, during the lockdown, we were all stuck at home. There was no way to go out, we couldn't meet friends, and all our daily routines were disrupted. The loneliness, anxiety, and stress we feel during times like this are very high.
Doctors and researchers suggest that this high level of stress may have exacerbated pre-existing ADHD symptoms in some people. For example, someone who used to be able to control their hyperactivity by going out and playing with friends may find it difficult to cope when confined to their homes. Also, even those who did not show symptoms before may experience new symptoms due to this stress.
2. Convenience of Telehealth services
Another thing that came with the pandemic was the ability to talk to a doctor online (video call) and get medication from home. We call this Telehealth. Because of this convenience, even people who previously did not have time to see a doctor, or were a little reluctant to see a doctor for a mental health problem, were encouraged to seek solutions to their problems. This was also a major reason for the increase in ADHD diagnoses and prescriptions.
Among whom was this increase most noticeable?
This study showed that this increase was not uniform among everyone, but was particularly noticeable among certain age groups and genders. Let's look at this data in a table.
| Category | Observed increase in medication use during 2020-2021 |
|---|---|
| Women (20-24 years old) | The largest increase of 19.2% (the highest percentage reported in this study) |
| Women (15-44 years old) | An increase of more than 10% |
| Male (25-44 years old) | An increase of more than 10% |
| Boys (5-19 years old) | Although ADHD medication use was highest in this group, their percentage decreased slightly during the pandemic. |
This data shows that there has been an increase in the recognition and treatment of this condition, especially among young women and young adults.
Do you suspect that you have ADHD symptoms?
While reading this article, did you think, "Oh, I have some of these things too?" Think about the following.
- When you start something, like a task or a lesson, is it difficult to stay focused until it's finished?
- Do you often forget small things? Are you constantly searching for things like your keys, purse, or phone?
- Do you find it very difficult to sit in one place? Do you have a habit of constantly fidgeting with your legs or doing something with your hands?
- Do you say or do things impulsively without thinking? Do you regret it later?
- When someone is talking, do you jump in and answer without waiting for them to finish?
- Do you have a habit of procrastinating? Do you leave everything until the last minute?
But keep this in mind. Don't just assume you have ADHD just because you have one or two of these symptoms. Sometimes these symptoms can also be caused by other mental or physical conditions, such as stress, anxiety, or depression .
The best and safest thing to do is to consult a Consultant Psychiatrist or your Family Doctor if these symptoms are continuing to affect your daily life, work, education or family relationships. He or she will be able to examine you thoroughly, identify what kind of condition you really have, and refer you to the most appropriate treatment method if necessary.
Take-Home Message
- ADHD is not laziness or lack of discipline. It is a real medical condition that can be managed with treatment.
- Stressful situations, such as the COVID pandemic, can have a profound impact on our mental health, potentially triggering or exacerbating underlying conditions like ADHD.
- Do not self-diagnose yourself with ADHD based on information you read online. It can be dangerous.
- If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of ADHD, the best thing to do is to consult a qualified doctor. Getting an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan can make life easier.
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