Adult ADHD Diagnosis Rates in the USA

Plain-language summary

Research suggests that defining ADHD and studying its prevalence over time has been challenging, partly because the diagnostic criteria themselves have evolved. While we know ADHD is a common neurodevelopmental disorder, pinpointing exact changes in diagnosis rates in adults based on these studies is difficult due to the broad nature of the research provided. The available studies do not directly address trends in adult ADHD diagnosis rates in the USA or the contributing factors.

Key findings

• ADHD is considered a common neurodevelopmental disorder, often characterized by inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity.
• The definition and understanding of ADHD have been continually re-evaluated and redefined over time, making consistent tracking of prevalence challenging.
• Epidemiological studies on ADHD show significant variations in reported incidence rates, indicating that current diagnostic systems may not yet provide fully objective criteria.

Studies cited (2)

1. [Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder or bipolar disorder in childhood?] — Lazaratou H (2012, Psychiatrike = Psychiatriki, other)

   Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is considered one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood, characterized by inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity. Even though a strict definition of this entity is constantly sought, ADHD is an often redefined and reconceptualized syndrome. Epidemiological studies show large differences in the incidence, pointing out that the effort of actual taxonomic systems to offer objective diagnostic criteria have not yielded substantial results. Bipolar Disorder (BD) with onset in childhood is distinguished from the adult form

2. Stimulant and non-stimulant drug therapy for people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and epilepsy — Eaton C, Yong K, Walter V (2022, The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, other)

   DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD013136.pub2 PMCID: PMC9289704