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Free Download: How Common Is ADHD in Adults?

How many people have ADHD? How many adults with an ADHD diagnosis have a comorbidity? Find out and read on for more ADHD statistics and facts.

By ADDitude Editors Verified Updated on February 5, 2024
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ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) is a neurological disorder that impacts the parts of the brain that help us plan, focus on, and execute tasks.

Nearly 1 in 22 American adults have ADHD, which is characterized by a persistent pattern of inattention, hyperactivity, and/or impulsivity that interferes with and impacts work, home life, and relationships — especially if left untreated. 1

Historically, it was considered a childhood condition, but ADHD is now recognized as a lifelong condition that persists well into adulthood. In fact, according to research published in American Journal of Psychiatry and JAMA Network Open, ADHD diagnoses among adults are growing four times faster than ADHD diagnoses among children in the U.S. (26% increase among children vs. 123% among adults from 2007 to 2016). 1,2

However, fewer than 20% of adults with ADHD are accurately diagnosed and treated.3, 4

In this download, you will learn the following:

  • How many adults worldwide have ADHD
  • How many adults with ADHD are accurately diagnosed and treated
  • How many adults diagnosed with ADHD have a comorbid condition
  • The most prevalent comorbid conditions among adults with ADHD
  • The ADHD diagnosis rates among adults of all races and ethnic groups
  • And much more!

NOTE: This resource is for personal use only.

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1 Kessler, R.C., Adler, L., Barkley, R., Biederman, J., Conners, C.K., Demler, O., Faraone, S.V., Greenhill, L.L., Howes, M.J., Secnik, K., Spencer, T., Ustun, T.B., Walters, E.E., & Zaslavsky, A.M. (2006). The Prevalence and Correlates of Adult ADHD in the United States: Results From the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. American Journal of Psychiatry. 163(4). doi:10.1176/ajp.2006.163.4.716

2 Chung, W., Jiang, S. F., Paksarian, D., Nikolaidis, A., Castellanos, F. X., Merikangas, K. R., & Milham, M. P. (2019). Trends in the Prevalence and Incidence of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Among Adults and Children of Different Racial and Ethnic Groups. JAMA Network Open. 2(11), e1914344. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.14344

3Barkley, R.A., Brown, T.E. (2008). Unrecognized Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Adults Presenting with Other Psychiatric Disorders. CNS Spectrums. 13(11):977–984. doi: 10.1017/S1092852900014036

4Katzman, M.A., Bilkey, T.S., Chokka, P.R., Fallu, A., & Klassen, L.J. (2017). Adult ADHD and Comorbid Disorders: Clinical Implications of a Dimensional Approach. BMC Psychiatry. doi: 10.1186/s12888-017-1463-3