ADHD: medication and society

In recent years the number of prescriptions for Ritalin among children and adolescents has quadrupled. Moreover, an increasing number of young people with ADHD-like problems appears to end up in the care circuit. Increased pressure to perform and less tolerance for any deviant behaviour seem to be important reasons why there has been a substantial growth in the demand for care and other forms of support. It cannot be concluded, however, whether over-treatment is a factor here, because too little is known about appropriate care. In any case, it is important to focus much more on what care professionals, schools and employers can do to face the problems of young people.