Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most commonly diagnosed mental disorders among children, and may be diagnosed in adults, where it is often referred to as Adult attention-deficit disorder (AADD) if symptoms were present in childhood (even if undiagnosed in childhood). Current theory holds that approximately 30% of children diagnosed retain the disorder as adults.

Incidence

ADHD is considered by some to be a problem all over the industrialized world, although in no other country are children diagnosed with this disorder as often as in the United States.

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According to the 2000 edition of DSM-IV-TR, ADHD affects three to seven percent of all children in the U.S. According to 2002 data from the CDC's annual National Health Interview Survey, released in 2004, nearly 4 million children younger than 18 in the United States had been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The 2002 data indicated that twice as many boys were diagnosed with ADHD as girls (10% vs. 4%). Some experts theorize that ADHD is under-diagnosed in girls, since their symptoms tend to be less dramatic than those in boys and thus draw less attention from parents and teachers.

Related Topics:
2000 - DSM-IV-TR - Percent - 2002 - CDC - National Health Interview Survey - 2004

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A speculative explication for the higher diagnostical quota in the U.S. is reported, e.g. by E. Hallowell. He states that due to the high-risk traits of ADHD-affected people, it can be suggested that there was a higher prevalence for ADHD in the immigrants heading for America in former centuries than in the general population. Assuming that ADHD is inherited, this theory might merit further consideration. This theory is supported by the report in a study by Olfson (2003) that the ADHD treatment rate amongst Caucasian children is significantly higher than among African Americans (4.4% versus 1.7% in 1997). On the other hand it is also possible that social and other factors may prevail here. A different, often related theory, links the statistical difference mainly to a higher problem awareness and competence in the U.S. due to the longer research and public acquaintance with ADHD. Although all of these theories have some support, many are debated.

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