# Children received mental health treatment at record rates post-pandemic ADHD medication prescriptions surged 147% among 3-5 year olds - **Source:** [Reddit Science](https://brifing.si/source/1294ffb3-9f44-431d-8cd2-05584c8d9014) - **Published:** 2026-07-19 - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/0b918c86-1f9f-4cde-8585-c43725b3108d ## Psychological impacts of the pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic left profound effects on children's mental health. Social isolation and educational disruptions led to significant increases in diagnoses of conditions like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). ## Dramatic rise in youngest age group Prescriptions for stimulant medications to treat ADHD increased by 147% among children aged 3-5. Despite starting from a lower baseline, this age group showed the fastest growth rate post-pandemic. ## Diagnosis and treatment processes Parents' increased awareness while observing their children's behavior during remote learning facilitated earlier diagnoses. The expansion of virtual clinical assessments also improved access to care. ## Differences between age groups While school-age children still show higher ADHD rates, the sharp increase among preschoolers surprised experts. This points to the pandemic's unique effects on early childhood development. ## Long-term implications Researchers continue monitoring how early medication use affects development. The consequences of long-term stimulant use during critical brain development stages remain unclear. ## Public health significance These findings highlight the urgent need to strengthen children's mental health support systems. The post-pandemic era has reaffirmed the importance of early intervention programs, particularly for young children. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.reddit.com/r/science/comments/1v0noss/kids_received_mental_health_treatment_in_record/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._