Adhd why so many

It is also possible that the samples were exposed to factors that affect ADHD, but until more is known about these factors, it is not possible to know whether changes in these factors explain some of the variation.

Perhaps relatedly, the number of FDA-approved ADHD medications increased noticeably since the s, after the introduction of long-acting formulations. Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link. Section Navigation.

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate. Minus Related Pages. Data table. Get Email Updates. To receive email updates about this topic, enter your email address: Email Address. The environmental risk factor with the strongest evidence may be preterm birth and low birth weight. As Hinshaw points out, improvements in neonatal intensive care in the past couple decades means that more children born at extremely low birth weights are surviving.

Other studies have suggested that exposure to toxins like lead or smoking during pregnancy and traumatic brain injuries may play a role. In light of data like this newest report, a clear understanding of ADHD may be more important than ever. In addition to better diagnostic tools and more treatment options, learning more about the role of environmental factors could lead to possible preventions—especially for children who may be genetically predisposed to the condition.

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So why are so many children reportedly diagnosed with ADHD today? Increased awareness of the disorder and access to medical care could be a factor.

If more kids are actually experiencing ADHD today than they were before, then the question becomes why that is. There are several environmental risk factors that research has associated with an increased risk of developing ADHD, though nothing has been shown to be a definitive cause. Carolyn covers all things health and nutrition at SELF. Her definition of wellness includes lots of yoga, coffee, cats, meditation, self help books, and kitchen experiments with mixed results. Today, that number is roughly one in 9.

Marketing — Medication companies have stepped up their advertising campaigns, directly targeting physicians and consumers whenever possible. The influence of US-style psychiatry — Psychiatry in the United States leans more towards biological treatments of mental illnesses, while much of the world has traditionally favored talk therapy. In recent years, however, more and more non-US psychiatrists are traveling to the United States for training — leading to a spread of US-style psychiatric methods around the world.

In the past few years, however, the DSM has gained traction in international markets — linked again to the rise of US-trained psychiatrists around the world. Self-tests are common, allowing people to go to their physician with an ADHD diagnosis already in mind. Patient advocacy groups provide support and information to those who suspect they may have ADHD, and often host ADHD-themed conferences for patients and providers.

In short, the Social Science and Medicine article ties rising ADHD diagnoses to pharmaceutical marketing and loosening medical standards that they say over-medicate certain behavioral characteristics unnecessarily.