America is running low on Adderall. A shortage of the stimulant drug, commonly used to treat ADHD, is leaving many of its prescriptions unfilled. But why are so many people being diagnosed with ADHD in the first place?
“There are multiple studies, peer reviewed studies indicating that ADHD diagnoses have been increasing in the U.S. Including in childhood populations,” said Paul Morgan, professor and researcher at Penn State University.
A 2018 study published by University of Iowa researchers in JAMA shows a 4.1% increase in ADHD diagnoses among children from 1997 to 2016.
“And a particular focus of that work is trying to understand disparities in ADHD diagnosis and treatment,” said Morgan. He studies data on elementary school students nationwide. Morgan explains that one potential reason for more diagnoses is the growing awareness of ADHD and the treatments that come with it.
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