Katelyn Salva and Kylie Lichtenstein: The ADHD medication shortage — what can be done?
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There has been an unprecedented increase in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnoses since the covid-19 pandemic. Prescriptions for Adderall, used to treat ADHD, for adults rose 15.1% during 2020 (over double the 2019 rise of 7.4%). This increased consumer demand for ADHD medications has resulted in a shortage of Adderall.
The increase in people seeking medication may be partly due to the social media platform TikTok. ADHD, a neurodevelopmental disorder or disorder that stems from brain development, is among the most popular health topics TikTok users discuss. In a recent study, 100 popular ADHD-related videos averaging 2.8 million views were analyzed; 52% were found to be misleading, 27% were focused on personal experience and only 21% were useful. Misleading information, including ill-informed TikTok videos, can lead individuals to seek unnecessary treatment/medications, resulting in longer wait times and inadequate access. Only 40.28% of the present psychiatric needs of patients are being met across Pennsylvania.
Misdiagnoses can also come from providers. Upwards of 70% of psychotropics are prescribed by primary care providers, not mental health specialists. Psychologists note that autism, oppositional defiant disorder, learning disabilities, anxiety/depression, cognitive decline, social anxiety, drug and alcohol use or abuse, behavior issues, medical issues such as seizures, and trauma-related disorders are often misdiagnosed as ADHD.
Prescribing psychologists, who are extensively trained in diagnosing and managing mental health disorders and have completed schooling in psychopharmacology, can more effectively provide care that can involve psychological testing, psychotherapy and medication management to create a better balance between therapy and medication.
Along with the ADHD medication shortage worsening, Pennsylvania’s mental health professional shortage continues to worsen, with 1.7 million Pennsylvanians living in shortage areas.
With their unique skill set, prescribing psychologists offer a solution to these issues. They can help increase access to psychotropic medications and reduce long wait and appointment travel times.
Pennsylvania may soon become one of the handful of states that grant prescription authority to psychologists. Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Squirrel Hill, recently introduced HB 1000, granting appropriately trained psychologists prescriptive authority. To contact your representative regarding supporting this bill, visit votervoice.net/APAPA/campaigns.
Katelyn Salva is education and outreach coordinator at Authentic Perspectives Psychological & Consulting Services. Kylie Lichtenstein is a doctoral student in psychology at Carlow University.