Prevalence of ADHD
03 Feb 2020
Prevalence estimates of ADHD within and between countries often vary widely, with a significantly higher prevalence in the United States than in European countries.
The worldwide community prevalence of ADHD (children) is about 5 - 7%.
According to the DSM-IV criteria, around 2.5% of the general adult population suffers from ADHD.
According to the DSM-IV criteria, around 2.5% of the general adult population suffers from ADHD.
Just to remind you that ADHD is one of the most common mental illnesses in childhood and adolescence.
ADHD is more common in boys than in girls, with a ratio of 2–3 to 1 reported in community prevalence studies.
Epidemiological studies have shown no change in the worldwide population-based prevalence of 5-7% over the last 30 years. Rising rates of diagnosis are thus not due to a real increase in prevalence, but rather to improved diagnosis or to an increase in functional impairment.
Sayal, K., Prasad, V., Daley, D., Ford, T., & Coghill, D. (2018). ADHD in children and young people: prevalence, care pathways, and service provision. The Lancet Psychiatry, 5(2), 175–186. doi:10.1016/s2215-0366(17)30167-0
Banaschewski, T., Becker, K., Döpfner, M., Holtmann, M., Rösler, M., & Romanos, M. (2017). Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Current Overview. Deutsches Aerzteblatt Online. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2017.0149
ADHD is more common in boys than in girls, with a ratio of 2–3 to 1 reported in community prevalence studies.
Epidemiological studies have shown no change in the worldwide population-based prevalence of 5-7% over the last 30 years. Rising rates of diagnosis are thus not due to a real increase in prevalence, but rather to improved diagnosis or to an increase in functional impairment.
Sayal, K., Prasad, V., Daley, D., Ford, T., & Coghill, D. (2018). ADHD in children and young people: prevalence, care pathways, and service provision. The Lancet Psychiatry, 5(2), 175–186. doi:10.1016/s2215-0366(17)30167-0
Banaschewski, T., Becker, K., Döpfner, M., Holtmann, M., Rösler, M., & Romanos, M. (2017). Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Current Overview. Deutsches Aerzteblatt Online. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2017.0149
