Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: overdiagnosed or diagnoses missed?

Arch Dis Child. 2017 Apr;102(4):376-379. doi: 10.1136/archdischild-2016-310487. Epub 2016 Nov 7.

Abstract

The prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is about 5% of the child population, and it carries risks for mental health, educational and personal dysfunction, antisociality and death. The diagnosis in practice is made with remarkable differences in frequency between nations. Low rates in the UK, by comparison with research estimates, suggest that the condition may often be missed in clinical practice; the reasons are considered.

Keywords: ADHD; Diagnosis; Hyperkinetic disorder; Prevalence.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / diagnosis*
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / epidemiology
  • Attitude to Health
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Delayed Diagnosis
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Europe / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Medical Overuse
  • Prevalence
  • Public Opinion
  • United States / epidemiology