Neurodivergence: Exploring Attention Deficit Prevalence

Awareness of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is growing. As a result, many people are under the impression that the prevalence of this condition is on the rise. So just how common is ADHD, and are some populations affected more strongly than others? 

Current estimates of how many people live with ADHD vary significantly, between about 3% and 10% of the general population. It’s also diagnosed at higher rates in some populations, including white children and boys of all ethnicities, though this likely reflects diagnostic gaps rather than actual prevalence. Many people with ADHD also have co-occurring mental illnesses that can complicate diagnosis and treatment. Read on to explore more statistics related to this form of neurodivergence. 

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The prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): How many people have it?

Alternative prevalence estimates

Other researchers have suggested that the true prevalence of ADHD may be substantially lower. They argue that survey-based methods may include many people who don’t meet the full diagnostic criteria outlined by the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). A 2022 study using more restrictive sampling methods estimated that only about 3.5% of children have ADHD. 

This more conservative estimate would align well with others on the topic of adult ADHD around the globe. For example, a 2023 paper suggests that around 3.1% of the worldwide adult population meet the criteria for an ADHD diagnosis.

Debating adult-onset attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in neurodiversity

The similarity between child and adult populations would make sense if ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition that emerges at a young age and persists throughout the lifespan. However, some reports have suggested that it’s possible to develop this syndrome in adulthood. A review from 2021 reported that the worldwide incidence of ADHD could be as high as 6.76% when including adult-onset cases.

Not all experts believe that ADHD can appear in adulthood, however. One study examining late diagnoses concluded that 95% of purported adult-onset ADHD cases were better explained by other factors, such as other mental health conditions or cognitive impairments due to heavy substance use.

Are ADHD diagnoses becoming more common?

The past few decades have seen a dramatic rise in the visibility of ADHD. When it was first defined in the late 1970s, it was known as “attention deficit disorder” or ADD, and diagnosis was relatively rare. 

Increased awareness and diagnosis rates in neurodiversity

Since then, increasing awareness among parents and caregivers, teachers, clinicians, and the general public has led to a sharp increase in diagnosed cases. A paper in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) reported that between 1997 and 2016, the rate of ADHD diagnosis climbed from 6.1% to 10.2%. This increase led to concerns that clinicians may be overdiagnosing this disorder, potentially leading to children being unnecessarily medicated. 

However, a more recent study suggests that diagnoses appear to have leveled off, with no significant increase in the number of cases between 2017 and 2022. This could still be higher than the true prevalence rate in the population, but it suggests at least that the diagnosis rate has not continued to grow. 

Overall, it’s not clear whether there’s a real problem related to ADHD overdiagnosis. There’s some evidence that the increase seen in the past decades can be largely explained by factors like greater awareness of ADHD symptoms and a broader but more accurate set of diagnostic criteria.

Demographic factors in ADHD and autism spectrum disorder diagnoses

Some people may be more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD  or Autism Spectrum Disorder than others. For example, this form of neurodivergence is identified in around 13% of boys but only 6% of girls. There are also racial disparities: White children are diagnosed at the highest rates, followed by Black children, Hispanic children, and children of other ethnicities such as Asians and Indigenous Americans. Similarly, autism is diagnosed more frequently in boys than girls. 

Underdiagnosis of neurodivergence in certain populations

Evidence suggests that these differences probably don’t reflect real ethnic or gender-based differences in rates of ADHD. Instead, they may be due to underdiagnosis in certain populations.

Ethnic minorities, for instance, may be less likely to experience adequate availability of social and mental health services, making it more likely for a child’s ADHD to go overlooked. Stereotypes and bias may play a factor as well. For example, attentional difficulties, hyperactivity, and poor impulse control in Black or Hispanic children may be more likely to be perceived as disciplinary problems. 

Gender differences in ADHD presentation

Gender disparities in diagnostic rates could be due partly to differences in the way ADHD typically presents in boys versus girls. Studies suggest that male children are more likely to display impulsive and hyperactive symptoms, while female children tend to experience more challenges with inattention and distractibility. Differences in how the genders are socialized may also lead girls to develop more compensatory behaviors that mask their symptoms. 

Many researchers and treatment providers find these systemic inequities concerning. Children who aren’t diagnosed accurately due to racial or gender differences may not receive the ADHD treatment they might need to thrive. 

ADHD and other mental health conditions in neurodivergence

Other psychiatric conditions often occur alongside ADHD in the same individual. This has been known since at least 2004, when the National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R) was released.

Comorbidity with other mental health disorders

Further research has only confirmed these findings. A 2022 review of the scientific literature reported that the prevalence of several kinds of mental illnesses is significantly higher among those with ADHD, including:

• Depressive disorders (up to 55% among people with ADHD vs. up to 12.5% of those without ADHD)
• Bipolar disorder (35.3% vs. 3.6%)
• Anxiety and trauma-related disorders (47.1% vs. 9.5%)
• Substance use disorders (41.2% vs. 16.6%)
• Personality disorders (65.9% vs. 34.4%)

[Note that the numbers listed above are the high-end estimates for each class of conditions; some estimates are much lower, but the differences between ADHD and non-ADHD individuals persist.

There also appears to be substantial overlap between those with ADHD and those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Depending on which estimates are referenced, between 30–65% of children with ADHD also meet the criteria for ASD. 

Since both are highly heritable conditions involving impairments in neurological development, some have speculated that there may be a connection between ASD and ADHD, or even that they could be considered two different forms of the same disorder. That said, current evidence suggests that they’re best viewed as distinct conditions, though they do share some genetic risk factors.

How many people with ADHD receive treatment?

Based on statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 77% of children with ADHD in the US are receiving some form of treatment. This includes 62% who are taking medication and 47% who are undergoing some type of behavioral treatment. Many receive both. 

Treatment disparities among populations

However, these numbers can vary based on demographic factors, and there are significant treatment gaps among certain populations. A 2023 survey found that white children with ADHD were considerably more likely to receive medical attention, medication, and mental health treatment than Black, Asian, or Hispanic children. 

Treatment rates in adults with ADHD and autism spectrum disorder

People in general may also be considerably less likely to receive support and treatment after childhood. Some experts estimate that fewer than 20% of adults with ADHD are being treated in any way for this condition. When ADHD goes untreated, it may have significant consequences for mental and physical well-being. Possible outcomes include lower self-esteem, higher rates of substance misuse, and reduced professional and personal success. 

Getting support for ADHD

If you think you might have undiagnosed ADHD or have been diagnosed but are not receiving care, speaking with a mental health care provider can be an important first step in getting support. A qualified therapist can often suggest helpful strategies for managing your symptoms, achieving better day-to-day functioning, and maintaining your well-being. They may also be able to refer you to a psychiatrist to discuss options for medication if desired.

Learn healthy coping strategies for living with ADHD

Get support from a mental health professional

Some people with ADHD may find it challenging to locate a treatment provider and attend sessions regularly, which is an example of an instance in which online therapy can be especially convenient. Internet-based treatment platforms like BetterHelp can connect you with a licensed and experienced therapist, with no waiting lists, referrals, or commutes required. You can then attend therapy sessions remotely from the controlled and comfortable environment of your choosing.

Web-based therapy is supported by an increasing number of studies that indicate it’s often highly effective. Some researchers have even uncovered evidence that it may work well for ADHD in particular. A meta-analysis published in 2022 suggests that online mental health treatment can be an effective form of therapy, potentially leading to significant reductions in ADHD symptoms.