About 6% of U.S. adults have been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but according to a new survey, about 25% of people believe they might have the condition.
In a survey of 1,006 American adults, one in four respondents said they suspected they are living with undiagnosed ADHD. However, only 13% said they’ve broached the subject with their doctor.
The survey authors also noted generational differences in the results—young adults were more likely to suspect that they had ADHD but were also more likely to seek out treatment and a diagnosis.
The survey was conducted between August 16 and August 18 and was released by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center on October 14.
The fact that so many Americans suspect they have ADHD but haven’t sought care is a concern, experts said. Not addressing it with a doctor could make all the difference between getting the necessary treatment and struggling with undiagnosed ADHD or another neurodevelopmental disorder.
“To me, [the survey] highlights the importance of a thorough psychological evaluation to determine the cause of attention and concentration issues, given there can be multiple underlying causes that are not ADHD,” survey author Justin Barterian, PhD, clinical assistant professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, told Health.
Here’s what experts had to say about adult ADHD, how common the condition really is, and the signs and symptoms of adult ADHD that you should look out for.
Why Are Some People Diagnosed with ADHD Later in Life?
Common ADHD symptoms include being distracted, feeling restless, or making impulsive decisions, and these symptoms are often associated with children. An estimated 7 million kids across the U.S. have ever received an ADHD diagnosis, according to 2022 data.3 The condition continues into adulthood for about one-third of kids.
However, a sizable number of people living with ADHD aren’t diagnosed until later in life, explained J. Russell Ramsay, PhD, psychologist and former co-director of the University of Pennsylvania’s Adult ADHD Treatment and Research Program.
In fact, new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data found that half of people with ADHD received their diagnosis during adulthood, Ramsay told Health.
Though the condition manifests differently in each person, it’s likely that adults getting newly diagnosed with ADHD did have symptoms growing up, too.
“ADHD is a neurodevelopmental syndrome, meaning it is present throughout development,” he said. “Verifying the emergence of symptoms in childhood—even if not recognized and requiring treatment —is part of a competent evaluation, as is considering and ruling out other explanations for the symptoms.”
There are a number of reasons why a person’s ADHD symptoms might have been missed or dismissed during their childhood. Many people appear to “grow out of” hyperactivity, even though their ADHD symptoms just become more internalized, Barterian said. A family’s beliefs over mental health treatment or certain “protective factors,” such as parents helping their child keep up with tasks or homework, can also play a role, he said.
Gender is another factor—ADHD is more prevalent among men, but Barterian said that he encounters more adult women seeking ADHD diagnoses in his practice. This could be due to the fact that girls with ADHD “tend to be more inattentive, which is less noticeable than the hyperactivity and impulsivity often seen in boys,” he explained.
Does ADHD Really Affect 25% of Americans?
There’s a substantial gap between estimates of ADHD prevalence in the U.S. compared to the whopping 25% of adults who think they might have the condition, per the new survey. There are a few potential explanations for this, Barterian explained.
The “overpathologizing of normal behaviors” is one, he said. Additionally, Barterian said multiple mental health issues can lead to issues with attention, including anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). For many people, ADHD may simply be a go-to explanation for smaller issues with concentration or symptoms that stem from something else entirely.
Online misinformation can also play a role, Barterian added.
Social media is flooded with content about different mental and physical health concerns. Though often well-intentioned, much of this information is unvetted and can lead to further confusion. A 2020 analysis revealed about one-third of Americans reach medical self-diagnoses by way of online information.
Whether this information you see on your feeds is helpful or harmful can depend on the situation.
“I think this may be a big factor,” Barterian said. “For some people, it has resulted in them questioning the challenges they have experienced, ultimately seeking an ADHD evaluation that confirms diagnosis...For others, it can lead to conclusions that normal behaviors are abnormal.”
This is because symptoms of ADHD “are non-specific, akin to a fever in general medical practice,” Ramsay added. For example, if you have a fever, you could have the flu, or you could have malaria—you need more information from a medical provider to actually figure out what’s going on, he said.
“Scroller beware, it is not the best source of information,” Ramsay said. “That said, rather than self-diagnosis, I consider it as self-screening, something to follow up on with a competent assessment for ADHD.”
Noticing Signs of ADHD, and When to Seek Help
When it comes to ADHD, there is no one-size-fits-all all experience. That being said, Ramsay said one “essential element” in diagnosing ADHD centers on when one’s symptoms “are creating persistent problems and impairments in life.”
That could mean ongoing difficulties with procrastination, trouble managing time at school or work, or struggling to focus on projects or tasks, even though you’re trying to change your behavior, he said.
“The World Health Organization offers a free Adult ADHD Symptom Rating Scale, the ASRS, that you can find online and is a reliable screening tool,” he suggested.
Once you’ve identified that you might have undiagnosed ADHD, the next crucial step is getting in touch with a healthcare provider. As the results of the new survey showed, that’s sometimes easier said than done.
Long wait times for ADHD evaluations can discourage people, Barterian said, as can fears that a doctor might not validate or respect their concerns.
“The fact that only 13% raised the issue with their doctors might be an effect of the limited time in most primary care visits and not getting around to its discussion,” Ramsay added. “It is likely that many people might not know where to start, and more likely face difficulties finding mental health professionals experienced with the assessment and treatment of adult ADHD.”
However, if you’re having difficulty focusing or are experiencing hyperactivity and impulsivity that hinder your ability to perform, it’s certainly best to get in touch with a medical provider as soon as you can, Barterian said.
The broader goal would be to catch all ADHD cases early, before they go under the radar, undiagnosed into adulthood. Future research should center on finding better screening tools that can lead to earlier diagnoses and interventions, Barterian added.
As Always Stay Safe, Stay Healthy and BE Careful out there.
James A Vito, D.M.D.