What would you like to find today?

Adult ADHD has long been a subject of debate in the field of mental health, with previous estimates of its prevalence varying widely. To achieve a more precise understanding, an international team of researchers conducted a new umbrella review and meta-analysis, offering an updated estimate of adult ADHD rates worldwide.

A Comprehensive Approach: Reviewing 57 Studies

This large-scale analysis combined five systematic reviews and meta-analyses, incorporating data from 57 unique primary studies. Altogether, the research synthesized findings from a pooled total of over 21 million participants. This comprehensive approach provided a more accurate estimate of the global prevalence of ADHD in adults.

Key Findings: 3.1% Global Prevalence

The study concluded that the worldwide prevalence of adult ADHD is 3.1%, with a 95% confidence interval ranging from 2.6% to 3.6%. This estimate falls within the range of earlier reports but provides a more targeted understanding of the rate at which ADHD affects adults globally.

Putting the Numbers in Context

The researchers described this prevalence rate as “relatively high.” They noted that it is only slightly lower than the estimated prevalence of major mental health conditions like schizophrenia (4%) and major depressive disorder (5%)—disorders that have historically received significant attention and resources worldwide.

Moreover, the prevalence of adult ADHD is higher than that of several other well-known mental health conditions, including bipolar disorder (1%), as well as anxiety disorders such as PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder), GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder), and panic disorders.

Implications for Awareness and Treatment

This updated estimate emphasizes that ADHD is a significant global mental health concern in adults, comparable to or exceeding the prevalence of other disorders that are often more widely recognized. These findings underscore the need for greater awareness, research, and treatment options for adult ADHD, which is still frequently misunderstood or overlooked in the broader discourse of mental health.

Conclusion

By providing a clearer picture of how prevalent ADHD is in adult populations around the world, this study contributes valuable data that could shape future research, policy, and clinical approaches.

‍

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) remains a prevalent condition among children and adolescents in the United States. A recent analysis based on the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics at the CDC, provides an updated look at ADHD prevalence from 2018 to 2021. Here’s a closer look at what the data reveals.

How the Survey Works

The NHIS is an annual survey primarily conducted through face-to-face interviews in respondents’ homes. Telephone interviews are used as a substitute in cases where travel is impractical. For each family interviewed, one child aged 3-17 is randomly selected for the survey through a computer program. Over the four years studied (2018-2021), a total of 26,422 households with children or adolescents participated.

Overall ADHD Prevalence and Age-Related Trends

The analysis found that 9.5% of children and adolescents in the United States had been diagnosed with ADHD, based on reports from family members. However, the prevalence varied significantly with age:

• Ages 3-5: 1.5%
• Ages 6-11: 9.6%
• Ages 12-17: 13.4%

The increase in ADHD diagnosis with age underscores the importance of monitoring children’s developmental needs as they progress through school and adolescence.

Gender Differences: Higher Rates Among Males

The survey revealed a notable difference in ADHD prevalence between genders, with 12.4% of males diagnosed compared to 6.6% of females—nearly a two-to-one gap. This aligns with previous research indicating that ADHD is more frequently diagnosed in boys than girls, though awareness of how ADHD presents differently across genders is growing.

Family Income and ADHD Rates

Family income played a significant role in ADHD prevalence, particularly among lower-income groups:

• Below the poverty line: 12.7%
• Above the poverty line but less than twice that level: 10.3%
• Above twice the poverty level: 8.5%

This pattern suggests that socioeconomic factors might influence the diagnosis and management of ADHD, with lower-income families possibly experiencing greater barriers to early diagnosis or consistent treatment.

Regional Differences Across the U.S.

Geographic location also impacted ADHD rates. Prevalence was highest in the South (11.3%), followed by the Midwest (10%), the Northeast (9.1%), and significantly lower in the West (6.9%). These variations could reflect regional differences in healthcare access, diagnostic practices, or cultural attitudes towards ADHD.

Stability Over Time

Despite these variations in demographics, the overall prevalence of ADHD remained relatively stable across the study period from 2018 to 2021, showing no significant changes by year.

What This Means for Families and Healthcare Providers

The findings from this updated analysis provide a clearer picture of ADHD’s prevalence across different demographic groups in the United States. They highlight the need for tailored approaches to diagnosis and care, taking into account factors like age, gender, income, and geographic location. With ADHD being a common condition affecting nearly 1 in 10 children, ongoing research and support for families are crucial to ensure that those with ADHD receive the care and resources they need.

Conclusion: 

This study reinforces the importance of awareness and early intervention, especially for families in underserved regions or those facing economic challenges. As clinicians and educators continue to support children with ADHD, understanding these demographic trends can help in creating more equitable access to diagnosis and treatment.

‍

‍

Stimulant medications like methylphenidate and amphetamines are well-established treatments for reducing ADHD symptoms, making a notable difference in focus and behavior. Given that caffeine is also a stimulant, researchers have wondered whether it might offer similar benefits for managing ADHD symptoms. A recent meta-analysis conducted by a Brazilian research team sought to explore this question.

The Search for Evidence: A Limited Pool of Studies

The researchers faced an immediate challenge: there is surprisingly little research directly investigating caffeine's effects on ADHD symptoms. After a thorough review of peer-reviewed literature, they identified only four randomized controlled trials (RCTs) suitable for their analysis, encompassing a combined total of just 152 participants.

The limited number of studies—and participants—meant that the meta-analysis was not as robust as the research team might have hoped. However, they proceeded to examine the available data to determine whether caffeine showed any measurable benefit over a placebo.

Findings: Minimal Impact, No Statistical Significance

The results of the meta-analysis showed a slight decrease in ADHD symptoms among those who consumed caffeine compared to those given a placebo. However, this reduction was not statistically significant. The small sample size likely played a role in this outcome, making the study underpowered. Even if future studies with larger groups of participants were to show statistical significance, the observed effect size would likely remain too small to be clinically meaningful.

Interestingly, the four trials included in the meta-analysis showed very little variation in their findings. Each study slightly favored caffeine over placebo, but none came close to achieving statistical significance.

Conclusion: Caffeine Is Not a Substitute for ADHD Medications

Ultimately, the researchers concluded that “overall, the totality of the evidence suggests no significant benefit of caffeine over placebo in the treatment of children with ADHD.” The findings indicate that while caffeine might produce a slight reduction in symptoms, it is not an effective alternative to established ADHD treatments like methylphenidate or amphetamines.

This study highlights the importance of relying on proven medications for ADHD management rather than seeking alternatives that lack substantial evidence. While caffeine might offer a slight stimulant effect, it falls short of delivering the therapeutic benefits needed for those with ADHD to manage their symptoms effectively. For clinicians, parents, and individuals with ADHD, these results underscore the value of evidence-based treatments in improving quality of life and daily functioning.

‍

ADHD has long been associated with higher rates of criminal behavior, but most studies have relied heavily on self-reported data and small, non-representative samples. A new Swedish study addresses these limitations, providing a more comprehensive and reliable picture using data from nationwide registers. It sheds light on the role of ADHD medication in reducing the risk of criminal convictions, offering insights for clinicians, policymakers, and families.

Previous Research: The Denmark Comparison

Earlier research, such as a 2019 Danish study, found that ADHD diagnosed in children and adolescents ages 4 to 15 was associated with a 1.6-fold increased risk of future criminal conviction. However, these findings were limited by a smaller sample size and a focus on just one nation’s context. Like Denmark, Sweden’s single-payer universal healthcare system allows for the collection of extensive data on health and crime records, providing an ideal environment for large-scale, population-based research.

Swedish Study Design: A Robust Approach

To investigate ADHD’s connection to criminal behavior, the Swedish research team analyzed records from a cohort of 1,646,645 individuals born between 1986 and 1997. They excluded those who died or emigrated before age 15 (the age of criminal responsibility in Sweden) and those who immigrated to Sweden, resulting in a final study group of 1,235,939 individuals. Slightly more than half of the cohort was male.

ADHD diagnoses were based on clinical records and prescriptions for approved ADHD medications, while criminal convictions—both violent and nonviolent—were identified using Sweden’s National Crime Register, covering the years 2001 to 2013. The study adjusted for various potential confounding factors, including sex, birth year, parental education, and other psychiatric conditions. They also used the Swedish Multi-Generation Register to control for unmeasured familial factors to compare outcomes among full siblings.

Key Findings: ADHD and Criminality

The study found that ADHD is strongly associated with increased rates of criminal convictions. Compared to individuals without ADHD, those with an ADHD diagnosis were roughly:

• Four times more likely to be convicted of a violent crime.
• Twice as likely to be convicted of a nonviolent crime.

Interestingly, when comparing conviction rates among males and females with ADHD, the rates of nonviolent convictions were similar, but females with ADHD were about 25% more likely to be convicted of a violent crime than males with ADHD.

The Role of Medication: A Significant Moderating Factor

The research also highlighted the importance of ADHD medication in reducing criminal behavior. When individuals with ADHD who were taking medication were excluded from the analysis, the data showed significantly higher rates of criminal convictions:

• Unmedicated males with ADHD had a 50% higher rate of violent convictions and more than double the rate of nonviolent convictions compared to their typically developing peers.
• Unmedicated females with ADHD faced even greater risks, with nearly triple the rate of violent convictions and quadruple the rate of nonviolent convictions.

These findings suggest that ADHD medications can significantly reduce the risk of both violent and nonviolent criminal behavior in individuals with ADHD, emphasizing the value of pharmacological treatment for those with the condition.

Clinical Implications: Medication as a Risk-Reducing Strategy

The researchers concluded that “ADHD is a strong risk factor for both violent and non‐violent criminal convictions in males and females even after adjustments for psychiatric comorbidities and unmeasured familial factors.” The study also found that untreated ADHD poses a particularly high risk for criminal behavior, highlighting the protective role of medication.

These findings are clinically relevant for several reasons. First, they reinforce the importance of ensuring that individuals with ADHD have access to effective treatment options, especially during the transition from adolescence into adulthood, which is statistically a period of higher risk for criminal behavior. Additionally, the study provides critical data for shaping public policy and interventions aimed at supporting individuals with ADHD, with a focus on reducing criminality through proper management of the disorder.

Conclusion:

This study offers new insights into the complex relationship between ADHD, medication, and criminal behavior, emphasizing the crucial role of treatment in mitigating risks. It provides a compelling case for prioritizing access to ADHD medication as part of a broader strategy for supporting those with ADHD.

‍

A recent U.S. study challenges assumptions about the link between prescription stimulant use for ADHD and later substance abuse. Adolescents who used prescription stimulants under a physician’s supervision did not exhibit increased rates of non-medical stimulant use or cocaine use as they transitioned into young adulthood. However, other factors, like binge drinking and cannabis use, showed significant associations with later substance misuse, suggesting that the landscape of risk is more complex than previously understood.

Stimulants and ADHD: Understanding the Risks

Prescription stimulants are considered one of the most effective treatments for ADHD. While these medications can significantly improve focus and behavior, concerns have persisted that using stimulants during adolescence might predispose individuals to substance use disorder (SUD). Some theories suggest that early exposure to stimulants could increase the likelihood of cocaine use, as both substances affect the brain's dopamine pathways similarly.

Yet, previous research often lacked large, longitudinal studies focusing on adolescents with ADHD who had never been treated with stimulants. To fill this gap, a research team followed a nationally representative cohort of 11,905 high school seniors (12th graders, mostly aged 18) for six years, tracking their substance use behaviors.

Study Design: Following the Participants

At the start of the study, participants completed surveys regarding their ADHD treatment history—whether they had used stimulant therapy, non-stimulant therapy, or no medication at all. This formed three groups:

• Adolescents treated with stimulant therapy for ADHD
• Adolescents treated with non-stimulant therapy for ADHD (ADHD controls)
• Adolescents with no history of ADHD treatment (non-ADHD controls)

Participants then completed follow-up surveys every two years, reporting on their use of substances like prescription stimulants and cocaine, as well as their engagement in behaviors like binge drinking and cannabis use.

Key Findings: No Direct Link to Non-medical Stimulant or Cocaine Use

The study found no significant differences in the rates of non-medical stimulant use or cocaine use among the three groups. Adolescents who had been prescribed stimulant medications were not more likely to misuse prescription stimulants or cocaine as young adults than those who had not received such medications.

However, other behaviors at age 18 showed strong associations with later substance use:

• Binge drinking during late adolescence was linked to an 80% increase in the likelihood of subsequent nonmedical prescription stimulant use and cocaine use.
• Nonmedical use of prescription opioids at age 18 increased the odds of later nonmedical stimulant use by 50% and of cocaine use by two-thirds.
• Cannabis use by age 18 more than tripled the likelihood of later non-medical stimulant use and increased the odds of subsequent cocaine use sixfold.

Clinical Implications

The study’s findings have important implications for both clinicians and families managing ADHD. Although ADHD is associated with an increased risk of SUD, the researchers observed no higher risk of nonmedical stimulant use among adolescents who had taken stimulant therapy compared to those who hadn’t. Additionally, there was no evidence that stimulant medications posed a greater risk than non-stimulant medications for subsequent misuse.

The findings also highlight the need for more robust screening for alcohol and other drug use among adolescents. As the study notes, current guidelines do not recommend routine screening for substance misuse in adolescents due to limited evidence. However, given the associations found between binge drinking, cannabis use, and later substance misuse, such preventive measures could play a key role in reducing risks during this vulnerable period of development.

Ultimately, the study sheds light on the multifaceted nature of substance use risks in adolescents and young adults, suggesting that while prescription stimulant use for ADHD under medical supervision may not directly contribute to substance abuse, the broader context of an adolescent’s behaviors and environment is crucial in shaping future outcomes.

‍

The report "Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Diagnosis, Treatment, and Telehealth Use in Adults" published in the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report provides a detailed examination of the prevalence and treatment of ADHD among U.S. adults based on data collected by the National Center for Health Statistics Rapid Surveys System during October–November 2023. This data is crucial as it offers updated estimates on the prevalence of ADHD in adults, a condition often regarded as primarily affecting children, and highlights the ongoing challenges in accessing ADHD-related treatments, including telehealth services and medication availability.

Methods:

The methods used in this study involved the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) Rapid Surveys System (RSS), which gathers data to approximate the national representation of U.S. adults through two commercial survey panels: the AmeriSpeak Panel from NORC at the University of Chicago and Ipsos’s KnowledgePanel. The data were collected via online and telephone interviews from 7,046 adults. The responses were weighted to reflect the total U.S. adult population, ensuring that the results approximate national estimates. In identifying adults with current ADHD, respondents were asked if they had ever been diagnosed with ADHD and, if so, whether they currently had the condition. The study also collected data on treatment types (including stimulant and nonstimulant medications), telehealth use, and demographic variables such as age, education, race, and household income.

Results:

The results showed that approximately 6.0% of U.S. adults, or an estimated 15.5 million people, had a current ADHD diagnosis. Notably, more than half of the adults with ADHD reported receiving their diagnosis during adulthood (age ≥18 years), indicating that diagnosis can occur well beyond childhood. Analysis of demographics showed significant differences between adults with ADHD and those without; adults with ADHD were more likely to be younger, with 84.5% under the age of 50. Adults with ADHD were also less likely to have completed a bachelor's degree and more likely to have a household income below the federal poverty level compared to those without ADHD. Regarding treatment, the report found that approximately one-third of adults with ADHD were untreated, and around one-third received both medication and behavioral treatment. Among those receiving pharmacological treatment, 33.4% used stimulant medications, and 71.5% of these individuals reported difficulties in getting their prescriptions filled due to medication unavailability, reflecting recent stimulant shortages in the United States. Additionally, nearly half of adults with ADHD had used telehealth services for ADHD-related care, including obtaining prescriptions and receiving counseling or therapy.

The discussion emphasizes the public health implications of these findings. ADHD is often diagnosed late, with many individuals not receiving a diagnosis until adulthood, which underscores the need for improved awareness and early identification of ADHD symptoms across the life course. Moreover, the high prevalence of untreated ADHD and the barriers to accessing stimulant medications reveal significant gaps in the healthcare system's ability to support adults with ADHD. These gaps can contribute to poorer outcomes, such as increased risk of injury, substance use, and social impairment. The report also highlights the role of telehealth, which became more prominent during the COVID-19 pandemic. Telehealth appears to provide a viable solution for expanding access to ADHD diagnosis and treatment, though challenges remain regarding the quality of care and potential for misuse. The authors suggest that improved clinical care guidelines for adults with ADHD could help reduce delays in diagnosis and treatment access, thus improving long-term outcomes for affected individuals.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the study provides a comprehensive view of the prevalence, treatment, and telehealth use for ADHD among adults in the U.S.  These data are crucial for guiding clinical care and shaping policies related to medication access and telehealth services. The findings underscore the importance of ensuring an adequate supply of stimulant medications and reducing barriers to ADHD care, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for adults with this condition.   The good news is that many adults with ADHD are being diagnosed and treated.  It is, however, concerning that many are not treated and that many of those treated with stimulants were impacted by the stimulant shortage.

For more details, see:   https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/wr/mm7340a1.htm

‍

ADHD in Older Adults: Challenges, Insights, and the Need for Research

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that persists into adulthood for most individuals, affecting 60% to 90% of those diagnosed as children. However, understanding ADHD in older adults, particularly those over 50, remains limited. With the U.S. population aged 65+ projected to nearly double by 2050, this oversight has critical implications for healthcare.

A recent analysis of 20 studies (sample size: over 20 million) highlights ADHD prevalence in the elderly as 2.18% when community scales are used but only 0.23% when clinical diagnoses are reviewed in medical records. This discrepancy points to underdiagnosis and the need for clinician education. Furthermore, treatment rates are alarmingly low, with just 0.09% of elderly individuals receiving ADHD medications.

Current diagnostic criteria, still rooted in studies of youth, inadequately address age-specific symptoms. Barkley and Murphy’s screening tool is one step forward, but its moderate reliability signals the need for refinement. Diagnostic challenges grow more complex as clinicians must differentiate ADHD from cognitive changes due to aging, medical conditions, or psychiatric disorders like depression or dementia. The concurrent presence of conditions further complicates assessments and treatments.

Treatment hesitancy also hampers care. Concerns about cardiovascular risks, interactions with other medications, and lack of familiarity with ADHD medication dosing in older adults fuel clinician caution. While psychostimulants are generally safe when carefully managed, misconceptions about abuse and addiction persist, creating unnecessary barriers.

Conclusion:

Addressing ADHD in older adults requires dedicated clinician training to overcome biases, refine diagnostic tools, and balance medical risks with the significant quality-of-life benefits ADHD treatment offers. With more research, improved clinical protocols, and better education, older adults with ADHD can receive accurate diagnoses and effective treatment. This will help them maintain cognitive function and independence, significantly enhancing their lives.

‍

‍

A large international research team has just released a detailed analysis of studies looking at the connection between parents' mental health conditions and their children's mental health, particularly focusing on ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). This analysis, called a meta-analysis, involved carefully examining previous studies on the subject. By September 2022, they had found 211 studies, involving more than 23 million people, that could be combined for their analysis.

Most of the studies focused on mental disorders other than ADHD. However, when they specifically looked at ADHD, they found five studies with over 6.7 million participants. These studies showed that children of parents with ADHD were more than eight times as likely to have ADHD compared to children whose parents did not have ADHD. The likelihood of this result happening by chance was extremely low, meaning the connection between parental ADHD and child ADHD is strong.

Understanding the Numbers: How Likely Is It for a Child to Have ADHD?

The researchers wanted to figure out how common ADHD is among children of parents both with and without ADHD. To do this, they first analyzed 65 studies with about 2.9 million participants, focusing on children whose parents did not have ADHD. They found that around 3% of these children had ADHD.

Next, they analyzed five studies with over 44,000 cases where the parents did have ADHD. In this group, they found that 32% of the children also had ADHD, meaning about one in three. This is a significant difference—children of parents with ADHD are about ten times more likely to have the condition than children whose parents who do not have ADHD.

How Does This Compare to Other Mental Disorders in Parents?

The researchers also wanted to see if other mental health issues in parents, besides ADHD, were linked to ADHD in their children. They analyzed four studies involving 1.5 million participants and found that if a parent had any mental health disorder (like anxiety, depression, or substance use issues), the child’s chances of having ADHD increased by 80%. However, this is far less than the 840% increase seen in children whose parents specifically had ADHD. In other words, ADHD is much more likely to be passed down in families compared to other mental disorders.

Strengths and Weaknesses of the Research

The study had a lot of strengths, mainly due to the large number of participants involved, which helps make the findings more reliable. However, there were also some limitations:

• The researchers did not look into "publication bias," which means they didn’t check whether only certain types of studies were included (those showing stronger results, for example), which could make the findings seem more extreme.
• The team reported that differences between the studies were measured, but they didn’t explain clearly how these differences affected the results.
• Most concerning, the researchers admitted that 96% of the studies they included had a "high risk of bias," meaning that many of the studies might not have been entirely reliable.

Conclusion

Despite these limitations, the research team concluded that their analysis provides strong evidence that children of parents with ADHD or other serious mental health disorders are at a higher risk of developing mental disorders themselves. While more research is needed to fill in the gaps, the findings suggest that it would be wise to carefully monitor the mental health of children whose parents have these conditions to provide support and early intervention if needed

‍

Meta-analysis finds vocal emotion recognition accuracy is significantly lower in ADHD

Emotion dysregulation (ED) refers to the difficulty someone has in managing their emotions. People with ED might experience strong reactions like anger, irritability, emotional outbursts, or even excessive happiness. This issue affects 25% to 45% of children with ADHD and 30% to 70% of adults with ADHD. ED may come from challenges in recognizing emotions—like anger, sadness, fear, or happiness—based on facial expressions or tone of voice. People with ADHD struggle to control their emotions in a similar way that they have trouble controlling their attention and behavior.

Emotion Recognition in ADHD

One way researchers study ED in people with ADHD is by testing how well they recognize emotions. In these studies, participants are shown faces or hear voices expressing different emotions, and they are asked to identify which emotion is being shown. This helps measure how accurately people with ADHD recognize emotions compared to people without ADHD (referred to as typically developing, or TD, individuals).

Research Findings

A group of psychologists from the UK reviewed many studies that compared how well people with ADHD and TD individuals performed on emotion recognition tasks. They focused on studies that looked specifically at how well participants could recognize emotions through vocal expressions (such as changes in tone of voice).

They combined the results of 20 different studies, which together included 1,651 participants, and found that people with ADHD had more difficulty recognizing emotions than those without ADHD. The overall difference between the two groups was moderate, meaning the ADHD group consistently had more trouble, but the differences weren’t extreme. Only two of the 20 studies showed slightly different results, and there was no sign that the studies were biased. Whether or not participants were taking medication for ADHD didn’t change the outcomes.

Recognizing Positive and Negative Emotions

The study found that people with ADHD had more trouble recognizing both positive and negative emotions compared to the TD group:

• Anger and sadness: People with ADHD showed a moderate level of difficulty in recognizing these emotions.
• Happiness: There was a small-to-moderate level of difficulty in recognizing happiness.
• Overall: There was no clear pattern showing that ADHD participants struggled more with certain types of emotions; instead, their errors seemed random. This suggests that their difficulties in recognizing emotions may be linked to their general attention problems.

Age Differences

The study found that emotion recognition difficulties were more pronounced in children with ADHD than in adults. Among children, the deficit was large, while among adults, the difference was moderate.

Conclusion

The psychologists concluded that their analysis provides strong evidence that people with ADHD struggle with recognizing emotions, particularly through vocal expressions. They also found that these difficulties aren’t specific to certain emotions (like only anger or sadness), but rather seem to affect emotion recognition in general. This supports the idea that ED in ADHD is partly due to the same attention problems that make it difficult for people with ADHD to focus or control their behavior. The findings highlight that emotion dysregulation in ADHD may be a secondary problem caused by these underlying attention issues.

‍

ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) has often been seen as a condition that mainly affects boys, especially when it comes to hyperactivity. However, a new study challenges this idea by showing that hyperactivity is also common in women with ADHD, pointing out the need for better diagnoses.

The study included 13,179 adults with ADHD and 1,910 adults without it. Researchers measured how active participants were using a special test, looking at both "provoked" activity (activity triggered by specific tasks that puts the brain “online”) and "basal" activity (resting or natural activity levels when the brain is “offline”). The study included almost an equal number of men and women, with the goal of finding out if there were any differences between the sexes in ADHD diagnosis, particularly in hyperactivity.

The results were eye-opening. Although men generally showed higher levels of activity when the brain was online, both men and women with ADHD had much higher levels of both offline and online activity compared to people without ADHD. Specifically, those with ADHD had about twice the resting activity and three times the provoked activity compared to those without the disorder.

A key finding was that women with ADHD had hyperactivity levels similar to men with ADHD. This goes against the common belief that women with ADHD don’t show hyperactivity or show it less. It suggests that hyperactivity in women may be missed or misunderstood due to societal expectations or differences in behavior.

These findings have big implications. They suggest that the way we currently understand ADHD, especially hyperactivity in women, might be wrong. By recognizing that women with ADHD can have significant hyperactivity, doctors can diagnose ADHD more accurately. This could lead to earlier treatment and better management of ADHD in women, which might also lower the chances of related problems like anxiety or depression.

The study highlights the importance of thinking about gender differences when diagnosing and treating ADHD. By realizing that hyperactivity isn't just a "male" trait, we can better support everyone with ADHD and ensure they get the right care. As research on ADHD continues, it’s important to challenge old assumptions and take a more inclusive approach to understanding and treating the disorder.

‍