A significant rise in adult ADHD diagnoses is being seen across the U.S., particularly among individuals aged 30 and older, as changing attitudes toward mental health and the growth of telemedicine have made diagnosis and treatment more accessible, The New York Times reported Dec. 11.
According to an analysis by health firm Truveta, the rate of first-time ADHD diagnoses has increased by more than 60% since 2021 among adults aged 30 to 64.
The shift is especially notable among women and people of color, who "are more likely to be underdiagnosed in early life," according to the Times. Sixty-one percent of women with ADHD are diagnosed in adulthood compared to 40% of men.
The surge in ADHD diagnoses is also attributed to the growing presence of social media platforms like TikTok, as many people identify with ADHD symptoms after watching viral videos. A survey by Ohio State University found that 25% of adults believed they had undiagnosed ADHD.
Despite the rise in diagnoses, experts warn that online self-diagnosis tools and social media may result in hasty or inaccurate conclusions, emphasizing the importance of professional evaluation for proper diagnosis.