A national shortage of the drug Adderall has spotlighted a spike in demand for medications that treat the disorder, especially among women.
began caring for kids at home, while at the same time trying to keep their jobs, adapt to remote work and protect themselves from Covid.
Women, of course, weren’t the only ones facing intense change. But psychotherapist and ADHD coach Terry Matlen said those with undiagnosed ADHD were among those hit hardest.Matlen, who runs a 36,500-member Facebook support group for women with ADHD, said the number of women reaching out to her for help has doubled since the pandemic started.
Abby White said her ADHD symptoms became more apparent after college, when she found herself unable to keep a marketing job.About a year and a half ago, White's doctor referred her to a clinical psychologist, who gave her a series of tests and in-depth evaluations over the course of three hours before diagnosing her with ADHD.
ADHD stimulant medications such as Adderall are controlled substances regulated by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration. Since, the DEA has allowed doctors to prescribe controlled substances to patients they’ve never evaluated in person, a move that is scheduled to continue as long as Covid is considered a public health emergency.
“The downside to telehealth, when it comes to ADHD, is that many companies aren’t doing comprehensive psychiatric evaluations,” he said. “I would be very reluctant to prescribe medication to someone if I hadn’t done a comprehensive review.”Others worry that doctors working through telehealth companies may not have the training to identify misuse.
Sibley is also concerned that some women who relate to symptoms discussed on social media and decide they, too, have ADHD could be “barking up the wrong tree.”
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