ADHD Medication Is Under Attack—And It’s a Dangerous Precedent for All Psychiatric Care
Bridgette Hamstead
The right to access safe, effective, and evidence-based medical treatment should not be a political issue. Yet, with the Trump administration’s latest executive order targeting ADHD medication and other psychiatric treatments, that right is now at risk. The language used in the order, which calls for an assessment of the “threat” posed by stimulants, SSRIs, and other medications, is more than just concerning—it is an outright attack on the legitimacy of psychiatric treatment and the millions of people who rely on it. This rhetoric is not just about policy changes; it is about reinforcing dangerous misconceptions that could have devastating consequences for neurodivergent and disabled individuals across the country.
At the center of this conversation is Robert F. Kennedy Jr., recently appointed as Secretary of Health and Human Services, a known anti-science figure who has spent years spreading harmful misinformation about vaccines and psychiatric medications. His new platform gives him unprecedented influence over public health policy, and the first signs of his agenda are already clear. The executive order establishes the “Make America Healthy Again” commission, which will investigate the use of psychiatric medications, particularly those used to treat ADHD in children and adults. The commission’s framing—treating medications as a “threat”—suggests that the findings of this investigation will not be grounded in scientific research, but rather in the administration’s pre-existing bias against psychiatric treatment.
This is not an abstract concern. ADHD medication, particularly stimulant medications like Adderall and Ritalin, is already difficult to access due to ongoing shortages that have left patients scrambling for months. Many who rely on these medications to function—whether at work, school, or in daily life—have been forced to ration their doses, switch to less effective alternatives, or go without treatment entirely. Now, in addition to the supply chain issues that have already made life harder for ADHD patients, we are facing a potential policy shift that could further restrict access to life-changing medication.
For those unfamiliar with ADHD, it is important to understand that medication is not a luxury—it is a necessity. ADHD is not simply a matter of being “distracted” or “hyper.” It is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects executive function, impulse control, time perception, working memory, and emotional regulation. Without treatment, many individuals with ADHD struggle to complete daily tasks, maintain employment, or manage relationships. Studies consistently show that untreated ADHD is associated with higher risks of academic failure, job loss, financial insecurity, substance use, and even suicide. Stimulant medications, which have been rigorously studied for decades, are one of the most effective treatments available for managing ADHD symptoms, often allowing individuals to function at their full potential for the first time in their lives.
The rise in ADHD diagnoses over the past two decades is not a sign of overdiagnosis, but rather a long-overdue recognition of a condition that has historically been misunderstood, particularly in women, people of color, and adults. For many, finally receiving an ADHD diagnosis—and access to proper treatment—has been life-changing. Medication allows people to focus, regulate their emotions, complete tasks, and navigate daily responsibilities in ways that were previously impossible. The suggestion that these medications are a “threat” ignores both the overwhelming scientific evidence of their effectiveness and the lived experiences of millions of ADHD individuals who rely on them.
Even if the administration does not immediately move to restrict ADHD medications, the broader implications of this executive order are alarming. It is part of a growing trend in which politicians and policymakers with no medical background feel entitled to dictate public health decisions based on ideology rather than science. The commission’s report, though not legally binding, will likely serve as justification for insurance companies to cut coverage for ADHD treatment or for regulatory agencies to impose stricter prescribing limits. If that happens, it will create even more barriers for people who already struggle to access their medication, disproportionately harming those who are already marginalized within the healthcare system.
This attack on ADHD medication is also a slippery slope. The executive order does not just target stimulants—it also raises concerns about SSRIs, mood stabilizers, and antipsychotic medications. While ADHD medication is the most immediate focus, the broader goal appears to be undermining the legitimacy of psychiatric treatment as a whole. Kennedy has already made it clear that he views psychiatric medication as unnecessary, promoting vague “wellness” approaches instead of evidence-based treatments. If his commission concludes that stimulants are overprescribed, what stops them from making the same claim about antidepressants or other essential medications? The long-term impact of this kind of rhetoric could lead to stricter regulations across all psychiatric medications, further stigmatizing those who rely on them.
The consequences of restricting or delegitimizing ADHD medication—and psychiatric medication in general—would be catastrophic. We already know what happens when ADHD goes untreated. We already know that denying access to medication does not eliminate the need for treatment—it simply forces people to seek alternatives, whether through unsafe self-medication, ineffective therapies, or underground drug markets. We already know that psychiatric medication, including ADHD medication, saves lives.
Beyond the immediate impact on patients, the broader cultural message being sent by this administration is one of deep ableism. When the government treats ADHD medication as a “threat” rather than a legitimate treatment, it sends a clear signal: neurodivergent people are not to be trusted with their own medical decisions. It tells us that our lived experiences do not matter, that our needs are secondary to political agendas, and that our access to healthcare is conditional on whether those in power view our diagnoses as legitimate.
This is not just an ADHD issue. It is a disability rights issue, a mental health issue, and an issue of scientific integrity. The fight to protect access to ADHD medication is part of a larger fight to ensure that all neurodivergent and disabled people receive the care and accommodations they need without stigma, misinformation, or unnecessary barriers. If the government can successfully erode access to ADHD treatment, it will open the door for further rollbacks in disability rights, healthcare access, and mental health protections.
Right now, ADHD patients, advocates, and medical professionals must push back against this narrative before it gains further traction. We need to demand that healthcare policy be driven by science, not by personal biases or political ideology. We need to protect access to stimulant medications, not only for those who currently rely on them but for the millions who will need them in the future. And we need to ensure that the broader attack on psychiatric treatment does not go unchallenged.
The ability to access necessary medical care should never be up for debate. ADHD medication, like all psychiatric treatment, exists because it works. It is time for policymakers to stop treating neurodivergent individuals as political pawns and start recognizing our right to the care we need to live full, functional, and healthy lives.