ADHD in the US: A Look at Prevalence and Challenges

In 2022, data from the Mental Health Client-Level Data (MH-CLD) by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA) showed that around 1 in 10 patients had ADHD. That's a lot of people! Being diagnosed with ADHD seems to be common among kids aged 0-11, and less so among folks with higher education. Interestingly, ADHD is more common among those not working and black individuals. Areas like the Midwest and South also had higher rates. Men and folks who have never married tended to have more ADHD diagnoses. ADHD often shows up with other conditions too, like oppositional defiant disorder and autism. To handle ADHD better, schools, workplaces, health providers, and policymakers need to work together. They should consider things like where people live, their background, and other health issues when creating plans to support those with ADHD.