Prescriptions for medications to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder‚ or ADHD‚ surged during the COVID-19 pandemic‚ according to a new study. Prescriptions for stimulant and non-stimulant ADHD medications spiked during the coronavirus pandemic‚ according to a new study published in JAMA Psychiatry on Wednesday. The sudden demand for ADHD drugs helped fuel a shortage. There were approximately 5.9 million new prescriptions for stimulants in the first two years of the coronavirus pandemic — roughly 700‚000 more than in the two years before the pandemic started‚ or a 14% increase. Non-stimulant ADHD drug-use soared by 32% during the pandemic. Stimulant prescriptions for American adults ages 20 to 39 flared up 30% compared to before the pandemic. Meanwhile‚ non-stimulant ADHD prescriptions for the same age group skyrocketed by 81%.The use of stimulants and non-stimulant ADHD drugs rose by 25% in women. Meanwhile‚ prescriptions for other behavioral health issues — including antidepressants‚ benzodiazepines‚ and buprenorphine — did not change significantly in that same time period. Dr. Ann Childress told Time magazine that the increase in ADHD medication usage is likely due to more people working from home and getting easily distracted. The Las Vegas-based psychiatrist added‚ “People are more open to talking about mental health issues now."Telemedicine also increased ADHD medication use because it made it easier to get the medications. In October‚ the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Department of Health and Human Services announced it had extended telemedicine flexibilities through Dec. 31‚ 2024.Another possible factor was people becoming more aware of adult ADHD on social media. A study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released in March also found that ADHD drug use increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. The CDC said stimulant prescriptions rose from 3.6% in 2016 to 4.1% in 2021. However‚ stimulant prescriptions rose more than 10% for females aged 15-44 years and males aged 25-44 years during 2020-2021.There was previously a "demand-driven" shortage of Adderall — a common stimulant used to treat ADHD.In October 2022‚ the Food and Drug Administration announced a shortage of the "immediate-release formulation of amphetamine mixed salts‚ commonly referred to by the brand name Adderall or Adderall IR."An FDA spokesperson told ABC News on Thursday that some manufacturers of ADHD medications are still having "supply issues‚" but there are currently nine manufacturers with availability. The spokesperson added that "there will be additional supply returning in the coming months."The DEA and FDA previously called on manufacturers to increase production to meet the elevated demand. Adderall production is limited by the DEA because it is a controlled substance.The Mayo Clinic defines attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder as a "chronic condition that affects millions of children and often continues into adulthood" that "includes a combination of persistent problems‚ such as difficulty sustaining attention‚ hyperactivity‚ and impulsive behavior."The CDC estimates that there are approximately 6 million children between the ages of 3 and 17 — about 10% — who have been diagnosed with ADHD.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

A man who has filed lawsuits in dozens of states in a vain attempt thus far to knock former President Donald Trump off the primary ballot has now been accused of filing false tax returns for financial gain.On Wednesday‚ a statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office of the Northern District of Texas announced that John Anthony Castro has been charged with 33 counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation and presentation of a false and fraudulent return. The allegations stem from Castro's "virtual tax preparation business‚" Castro &; Company LLC‚ which has locations in Washington‚ D.C.‚ Orlando‚ and Mansfield‚ Texas.According to the allegations‚ for years‚ Castro bamboozled prospective clients by‚ first‚ giving them estimates of the tax returns that his competitors were likely to get them and then promising to secure a much larger return. Oftentimes‚ he would convince them to split the larger return with him‚ the statement claimed.To achieve those higher returns‚ Castro "generated false deductions without the taxpayer’s knowledge‚" the press release said.In 2018‚ an undercover federal agent may have caught Castro red-handed. According to the press release‚ Castro gave the agent the same spiel about securing a much better return than his rivals could‚ guessing that they would likely get him about $300‚ and then passed the agent along to one of his employees. During their conversation‚ the employee reportedly "did not identify any deductions" for which the agent might qualify‚ and the agent "denied any facts that would support deductions‚" the press release said. Nevertheless‚ Castro drew up the agent's filing‚ "claiming $29‚339 in fraudulent deductions‚" the statement said. As a result‚ the agent supposedly received a $6‚007 refund‚ of which he kept just over half‚ $3‚008. The other $2‚999 allegedly went into Castro's pocket.These and other alleged false tax returns resulted "in hundreds of thousands of improperly paid claims‚" the statement insisted."This is precisely the type of conduct IRS Criminal Investigation and our law enforcement partners are committed to deterring‚" said Tammy Tomlins of the Newark Field Office. "Today’s indictment sends a clear message‚ you will be held accountable‚ if you abuse our tax system for your personal financial gain."Castro‚ 40‚ appeared in court on Tuesday‚ though whether he entered a plea is unclear. As each of the 33 counts carries a sentence of up to three years in federal prison‚ he faces a total of 99 years behind bars if convicted.Castro unequivocally denied the charges in an interview with Newsweek‚ calling them "totally bogus." He also insisted they were politically motivated after his numerous lawsuits to try and remove Trump from the ballot because of supposed "insurrection.""We discussed the issue in 2020‚" he explained. "It was resolved in 2021. Why wait three more years to issue the indictment? And why impanel the grand jury right when I start taking on Trump? It's pure and total political retaliation."Newsweek noted that the charges against Castro were brought under the Biden administration by a Biden-appointed prosecutor.Castro‚ who is running for president as a Republican‚ has filed lawsuits in almost 30 states‚ and many of them — including those filed in Arizona‚ Florida‚ and Nevada — have already been dismissed. A district court in New Hampshire also rejected Castro's lawsuit there‚ ruling that Castro never "provided any evidence suggesting that he has voters or contributors in New Hampshire" or that he would "benefit from voter or contributor defections from Trump to himself." That decision was later upheld on appeal.Castro's campaign website‚ which appears to have been deactivated‚ positioned him as a blue-collared conservative who pulled himself up by his bootstraps. "John Anthony was born into a working class family who did not have the means to pay for his college or law school. Against all odds‚ John Anthony eventually graduated from Georgetown Law‚ founded his own law firm‚ started an Ai tech company‚ and is now ready to offer his leadership to his country as President of the United States‚" it said‚ Law&;Crime reported.Castro did graduate from law school but "is not licensed to practice law in the United States‚" according to the indictment. To date‚ not one of Castro's lawsuits against the former president has prevailed. Presidential candidate from Texas sues to keep Trump off NH ballot www.youtube.com Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

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Researchers have created the world's largest ancient human gene bank by analyzing the bones and teeth of almost 5‚000 humans who lived across Western Europe and Asia up to 34‚000 years ago. Read moreSection: NewsEvolution &; Human OriginsRead Later