So how many of us have ADHD?
How much of the population has this neurodevelopmental disorder?
ADHD Childhood Prevalence
According to a 2007 meta-analysis, the worldwide prevalence of ADHD in children and adolescents is around 5.3% (Polanczyk et al. 2007) with a male: female ratio of 2:1.
The discrepancy in diagnosis according to sex might result from referral biases.
The symptoms of ADHD between males and females do vary (we will dive into this more later), and many girls do go undiagnosed because:
1. Their symptoms might not be as overt as their male counterparts
2. Societally expected differences between males and females.
ADHD Adult Prevalence
The prevalence in adults has been estimated at 2.5% (Song et al. 2021). In adulthood, sex differences are almost nonexistent.
Hmm, interesting.
Why the discrepancy between adult and childhood populations?
Are people being ‘cured’ of ADHD?
Or are people just developing coping mechanisms that overcome their ADHD symptoms, so they lose the label?
According to PsychCentral.com and WebMD, there is no cure…
No cure?
Oh no.
What does this mean?
According to the prevailing ADHD medical professionals, ADHD symptoms can get milder as a person ages, but the disorder never completely disappears.
However, many adults who’ve been properly treated for ADHD can live without symptoms and be happy, functional adults.
So while the ADHD brain doesn’t ever leave you, it is possible to live a symptom-free life when properly treated :)
