ADHD feels like it's everywhere? Researchers see no upswell
The disorder, with symptoms such as a short attention span and restlessness, has received widespread attention in recent years. PHOTO: REUTERS
ADHD feels like it's everywhere? Researchers see no upswell
LONDON – ADHD may seem like it's everywhere at the moment, but researchers found its prevalence hasn't changed much in recent years.
A review by King's College London's Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience found that the proportion of people with a medical diagnosis for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder didn't increase meaningfully between 2020 and 2024.
The findings published on June 5 are based on four studies only, due to the poor quality of most of the others reviewed by the researchers.
The disorder, with symptoms such as a short attention span and restlessness, has received widespread attention in recent years.
The scientists called for more research to guide clinical practice and public-health policy.
'The media has been concerned about a 'surge' in ADHD diagnoses for several years,' said Dr Alex Martin, a psychology lecturer at King's College London and one of the study's authors.
'While assessments and help-seeking may be increasing, our study has shown significant gaps in the tracking of ADHD prevalence, resulting in a frustratingly unclear picture.'
More people are getting checked for ADHD, which the scientists suggested 'may be reflective of a societal change in the way the condition is conceptualised.'
Social media posts and engagement could have contributed to the increased demand as it helped reduce stigma, Dr Philip Shaw, a professor of child and adolescent psychiatry at King's College who didn't participate in the study, said on a conference call regarding the findings.
How social media influences brain function is also unknown.
While research is ongoing, it's too early to determine whether platforms including Instagram and TikTok contribute to the development of ADHD, according to Dr Shaw.
Scientists don't yet know for certain if social media use is driving some symptoms of inattention, Dr Shaw said, or whether children susceptible to distraction 'are exactly the ones who are going online and multitasking.' BLOOMBERG
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