ADHD in the U.S. - Statistics & Facts
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly diagnosed mental disorder among children in the United States, affecting around six million children as of 2019. Children with ADHD often have difficulty paying attention, trouble controlling their behavior, and excessive activity, which can impact their experience at school and their home life. Early symptoms of ADHD include the child being easily distracted, forgetting daily activities, not paying attention, having trouble being quiet or sitting still, or problems waiting for their turn. Despite some misconceptions, ADHD does not disappear with adulthood. Although overall hyperactivity may decrease with age, symptoms manifest themselves in other ways among adults, such as through impulsiveness, mood swings, anxiety, chronic lateness, anger issues, and disorganization and procrastination. As of the fall of 2023, it was estimated that around 16 percent of college students suffered from ADHD.
