Surge in Adult ADHD Diagnoses Sparks Debate Over Diagnostic Practices and Accessibility

Sara Myers

1 week ago
Creative illustration highlighting ADHD awareness with colorful brain imagery.

Photo by Tara Winstead

New data reveals a sharp rise in ADHD diagnoses among U.S. adults aged 30–64, driven by heightened awareness, telehealth expansion, and social media influence. Between January 2021 and 2022, first-time diagnoses surged by 61% for adults aged 30–44 and 64% for those 45–64, according to a Truveta analysis of 30 health systems commissioned by The New York Times.

Dr. David Goodman, assistant professor of psychiatry at Johns Hopkins, attributes the trend to delayed recognition, particularly among women and people of color historically underdiagnosed in youth.

However, concerns persist about diagnostic reliability. Dr. Stephen P. Hinshaw, a UC Berkeley ADHD specialist, warned of “too-easy diagnoses” through online platforms offering assessments based solely on self-reports. A 2023 BBC undercover investigation found three UK private clinics diagnosing ADHD via 45-minute video calls, while an NHS in-person evaluation concluded no disorder.

Dolores Murphy, 53, of Milwaukee, recounted her misdiagnosis journey: “I’d convinced myself I was just crazy.” A therapist later identified ADHD, replacing her prior bipolar disorder diagnosis.

Prescriptions for ADHD medications like Strattera and stimulants have paralleled rising diagnoses. CDC data shows 4% of Americans aged 5–64 filled stimulant prescriptions in 2021, with the largest increases among women in their 20s–30s.


Sources:
[1] https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/11/well/mind/adhd-diagnosis-older-middle-age.html
[2] https://www.bbc.com/news/health-65534449
[3] https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/05/health/adhd-mental-illness-study-wellness/index.html
[4] https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/20/well/mind/adhd-adults-diagnosis-treatment.html
[5] https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-47297417
[6] https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/30/health/adhd-stimulant-prescriptions-increasing/index.html
[7] https://www.bbc.com/news/health-65534448
[8] https://www.cnn.com/2019/07/02/success/executives-with-adhd/index.html
[9] https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/06/well/mind/adult-adhd.html
[10] https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/19/well/mind/adult-adhd-diagnosis-distraction.html
[11] https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20241003-the-pros-and-cons-of-an-adult-diagnosis-with-adhd
[12] https://edition.cnn.com/2023/02/13/health/adhd-body-doubling-productivity-benefits-wellness/index.html
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[14] https://www.bbc.com/sn/tvradio/programmes/horizon/adhd_adult_qa.shtml
[15] https://www.cnn.com/2019/11/01/health/adult-adhd-rising-study/index.html
[16] https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/20/health/adhd-adults.html
[17] https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-44956540
[18] https://www.cnn.com/2017/11/27/health/girls-adhd-signs-partner/index.html
[19] https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/25/well/mind/adult-adhd-books.html
[20] https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-67480749


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