I was delighted to be able to contribute to a story on last night’s 6pm 1News (3 May 2024).
I am really pleased to see that the subject of adult ADHD, with regards to both access to an assessment and medication, is being discussed and recognised in the media.
There are numerous undiagnosed adults who are struggling to get access. Raising awareness of the financial challenges for many, long waiting times, and an over-stretched mental health system, is an important topic.
This news item followed the release of an Otago University research study regarding the latest statistics around adult ADHD diagnoses and the percentage being medicated for the disorder, over a six year period. It showed that while 2.6% of the adult population (as at 2022) had a formal ADHD diagnosis, the percentage being medicated was just 0.6% of the adult population. While this did represent a 10-fold increase in those taking ADHD medication it also highlighted the gap between those diagnosed and those receiving treatment.
Why are adults missing out on opportunity to medicate? It could be due to a number of issues, but I would suggest a large part may be the long waiting times and financial burden of a repeat psychiatrist visit every two years in order to renew a patient’s special authority number. This is due to ADHD stimulant medicine being a controlled Class B Drug in New Zealand. Some adults give up trying and continue their struggles, unmedicated.
It was interesting to note in their research findings that boys were over-represented (still) with child diagnoses, yet adult diagnoses were more evenly numbered between the genders. The girls are still being missed!
TVNZ’s ‘Sunday’ programme has an interesting item coming up this Sunday, 5 May that will be further expanding on patients access to an ADHD diagnosis. I will be tuning in!