A study published in 2022 revealed that cases of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) among children in the U.S. have been on the rise, with approximately 1 in 9 children diagnosed with ADHD at some point in their lifetimes. The number of children ages 3 to 17 with ADHD increased from 5.4 million in 2016 to 6.5 million in the same year, as reported by Melissa Danielson, the lead author of the study. She cited increased awareness among doctors, parents, teachers, and children regarding ADHD symptoms, leading to more cases being identified, as well as the availability of more treatment options as reasons for the trend.
The study indicated that the Covid-19 pandemic may have also played a role in the increase in ADHD diagnoses, either by exacerbating symptoms or allowing parents to observe their children more closely. Mental health professionals, including Dr. Willough Jenkins, a psychiatrist at Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego, reported an uptick in families seeking ADHD diagnosis for their children, particularly among girls and older children. The disorder, characterized by difficulty concentrating, sitting still, or controlling impulses, has seen a rise in awareness over the past few decades.
Thomas Power, director of the Center for Management of ADHD at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, attributed the pandemic-related stress of remote learning, social isolation, and disrupted routines to the acceleration of ADHD diagnoses among children. The increased screen time during the pandemic may have also contributed to the rise in ADHD diagnoses, as excessive screen time has been linked to an increased risk of the disorder. Furthermore, changes in diagnostic guidelines by the American Psychiatric Association in 2013 have expanded the criteria for diagnosing ADHD, allowing more children with autism or later-onset symptoms to access treatment.
Despite the increase in ADHD diagnoses, a significant percentage of children with ADHD in 2022 did not receive behavior therapy or medication, compared to previous years. The shortage of ADHD medications reported by the Food and Drug Administration starting in 2022, which was attributed to high demand due to rising ADHD diagnoses, may have contributed to the lack of treatment access for some children. Additionally, finding appointments with doctors who treat ADHD, particularly in areas with high demand, can be challenging, further hindering children from accessing necessary treatment.Behavior therapy is usually recommended for younger children with ADHD, while older children often receive a combination of behavior therapy and medication. However, some children receive behavior therapy in school, and the shift to virtual learning during the pandemic may have limited access to these services. Overall, while the increase in ADHD diagnoses reflects improved awareness and access to treatments, the gaps in treatment access for some children highlight the need for continued efforts to ensure all children with ADHD receive the care they require.
