How Common Is ADHD?

It has been estimated that about three to five percent of school-age children in the United States have ADHD, and that about three times more boys than girls are diagnosed with it. In recent years, the number of children being diagnosed with and receiving treatment for ADHD has increased significantly. It is unclear whether this increase reflects a rise in actual rates of ADHD, better recognition of and more effective treatments for ADHD, heightened media coverage and public awareness of ADHD, or some combination of these factors. Research has shown that although many children receiving stimulant medication for ADHD do not actually meet criteria for the diagnosis, many children who do meet criteria do not receive appropriate or effective treatment.

There is growing awareness that ADHD typically persists throughout childhood and adolescence into adulthood at least to some degree. However, rates of ADHD in adults--which are presumed to be lower than in children--have not yet established.

What Other Disorders Are Common in People with ADHD?

Many people with ADHD have comorbid (co-occurring) mental disorders. Common comorbid disorders include learning disorders, language disorders, behavior disorders such as conduct disorder and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), and mood disorders such as depression.