The dramatic upsurge in diagnosis and consumer inquiries has led to a cottage industry of online ADHD testing and treatment involving supplements.
The increase in diagnosis has even created an ongoing shortage of Adderall, a drug commonly prescribed to treat ADHD. According to the U. S. Food and Drug Administration. That in turn, has led to shortages of other brain-stimulant prescription drugs, according to the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.
More ADHD Testing and Treatment Searches
The current rising interest in ADHD testing and treatment is reflected in social media trends.
Instagram has over 3.3 million posts about ADHD. Meanwhile, the ADHD hashtag has garnered over 22 billion views on Tik Tok. In addition, membership in the r/adhd subreddit has almost tripled in the last three years from 643,000 in 2020 to over 1.6 million today.
However, searches for ADHD testing and treatment information on social media are often unreliable.
One study found that 52 percent of videos covering ADHD on Tik Tok were misleading and only 21 percent were helpful.
Researchers at the University of British Columbia and the University of Toronto came to that conclusion after reviewing the 100 most viewed Tik Tok videos on ADHD.
Demand for ADHD Treatment Through Supplements
The rise in ADHD searches is fueled in part by an interest in supplements.
Although certain foods, vitamins, and minerals have been associated with brain performance, many people are turning to supplements to do the job.
Online searches for “focus supplements” have increased 72 percent over the past six months,
The brain health supplements market reached $9.14 billion last year, according to Precedence Research. Furthermore, it is expected to grow to $26.13 billion by 2032. That is an 11.07 percent compound annual growth rate.
Nootropics
Increasingly, searches for ADHD treatments and brain performance supplements have focused on nootropics.
The use of the term “supplements for nootropics” in online searches has increased 850 percent over the last five years.
Nootropics are natural or synthetic materials that are thought to improve brain function. You can increase nootropics through over-the-counter supplements, prescription drugs, or by eating certain foods.
Foods for Thought
Many of the things we eat every day provide nootropics. In fact, chances are you start your day with at least one natural source of nootropics.
Eggs contain choline, which produces acetylcholine that functions as a neurotransmitter.
If you go for a breakfast that features cereal, you might want to add blueberries. This fruit is rich in antioxidants which protect the brain from free radicals.
Later in the day, you might want to load up on omega-3, which is polyunsaturated fat and another natural nootropic. A good source of omega-3 is fish, although it is available in fish oil supplements.
Along with fish, you can further boost brain function with sides of dark green vegetables. As an example, spinach contains lutein and zeaxanthin which are associated with quick recall and increased memory.
Lastly, you could munch on a piece of dark chocolate for dessert. Cocoa beans are used to make dark chocolate and they are loaded with flavanols. These plant compounds increase blood flow in the brain and can help produce new brain cells.
ADHD Testing
In addition to searches for supplements to treat ADHD, there has been an upsurge in online ADHD testing.
There are two categories of ADHD – primary inattentive type and primary hyperactive-impulsive type. Each has nine distinct symptoms. Doctors use the standards set out in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders to determine if patients have ADHD.
Though diagnosis by physicians more than doubled recently, according to the JAMA Network, demand for testing is increasing. As a result, online ADHD testing has increased.
Self-diagnosis is a dicey business. Reputable online tests come with a disclaimer that only trained and licensed individuals can make an accurate diagnosis.
The Attention Deficit Disorder Association offers ADHD testing via an online screening exam created by the World Health Organization. It stipulates that the test is not a diagnosis. However, the ADDA recommends seeing a physician if the test results indicate you have ADHD. Conversely, if your results do not indicate that you have the disorder, but you have symptoms, you should still seek medical attention.
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