8 Reasons Why ADHD Diagnoses Are on the Rise (And Why It’s Not as Simple as You Think)
Wednesday, January 1, 2025..
Once upon a time, ADHD was seen as something affecting about 5–6% of kids, mostly the ones who couldn't sit still in class or remember to turn in their homework.
Fast forward to today, and the numbers are painting a different story.
The CDC estimates ADHD affects 11.4% of children, and in Sweden, 10.5% of boys and 6% of girls were diagnosed in 2022—a whopping 50% increase since 2019.
Experts predict these numbers will keep climbing until they plateau around 15% for boys and 11% for girls.
So what’s going on?
Is ADHD really spreading like pumpkin spice in autumn, or is something else at play? Here are 8 reasons ADHD diagnoses are skyrocketing—and they’re more interconnected than a messy ball of yarn.
Diagnosis Duos (Or Trios, or Quartets…)
Once upon a diagnostic time, doctors were told to stick with the “main character” diagnosis.
If someone had autism, ADHD was sidelined as a supporting role.
But today? It’s all about ensemble casts. Modern mental health practices encourage clinicians to give as many diagnoses as needed to paint a full picture of someone’s challenges. If ADHD is part of the mix, it gets its time in the spotlight.
Smarter Experts Mean Smarter Diagnoses
Today’s mental health professionals are like detectives with a degree in ADHD awareness. They know what to look for, especially in groups that used to fly under the radar, like girls, women, and adults. This shift in understanding means more people are getting the diagnoses—and help—they need.
ADHD: From Stigma to Style
Let’s face it: ADHD has undergone a major PR glow-up.
It’s no longer a label whispered about in hushed tones. These days, people are more open about their diagnoses, wearing ADHD as a badge of identity rather than a scarlet letter. Reduced stigma means more doctors feel confident in making the diagnosis, and people are less hesitant to pursue it.
Modern Life: The Ultimate Cognitive Bootcamp
Here’s the thing: ADHD isn’t a disease.
It’s a different arrangement of cognitive traits—like having the ingredients for a cake but struggling to bake it because the recipe is out of order.
Modern society, with its high-speed demands for focus, organization, and multitasking, can make these traits feel like flaws. The more society speeds up, the more people with ADHD traits struggle to keep up, leading to more diagnoses.
Rising Expectations (and the Stress That Comes With Them)
We live in a world where perfection is the baseline. People expect themselves—and their kids—to perform flawlessly at school, work, and home. When things fall short, ADHD often gets a seat at the blame table. Higher expectations drive more people to seek answers, and ADHD often fits the bill.
Schools Have Changed, and Not for Everyone’s Benefit
Remember when school was about sitting in rows and following clear instructions? Now, it’s a whirlwind of digitized learning, group projects, and self-guided studies. While this works great for some students, it’s a cognitive obstacle course for others, especially those with ADHD traits. As a result, schools are referring more students for ADHD assessments.
Policymakers Have Opened the Floodgates
In many countries, governments have worked hard to streamline the diagnostic process, making ADHD evaluations more accessible.
While this is great for reducing wait times, it also leads to more diagnoses. However, critics argue that instead of focusing solely on diagnoses, we should improve teaching methods, create neurodivergent-friendly workplaces, and offer support without requiring a formal label.
Diagnoses Unlock the Door to Help
Here’s the catch: in many societies, getting support often hinges on having a diagnosis.
Schools, workplaces, and healthcare systems are structured so that a clinical label is your golden ticket to resources. For some, this leads to “diagnostic upgrading,” where professionals may bend the criteria just enough to ensure someone gets the help they need.
A Bigger Picture
So, is ADHD really on the rise?
Yes and no.
The increase in diagnoses reflects a combination of greater awareness, reduced stigma, and societal shifts that highlight ADHD traits.
But it also underscores a broader issue: our systems often require a diagnosis to offer help, and modern life isn’t built with neurodivergence in mind.
Navigating these changes shows us one thing is clear: understanding ADHD isn’t just about the numbers. It’s about creating a world where every mind, no matter how it’s wired, has a chance to thrive.
Be Well, Stay Kind, and Godspeed.
RESOURCES:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2022). Data and statistics about ADHD. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov
National Board of Health and Welfare, Sweden. (2022). Statistics on ADHD diagnosis prevalence. Retrieved from https://www.socialstyrelsen.se
Barkley, R. A. (2018). Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Handbook for Diagnosis and Treatment (4th ed.). Guilford Press.
Hinshaw, S. P., & Scheffler, R. M. (2014). The ADHD Explosion: Myths, Medication, Money, and Today's Push for Performance. Oxford University Press.
Faraone, S. V., Biederman, J., & Mick, E. (2006). The age-dependent decline of ADHD: A meta-analysis of follow-up studies. Psychological Medicine, 36(2), 159–165. https://doi.org/10.1017/S003329170500471X
Rosenberg, A., & Kendall, J. (2020). The impact of school environments on ADHD diagnosis rates: A review of recent trends. Journal of Educational Psychology, 112(4), 567–580. https://doi.org/10.1037/edu0000412
Sontag, T. A., & Levine, A. M. (2019). Stigma and identity: ADHD's place in modern mental health. Journal of Mental Health Awareness, 15(3), 45–58. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638237.2019.1617329
Thomas, R., & Bennett, L. (2017). Changes in ADHD diagnostic practices: An international perspective. Global Psychiatry Reports, 25(1), 102–118. https://doi.org/10.1177/2045125317713250