A shortage of ADHD medication and a significant backlog in ADHD diagnoses have forced Brits to turn to Google for answers and support, raising urgent concerns within the medical community.

Click Pharmacy analysed Google search data on a range of key health topics, to find the nation’s top health concerns, with 16,000 people a month searching “Do I have ADHD”.

Top ten most Googled mental health concerns

1. ‟ Do I have ADHD”, with a monthly volume of 16000
2. ‟ How to stop overthinking”, with a monthly volume of 6600
3. ‟ Do I have autism”, with a monthly volume of 4000
4. ‟ Do I have ADHD test”, with a monthly volume of 4000
5. ‟ How to stop anxiety”, with a monthly volume of 3600
6. ‟ How to stop biting nails”, with a monthly volume of 3600
7. ‟ Do I have anxiety”, with a monthly volume of 2600
8. ‟ Do I have depression”, with a monthly volume of 2200
9. ‟ Do I have BPD”, with a monthly volume of 2000
10. ‟ How do I know if I have ADHD”, with a monthly volume of 1800

Some private medical practices have even closed their books to new patients wanting an ADHD assessment, leaving them without the guidance of healthcare professionals and the support they desperately need. This situation is not only dangerous, but can also lead to misinformation and unnecessary anxiety.

“There’s been a significant rise in diagnosis of ADHD and autism since 2000, which has been attributed to more awareness and better diagnostic practices, advancements in the research and less stigma.”  says Jana Abelovska, superintendent pharmacist at Click Pharmacy. “However, a lot of people get their information about autism and ADHD online, particularly TikTok, but research has found that this information is rarely reliable, leading to incorrect self–diagnosis.”

To do, if you think you have a mental health problem

• Keep a journal. If you’re experiencing symptoms which are beginning to affect your everyday life, it’s important to keep a record of how often and in which circumstances they occur. Not only will this improve your awareness of the symptoms, but it will be useful to present to a medical professional as and when you seek help.
• Talk to someone you trust. Reach out to a friend, family member, or colleague you feel comfortable with. Sharing your concerns with someone you trust can provide emotional support and help you feel less alone in your struggle.
• Find local support. Especially in the current climate of delayed diagnosis and stretched mental health services, consider finding local resources and support groups to help you through your journey. Support from those who have experienced what you’re going through can be invaluable.

Further findings

• Blood pressure is the biggest health concern of the nation, according to Google data
• Brits turn to Google to myth bust some pregnancy questions
• 1.6k people a month search “can you get chlamydia from oral sex”