ADHD, or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that interferes with a person's functioning or development. Diagnosed in childhood, ADHD often persists into adulthood, impacting personal, social, academic, and occupational aspects of life. Approximately 11.4% of U.S. children aged 3–17 years have ever been diagnosed with ADHD. Worldwide, around 3.1% of adults live with ADHD. Interestingly, ADHD diagnosis rates in the United States have shown differing trends, with a downward trend in adults from 2016 to 2020 and an upward trend from 2020 to 2023.
To be diagnosed with ADHD, several inattentive or hyperactive-impulsive symptoms must have been present before age 12 and be evident in two or more settings. Symptoms must also interfere with social, school, or work functioning and not be better explained by another mental disorder. While boys are more than twice as likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than girls, symptom presentation can differ; boys tend to be more hyperactive, while girls may present differently, highlighting the need for more research in this area. Treatment options include medication (stimulants and non-stimulants) and psychosocial treatments, such as behavior modification. Recent research also suggests that exercise can be an effective non-drug way to improve mental skills often affected by ADHD.
