ADHD diagnoses are surging across America and the UK, but experts say the actual number of people with the condition hasn’t significantly changed – it’s our awareness and willingness to seek help that’s evolving.
At a Glance
- Over 7 million U.S. children were diagnosed with ADHD in 2022, alongside 8.7 million adults – a significant increase from previous years
- The true prevalence of ADHD remains stable, but diagnosis rates are rising due to increased awareness, reduced stigma, and pandemic-related factors
- NHS England estimates nearly 2.5 million people in England may have ADHD, with over half a million waiting for assessment by March 2025
- Experts are investigating whether high digital engagement may be contributing to attention problems, but causal relationships remain unclear
- Healthcare systems globally are struggling to meet the increased demand for ADHD assessments
Rising Diagnosis Rates vs. Stable Prevalence
ADHD has become the most commonly diagnosed behavioral disorder in children, with more than 7 million American children receiving this diagnosis in 2022. This represents a measurable increase from 2016 figures. Similarly, adult diagnoses have climbed, with approximately 8.7 million adults in the U.S. now reported to have ADHD. These rising numbers have prompted questions about whether ADHD is becoming more common or if other factors are at play.
Research indicates that while diagnosis rates are climbing, the actual prevalence of ADHD in the population has remained relatively stable. A comprehensive study by King’s College London, which reviewed global ADHD research from 2020 onwards, confirmed this distinction. The discrepancy between prevalence and diagnosis rates suggests improved recognition rather than an epidemic of new cases.
“What we did find was that ADHD prevalence in adults and children has remained largely stable since 2020.”, said Dr Alex Martin.
Pandemic Impact on ADHD Recognition
The COVID-19 pandemic created unprecedented conditions that contributed significantly to the surge in ADHD diagnoses. Remote learning environments gave parents direct observation of their children’s learning behaviors, often revealing attention difficulties that might have gone unnoticed in traditional classroom settings. Additionally, the pandemic triggered widespread mental health concerns, leading to more diagnostic evaluations that uncovered previously unidentified ADHD cases.
“The pandemic played a role. Increased mental health concerns (especially stress, anxiety and depression) were reported by youth, parents and teachers. These mental health concerns led to more diagnostic evaluations which, in turn, led to increased ADHD diagnoses. (Without an evaluation, there is no diagnosis.) In addition, the pandemic was associated with remote learning, frequently observed by parents. Since 2020, our own clinic has seen an increase in evaluation requests by parents who cite their observations of their child during remote learning as the precipitating factor. Thus, in my opinion, the pandemic played a role in the increased ADHD diagnoses.”, stated Kevin Antshel.
Healthcare Systems Under Strain
The rising demand for ADHD assessments is placing unprecedented pressure on healthcare systems worldwide. In England, NHS figures reveal that nearly 2.5 million people, including 741,000 children, may be living with ADHD when counting both diagnosed and undiagnosed cases. By March 2025, projections indicate that 549,000 individuals will be waiting for ADHD evaluations, creating significant challenges for the existing healthcare infrastructure.
This surge has led many experts to describe the situation as a case of healthcare services “playing catch-up” with years of under-recognition. The current strain on assessment services represents an attempt to address what Professor Edmund Sonuga-Barke describes as “chronic under-recognition” of the condition. For individuals seeking diagnosis, the extended waiting periods can mean prolonged suffering without proper support or treatment.
“It seems that our best evidence suggests that the true rate of ADHD probably isn’t increasing that much. However, it’s absolutely crystal clear that there is an increase in the number of people who are being clinically recognised or diagnosed as having ADHD in the United Kingdom. However, I will note that that rate is still probably lower than the best estimates we have of the rate of true ADHD in the population.”, said Professor Philip Shaw.
Digital Media and Attention Concerns
Researchers are increasingly investigating potential links between high digital engagement and attention problems. Some studies have identified correlations between extensive social media use and ADHD symptoms, though experts caution against concluding direct causation. The relationship appears complex, with digital platforms potentially exacerbating existing attention vulnerabilities rather than creating them outright.
The hypothesis that online activity might be creating a “distracted generation” remains under investigation, with mixed findings. While concern exists about how digital media may shape attention spans, particularly in developing minds, researchers emphasize that ADHD is fundamentally a neurodevelopmental condition with strong genetic components. The digital landscape represents just one of many environmental factors that may influence how symptoms manifest.
“I believe that ADHD diagnosis rates will continue to increase in the United States. Increased awareness (driven in part by social media), better societal acceptance of neurodiversity and lower resulting ADHD stigma, as well as the fast pace of 21st century life might all contribute to this increase. I also worry that this increased identification will amplify some of the existing inequities that we have currently in ADHD diagnosis (lower rates in historically marginalized populations).”, concludes Antshel.
