More U.S. adults are being diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
A recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report indicates that approximately 15.5 million American adults have ADHD.
This accounts for about 6% of the adult population, or one in every 16 adults nationwide.
Notably, around half of these individuals did not receive their diagnosis until adulthood.
The CDC gathered this data through the National Center for Health Statistics Rapid Surveys System between October and November 2023.
The report highlights certain demographic trends among adults diagnosed with ADHD. Adults with ADHD were more likely to be aged 50 or younger compared to those without the diagnosis—84.5% versus 51.2%, respectively.
Additionally, a higher percentage of non-Hispanic White adults reported an ADHD diagnosis, with 70.4% compared to 61.4% in the non-ADHD population. Income levels also played a role; those earning less than the federal poverty level were more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD (22.1%) compared to higher-income individuals (12.3%).
Treatment accessibility remains a significant concern. About one-third of adults with ADHD reported taking stimulant medications as part of their treatment plan. However, more than 71% of these individuals found it difficult to obtain their prescriptions. Additionally, approximately half of the diagnosed adults have utilized telehealth services to receive treatment for ADHD.
The CDC acknowledged several limitations within the study.
The data relied on self-reports of ADHD diagnoses, which might be subject to recall and reporting biases and were not validated against medical records. Surveys conducted with commercial online panels often have low response rates, potentially underrepresenting certain subpopulations and increasing the risk of nonresponse bias.
Furthermore, sociodemographic and geographic data were collected before the survey was administered, which could have influenced the demographic distribution for variables such as age, education, household income, and metropolitan status.
Jonathan Alpert, a psychotherapist practicing in Manhattan and Washington, D.C., has observed a growing concern about ADHD among his patients.
“There certainly are those accurately diagnosed with ADHD and in need of medication,” he stated. “However, much like the GLP-1 phenomenon, there’s a shortage of medication because of all the people using it off-label or not truly in need of it.”
Alpert highlighted the importance of psychological and behavioral interventions as the first line of treatment.
“When it comes to the treatment of ADHD and other mental health disorders, the first line of treatment should be psychological and behavioral intervention—not necessarily medications, as they are not without side effects,” he advised.
He also pointed to the potential role of electronic devices and social media in the rising number of ADHD diagnoses.
“The very nature of these is to provide stimulation through a device where the brain is continuously engaged—and, for many people, overly engaged,” Alpert cautioned. “This leads to distractibility, disorganization, and the inability to complete tasks, among other hallmark features of the diagnosis.”
Alpert suggested that lifestyle changes could play a crucial role in managing ADHD symptoms.
“By making significant behavioral and lifestyle changes, one can start to minimize their symptoms and make improvements, thereby lessening their reliance on medication,” he said.
The growing number of adult ADHD diagnoses highlights the need for careful evaluation and suitable treatment strategies.
While medication can be effective for some, experts like Alpert recommend a more balanced approach that includes psychological support and lifestyle changes.
As the discussion around mental health continues to develop, it is important for individuals and healthcare providers to consider all factors contributing to the increase in ADHD diagnoses and to explore a variety of treatment options.