Since 2020, there has been a notable rise in adults reporting difficulties with memory and concentration, symptoms common to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). By 2023, approximately 7.8% of American adults received an ADHD diagnosis, which coincided with increased Google searches on the subject and widespread social media coverage. ADHD is characterized as a neurodevelopmental disorder that typically begins in childhood but affects individuals throughout their lives. Factors influencing ADHD include genetics and environmental conditions. The rise in diagnoses may point to either an actual increase in cases or changes in societal perceptions of ADHD.
The data showed a sharp rise, since 2020, in Americans reporting serious difficulty remembering, concentrating or making decisions, which are among the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). By 2023, CDC data had confirmed that a record 7.8 per cent of American adults reported an ADHD diagnosis. Google searches for 'ADHD' surged, and TikTok videos tagged #ADHD had racked up more than 20 billion views.
ADHD is classified as a neurodevelopmental disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), characterised by disrupted brain functioning stemming from abnormal neural development.
ADHD is largely inherited through a person's genes but also influenced by environmental factors such as stressors and protective supports. The DSM defines neurodevelopmental disorders, with onset typically in childhood, and the course lasting a lifetime.
There could be an increase in the adults diagnosed with ADHD, possibly indicating a real epidemic or a changing public perception of ADHD, making the category more inclusive.
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