Is ADHD still skyrocketing among young people? Experts crunching the data suggest it's not
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common mental disorders, affecting an estimated 8 per cent of children and teenagers. Worldwide, around 366 million adults have ADHD, with symptoms including trouble focusing, restlessness, and impulsivity.
But a new analysis, published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, suggests the apparent recent uptick in ADHD cases may be more due to recognition than reality.
It looked at 40 studies on ADHD from 2020 onward. While there were major gaps in data, the highest-quality studies found no significant increase in the overall prevalence of ADHD in that time.
Related
Popular ADHD TikTok videos often do not accurately reflect symptoms, experts say
They also found no meaningful increase in new diagnoses from 2020 to 2024, though they have been trending upward in recent decades.
Researchers also noted that a growing number of people are getting tested and seeking support for ADHD.
'Our best evidence suggests the true rate of ADHD isn't increasing that much,' Philip Shaw, director of the King's Maudsley Partnership for Children and Young People, told journalists.
'My hunch is there's such a huge awareness of ADHD that it's often used as… the way young people express they are struggling at school and need help,' added Shaw, who was not involved with the new study.
Related
'Historical stigma and ignorance': Why is Europe struggling to focus on adult ADHD?
Researchers said the longer-term increase in ADHD cases is likely due to some combination of 'catch-up' diagnoses among people whose conditions were not detected when they were young, as well as changes to how ADHD is diagnosed, pandemic-era disruptions, social media, and other unknown reasons.
Some have proposed that constant stimulation from social media and mobile phones – which has earned young people the title of the 'distracted generation' – could be driving an increase in ADHD.
A 2023 study, for example, found a link between ADHD symptoms and excessive social media use, smartphone dependence, and internet addiction.
Related
'Deeply concerning': Adults with ADHD may have shorter life expectancies
But not all attention problems are ADHD, and 'it's too early to say what's causing what here,' Shaw said. 'We don't know what's the chicken and what's the egg'.
Researchers said more studies are needed to confirm whether more people are actually developing ADHD than in the past, or if they are simply more likely to be diagnosed.
'We should be looking at these questions… and I think that is what's happening,' Shaw said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Boost Your Focus Fast With the Best Natural Remedies for ADHD
Of the 15.5 million adults in the U.S. with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), about 6.8 million are women. But that number doesn't tell the whole story, as we tend to be underdiagnosed. The good news is that growing knowledge of the condition means this gap is closing fast, and more people are finally getting the treatment they need. The even better news is there are effective, natural remedies for ADHD that can help. Here's everything you need to know about the foods, nutritional supplements and clever lifestyle tweaks shown to improve focus and increase attention span—while letting all the unique strengths associated with ADHD shine through. The main signs of ADHD include hyperactivity, impulsivity, lack of executive functioning (managing and finishing tasks), trouble concentrating and emotional dysregulation. A few symptoms, however, may present differently in women, says John J. Ratey, MD, Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, internationally recognized expert in neuropsychiatry and coauthor of Driven to Distraction: Recognizing and Coping with Attention Deficit Disorder and ADHD 2.0. Anger or aggression is typically more common in boys and men. But in girls and women, that frustration may turn inward, he notes. 'Women may internalize a bit more, meaning instead of yelling at others, they might direct that emotion toward themselves and become depressed.' There's also a higher prevalence of eating disorders in women with ADHD, adds James Greenblatt, MD, a globally recognized pioneer in functional and integrative psychiatry, developer of the ADHD course Functional Medicine for Mental Health | Mind Refined and author of Finally Focused: The Breakthrough Natural Treatment Plan for ADHD. Disordered eating, he explains, may be linked to ADHD-induced behaviors like trouble with impulse control and the desire to self-soothe. 'Eating does help the brain concentrate,' notes Dr. Gleenbatt, adding that, like most things in life, it's only when we go overboard that it can become a problem. Years ago, the ratio of girls to boys who were diagnosed with ADHD was about 1:8; thanks to increasing awareness, today it ranges from 1:2 to 1:4, estimates Dr. Ratey. 'Compared to boys, girls tend to have superior language skills, which can mask other symptoms that might have been identified earlier,' he explains. Nutrition profoundly affects behavior and brain health, says Dr. Greenblatt. Here he shares the main dos and don'ts of a diet plan designed to manage ADHD symptoms. 'We know that sweetened beverages—everything from Gatorade to sodas—are correlated with ADHD,' Dr. Greenblatt says, explaining that this is in large part because refined sugar depletes B vitamins, which are optimal for brain function. While there isn't a universal, agreed-upon 'menu' that works for everyone with the condition, research in the journal Pediatrics suggests that a Mediterranean diet may decrease the likelihood of developing ADHD in children and adolescents, confirms Greenblatt. In this case, what's good for the developing brain is just as healthy for the adult brain, so go ahead and fill your plate with veggies, nuts, olive oil and legumes. Try to make sure you have protein at every meal, since studies suggest it helps steady blood sugar levels. 'While high blood sugar doesn't cause ADHD symptoms, it can make them worse,' Dr. Greenblatt says. Excellent sources of protein include eggs, seafood, lentils and lean meats like poultry. Drs. Greenblatt and Ratey tick off a few key vitamins and supplements shown to improve focus and overall health, especially for people with ADHD: Though he acknowledges TikTok may have gotten 'carried away' with extolling the merits of magnesium, Dr. Greenblatt says it's a key supplement that helps reduce ADHD symptoms. 'Close to 100 percent of my patients with ADHD are put on magnesium because it helps with everything from sleep to anxiety to overactivity,' he reveals. He recommends taking 200 to 400 mg of magnesium daily. Because B vitamins play a key role in energy metabolism, they can help ease hyperactivity and improve focus, notes Dr. Greenblatt. He adds that everyone with ADHD should have their vitamin B levels tested. Talk to your doctor to learn if this supplement is natural ADHD remedy that's right for you, and if so, at what dosage. Low levels of zinc have long been associated with ADHD. That's likely because the mineral is 'critical to hundreds of enzymes in the body, as well as to neurotransmitter synthesis," Dr. Greenblatt explains. Still, he cautions to avoid taking it over the long-term because too much can lead to a copper deficiency. Dr. Greenblatt suggests aiming for 15 to 30 mg of a zinc supplement daily. Research shows the fatty acids help 'contain the impulsivity and obsessive-compulsive behaviors sometimes associated with ADHD,' per Dr. Ratey. That's because Omega-3s aid neurotransmitters and are central to brain health. Reap the benefits by taking 250 mg to 500 mg of EPA and DHA daily. From the simple standing trick that sparks brain activity to the novel way to, well, read a novel, Dr. Ratey shares surprising natural ADHD remedies shown to increase focus. 'The moving brain is the thinking brain,' Dr. Greenblatt declares. 'Regular exercise gives you the same neurotransmitter jolt as the stimulant medications prescribed for ADHD. So, walking or weightlifting a few times a week, for example, will help release dopamine and serotonin—the effects are very similar to Ritalin.' And if you can take your daily walk with a friend, all the better. Connection and social interaction are key to managing ADHD, he adds. Not only do they bring you joy and purpose, they also light up the brain, as engaging in conversation is a deceptively complex cognitive task. Tip: Not a fan of walking? Any exercise will do the trick, including a wonderfully nostalgic activity: jumping rope. Dr. Ratey recalls treating a child with ADHD who would have a tantrum every time she sat down to do math homework. 'I told her mom to have her jump rope for five minutes right before sitting down—it helped her focus, and she made it through the work.' Fast forward 30 years and she's more than comfortable with numbers. 'Today, she's a nurse and had to do a lot of math to get where she is,' he shares proudly. 'The attention system in the brain is extremely dependent on the balance system—they're very interactive,' Dr. Ratey says. 'So, when you're at the sink preparing the dishes for the dishwasher, stand on one leg for a few seconds or minutes. Or challenge yourself to put your shorts or pants on standing up without holding on to anything.' The more you practice, the sharper your attention span will become. Back in the 1980s, when Dr. Ratey was starting his career, one of the treatments for dyslexia was reading while standing up because this simple power pose improves cognition. The same holds true when it comes to natural remedies for ADHD, he explains. 'When you're standing or moving, your brain is already active, spurring greater activity in the attention center.' For all the ways to corral ADHD, it must be said that it also confers unique strengths. 'People with this condition are often very creative because they see things others don't,' observes Dr. Ratey, who admits to having a large 'swath' of ADHD himself. 'When everyone else is following the leader or the same old doctrinal way of doing things, they make their own path.' Adds Dr. Greenblatt, 'I don't care whether you use a medicine or a natural approach, ADHD is a neurobiological illness that can be treated. It's not your fault—and it's certainly not a weakness.' More stories on ADHD: Do You Struggle With ADHD? Changing Your Diet and Habits in These 5 Ways May Help Ease Symptoms Empowering Parents of Children with ADHD: Tips and Strategies from the ADHD Thrive Institute The Unmet Needs of Neurodivergent Children, Lavonne Taylor Appeals for Early Intervention and Support This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always consult your physician before pursuing any treatment plan.
Medscape
a day ago
- Medscape
Early Puberty Onset Linked to Higher Mental Health Risk
TOPLINE: Patients diagnosed with central precocious puberty (CPP) — a condition in which physical changes related to pubertal development occur earlier than usual — had a nearly 50% elevated risk of developing psychiatric disorders, including depression and anxiety, and the incidence of both depression and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) remained persistently elevated for years after diagnosis. METHODOLOGY: Researchers in Germany conducted a population-based, retrospective cohort study using health insurance data (from January 2010 to June 2023) to evaluate the association between idiopathic CPP and the development of psychiatric disorders. They included 1094 patients with idiopathic CPP (91.3% girls) and individually matched them with 5448 control individuals without the condition (matched for sex, birth year interval, insurance period, and obesity); participants had continuous insurance coverage for at least 2 years during the study period. The exposure of interest was a diagnosis of CPP, and psychiatric outcomes evaluated included depression, anxiety disorders, oppositional defiant and conduct disorders, ADHD, self-harm behaviours, and substance use disorders. TAKEAWAY: Patients with CPP had a higher risk for any mental disorder than their matched control individuals (adjusted risk ratio [aRR], 1.48; 95% CI, 1.31-1.67). They also showed a higher risk for depression (aRR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.37-2.20), anxiety disorders (aRR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.16-1.82), oppositional defiant and conduct disorders (aRR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.39-2.23), and ADHD (aRR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.27-1.86) than matched control individuals. Temporal trends showed that incidence rates of oppositional defiant and conduct disorders were elevated even before the diagnosis of CPP; however, rates of depression and ADHD remained persistently high for up to 8 years after the initial diagnosis. IN PRACTICE: "Caretakers of patients with CPP should actively explore psychological symptoms and facilitate early intervention to influence lifetime trajectories of this vulnerable patient population positively. Because our findings indicate long-term sequelae of CPP on mental health, caretakers should be vigilant even after normalization of pubertal development," the authors wrote. SOURCE: This study was led by Lars Dinkelbach, MD, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany. It was published online on June 23, 2025, in JAMA Network Open. LIMITATIONS: This study relied on physician-reported diagnoses in a population-based setting and on routine health insurance data, which limited its ability to control for confounding variables. The precision of age-related analyses reduced due to data-anonymity policies of the insurance data. The small number of cases with self-harming behaviours or substance use disorders limited the ability to conclude any association. DISCLOSURES: This study was financially supported by a fellowship of the University Medicine Essen Clinician Scientist Academy, which was supported by the German Research Foundation and non-financially supported by the Gesellschaft für Wirtschaftlichkeit und Qualität bei Krankenkassen Service Plus AG. One author reported receiving grants from Gemeinsamer Bundesausschuss outside the submitted work. This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.
Medscape
a day ago
- Medscape
Telehealth vs In-Person ADHD Prescribing: Which is Safest?
TOPLINE: Prescribing stimulants for teens and adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) via telehealth was not associated with increased risk for substance use disorder (SUD) compared with in-person prescribing, a new study suggested. However, receiving an initial stimulant prescription via telehealth was linked to a sixfold higher risk for stimulant use disorder (stimUD). METHODOLOGY: Researchers analyzed electronic health record data for nearly 8000 US patients with ADHD from 2020-2023. Participants were aged ≥ 12 years (52% > 26 years, 25% 18-25 years, and 23% 12-17 years), had received initial stimulant prescriptions during the study, and did not have a non-nicotine SUD diagnosis at baseline. 26 years, 25% 18-25 years, and 23% 12-17 years), had received initial stimulant prescriptions during the study, and did not have a non-nicotine SUD diagnosis at baseline. Outcomes were the development of stimUD or non-nicotine SUD, defined as meeting one of the three criteria: a diagnostic billing code, a positive response on patient-reported outcome measures, or receipt of medications approved by the FDA for SUD treatment. Patients were grouped on the basis of whether their relationship with the prescriber was exclusively via telehealth (n = 720) or included in-person contact (n = 7224); and whether the stimulant prescription was issued via telehealth (n = 3981) or in-person (n = 3963). Covariates included psychiatric comorbidities, demographic factors, and characteristics of clinical care. TAKEAWAY: After adjusting for covariates, SUD risk was not significantly higher among patients with a telehealth-exclusive relationship with their prescriber (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.9; P = .35) or a stimUD (aOR, 1.3; P =.72) than among those with in-person relationships. relationship with their prescriber (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.9; P = .35) or a stimUD (aOR, 1.3; P =.72) than among those with in-person relationships. Receiving an initial stimulant prescription via telehealth was associated with a significantly higher risk for stimUD (aOR, 6.2; P = .02) but not SUD (aOR, 1.2; P = .23) than receiving that via in-person. For patients aged 26 years or older, receiving initial stimulant prescriptions via telehealth was associated with a significantly higher risk for subsequent SUD (aOR, 1.5; P = .03) than receiving that via in-person. This association was not significant in younger age groups. IN PRACTICE: 'Our study suggests that, generally, telehealth-based relationships — which make healthcare more accessible — can be safe and don't increase the risk of substance use disorder,' lead study investigator Vinod Rao, MD, PhD , Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, said in a press release. However, the findings, 'particularly for stimUD, require replication in other healthcare settings,' the investigators wrote. SOURCE: This study was published online on June 11 in The American Journal of Psychiatry. LIMITATIONS: Limitations included a reliance on administrative claims data, which captured filled prescriptions but not actual medication use, potentially introducing exposure misclassification. Diagnoses of SUDs were according to coded claims rather than clinical assessments, which may have led to underreporting or misclassification. The analysis was also limited to commercially insured participants, reducing the generalizability of the findings. Additionally, race and ethnicity data were incomplete, and long-term outcomes beyond 12 months were not assessed. DISCLOSURES: This study was funded by research awards from the FDA and the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Two investigators reported receiving research funding from the National Institutes of Health and private foundations, receiving support for clinical program development from regional health organizations and foundations, holding consultancy or editorial roles with government, nonprofit, and academic entities, or having intellectual property interests related to pharmaceutical and digital therapeutics collaborations. The other five investigators reported no relevant financial relationships. This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.
