In an interview with Syracuse University psychology professor Kevin Antshel provides vital context for the CDC’s latest findings. Understanding the rise in ADHD diagnoses requires looking beyond the statistics to examine the social, educational and clinical shifts driving this trend. To truly support students and staff, it is essential to explore the factors behind the increase and how these changes are shaping today’s learning environments.
Dr. Antshel links the surge in diagnoses between 2016 and 2022 largely to the COVID-19 pandemic. Disrupted daily routines and the shift to remote learning prompted more families and adults to seek mental health evaluations, which uncovered symptoms that previously went unnoticed.
- The Positive: More individuals now have access to life-changing support and specialized therapy.
- The Challenge: Rising diagnosis rates may also reflect overpathologization or the impact of modern societal pressures on the ability to maintain focus.
Read the Interview: artsandsciences.syracuse.edu/news-all/news-2024/whats-driving-the-rise-in-adhd-diagnosis-among-children-and-adults/