ADHD Treatment Quadruples Over Four Years... Concerns Over Abuse of Medical Narcotics

Largest Number of Patients Among Teenagers... Spread to Adults in Their 20s and Children

"Medication Effective for 80% of Patients"... Warning Over Rising Misuse

The number of patients diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in South Korea and the corresponding medical expenses have increased significantly over the past four years.

According to a report by Yonhap News Agency on May 5, citing the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, the total medical expenses for ADHD treatment last year reached 190.9 billion won. This marks a 314% increase compared to 46.1 billion won in 2020. During the same period, the number of patients rose from 79,248 to 260,251, a 3.3-fold increase.

ADHD is a common disorder in pediatric psychiatry, characterized by symptoms such as inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It typically develops before the age of seven, and symptoms tend to become more apparent in structured environments where rules must be followed, such as schools or kindergartens.

According to Seoul Asan Medical Center, the global prevalence of ADHD among school-age children and adolescents is estimated at 3 to 8%, and in South Korea, approximately 5% of elementary school students are reported to experience related symptoms.

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Looking at the figures by age group, the number of patients has increased not only among adolescents but also among adults and children. As of 2024, the largest group was teenagers, totaling 94,233 patients. This was followed by those in their twenties (68,816 patients), and children aged nine or under (56,048 patients).

Potential causes of ADHD include an imbalance of neurotransmitters that regulate attention, as well as changes in brain structure and function. ADHD symptoms often do not disappear naturally over time and may be accompanied by other disorders such as anxiety or oppositional defiant disorder. About half of patients continue to experience symptoms into adulthood.

Medication is considered the most effective treatment method. According to hospital officials, "Medication is the most effective treatment for ADHD, with approximately 80% of patients showing clear improvement." They added, "Because children with ADHD tend to receive negative feedback such as scolding or criticism due to impulsive and inattentive behavior, it is important for parents and teachers to find reasons to praise them as much as possible, as frequent criticism can diminish a child's self-confidence."

However, concerns have also been raised regarding the misuse and abuse of ADHD medications. According to a survey by the National Youth Policy Institute of 3,384 middle and high school students nationwide, 5.2% responded that they had used medical narcotics such as ADHD medications for purposes other than treatment.

Among those who reported using medical narcotics in the past six months, ADHD medications accounted for the highest share at 24.4%. Of these, 23.1% said they had used them more than 20 times, while 7.6% reported using them between 6 and 19 times.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.