Adderall, which contains the drugs amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, is often prescribed to treat ADHD
Elizabeth D. Herman/New York Times/Redux/eyevine
The number of adult men in the UK diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has increased nearly 20-fold between 2000 and 2018, potentially due to a greater awareness of the condition.
Doug Mckechnie from University College London and his team analyzed anonymized records from National Health Service doctors across the UK during this 18-year period.
Their research revealed that the number of ADHD diagnoses in adult men increased by about 20 times, compared to a 15-fold increase among women. It is known that ADHD is more common in males of all ages than females.
“Patients and clinicians being more aware has contributed significantly to the rise in ADHD diagnoses. This has made it more likely for individuals’ symptoms to be recognized and attributed to ADHD,” explains Mckechnie. Common symptoms of ADHD include difficulty concentrating, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness.
Mckechnie suggests that the increase in cases might also be due to a better understanding of how ADHD persists beyond childhood. “Previously, it was believed that most people no longer had ADHD once they reached adulthood, but this is no longer the prevailing view,” he says.
Among children, diagnoses also increased during this 18-year period in all age groups, except for children aged 3 to 5 years. In this age group, diagnosis rates dropped by approximately half in boys and by a third in girls.
The reason for the decline in diagnosis rates among young children is unclear. Since ADHD medication is not recommended for children under 6, doctors may be less inclined to diagnose individuals in this age group, Mckechnie suggests. He also points out that it is possible that the waiting list to see a doctor for a diagnosis is becoming longer, causing children under 6 to age past their 6th birthday before being seen and diagnosed.
The researchers also found that the number of ADHD diagnoses among both adults and children was almost twice as high in the most deprived areas of the UK compared to the least deprived areas. The reasons for this disparity are unclear, but Mckechnie suggests that a combination of genetic and environmental factors could play a role. Individuals who are genetically predisposed to ADHD may find that it affects their education and career prospects, leading them to live in more disadvantaged areas, he explains.
While the findings only cover up to 2018, Mckechnie believes that the rates of ADHD diagnoses are likely even higher now. “In my clinical experience as a general practitioner, I have noticed a significant increase in patient requests for ADHD assessments since 2020,” he says.
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