Rising ADHD Diagnoses Among Children: A Growing Concern in the US

Researchers have uncovered a concerning increase in the number of children diagnosed with ADHD. The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology on May 22, was led by Melissa Danielson from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 2022, 1 out of every 9 children aged 3 to 17 in the United States were diagnosed with ADHD.

The study revealed that ADHD is characterized by symptoms such as inattention, hyperactivity/impulsivity, functional impairment in various settings, and an onset of symptoms by age 12. The growing number of diagnoses has raised concerns among public health officials.

Data from the National Health Interview Survey indicated a 10.2% increase in ADHD diagnoses between 2015 and 2016 in the US. In 2022, researchers found that 11.4% of children fell into this category, which equates to approximately one in nine children being diagnosed with ADHD.

One notable finding from the study was that boys were more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD compared to girls. Boys tended to have behavioral or conduct problems or autism spectrum disorder, while a higher prevalence of anxiety or depression was seen in girls.

Researchers believe that several factors could contribute to the rise in ADHD diagnoses, including increased awareness and care-seeking for mental health issues or a reflection of the mental health challenges faced by children during the COVID-19 pandemic. While there has been an increase in awareness and acceptance seeking mental health care for ADHD may have reduced stigma associated with it, more research is needed to understand why this trend is occurring and how it can be addressed effectively.

Additionally, despite an increase in diagnoses, more than one third (30.1%) of children with ADHD are not receiving treatment compared to only about one-fifth (23%) who received treatment back in 2016.

Overall, while research has shed light on some potential contributing factors to the rise in ADHD diagnoses among young people today’s ongoing investigation will continue to uncover new insights into this growing issue.