A recent study has found different trends in ADHD diagnoses among teenagers and adults, with an increase in adult diagnoses from 2020 to 2023.
Key Findings:
- Adults: The number of adults diagnosed with ADHD decreased from 2016 to 2020 but then increased from 2020 to 2023.
- Adolescents: The number of teenagers diagnosed with ADHD dropped from 2016 to 2018 and then remained steady from 2018 to 2023.
What is ADHD? ADHD, or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, is a condition that makes it hard for people to pay attention and control impulsive behaviors. While it’s often thought of as a childhood issue, it can also affect adults. However, there isn’t as much research on ADHD in adults, and findings vary.
The Study: Researchers from Saint Louis University and SSM Health looked at the medical records of over 140,000 teens and adults from a large healthcare system in four states. They used these records to identify new ADHD diagnoses and analyze trends over time.
Factors Affecting ADHD Diagnoses: The study suggests that several factors could explain the changes in ADHD diagnosis rates:
- Increased awareness and reduced stigma around ADHD may lead to more diagnoses.
- Changes in the official criteria for diagnosing ADHD could also result in more people being diagnosed.
- Differences in how doctors assess and diagnose ADHD can impact rates.
- The COVID-19 pandemic might have played a role in new ADHD diagnoses and worsening symptoms.
This research highlights the importance of understanding how ADHD affects both teens and adults and suggests that more awareness and improved diagnostic practices could help identify and support those with ADHD.