What factors contribute to the significant increase in ADHD rates among children?

Description

According to a recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, approximately 1 in 9 children in the U.S. had received a diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder by 2022. This represents a significant uptick from previous years, with approximately 6.5 million children between the ages of 3 and 17 diagnosed with ADHD in 2022, compared to 5.4 million in 2016.

Lead author Melissa Danielson, a statistician at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, attributes this trend to several factors. Firstly, heightened awareness among doctors, parents, teachers, and children themselves has made identifying ADHD symptoms more accessible. Secondly, the availability of various treatments has incentivized healthcare providers to conduct more thorough assessments and diagnose children accordingly.

Danielson also suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic may have influenced the increase in ADHD diagnoses. The stress and disruptions caused by the pandemic may have exacerbated ADHD symptoms or prompted parents to observe their children more closely.

Mental health professionals specializing in ADHD diagnosis and treatment corroborate these findings. Dr. Willough Jenkins, a psychiatrist at Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego, notes a growing number of families seeking ADHD evaluations, particularly for girls and older children. This shift reflects a broader understanding of ADHD beyond its traditional association with hyperactive boys.