ADD/ADHD

11

ADD/
ADHD

ADD/ADHD IN THE US
By Katie Meek- December 12, 2017

BACKGROUND
Both attention-deficit disorder (ADD) or
attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
(ADHD) are widely misunderstood
disorders [1]. Research over the last several
decades have changed clinicians and
professionals perception and
understanding. It has been made apparent
that ADD/ADHD experience difficulties
that are not necessarily associated with
behavior problems, but is rather a set of
“difficulties [that] are primarily in focusing
their attention on necessary tasks and
using working memory effectively. ADHD
is now increasingly recognized as
developmental impairment of the brain’s
cognitive management system” [1]. Many
times, the symptoms of ADD and ADHD do
not become apparent until the later years
of elementary school, junior high, or early
adulthood [1, 2].
PREVIOUS RESEARCH
Previous research from 2011 to 2012 had
estimated that approximately 11% of
children in the United States that are 4-17
years old have been diagnosed with
ADD/ADHD at some point in their life [2].
The percent of children that receive the
diagnosis of having ADD or ADHD has been
on the rise over the course of the last
decade and limited support has been
brought to aid them in educational and
work environments [3]. The exact percent
of children with and ADHD diagnosis varies
from state to state and seems to be more
heavily prevalent in the Midwestern States.
The reason for this appears to be unknown
and has prompted further investigation.
Much is yet to be understood about the
causes of this unfortunate disorder [2, 4].
SYMPTOMS
The indications of ADD and ADHD are
extremely similar. They primarily consist
predominantly of inattentiveness and
hyperactive impulse such as failing to pay
attention, losing items needed for tasks,
excessive fidgeting, having trouble doing
an activity quietly, or avoiding tasks that
require a higher than normal mental
attention[5]. In order to be officially
diagnosed, symptoms must persist for at
least six months and interfere with both
home and school activities/relationships [2,
5].
TREATMENTS
Treatment for ADD and ADHD includes
both medication and behavioral therapy.
The Center for Disease Control and
Prevention recommends “for children 6
years of age and older, […] both behavior
therapy and medication [are seen] as good
options, preferably both together. For
young children (under 6 years of age) with
ADHD, behavior therapy is recommended
as the first line of treatment, before
medication is tried” [2]. Medications for
children suffering from ADD/ADHD include
amphetamine, methylphenidate,
methamphetamine hydrochloride, and
dextroamphetamine and require a
prescription from a medical professional
[5].
ADD/ADHD | Issue # 2

STATISTICAL SUMMARY
Prevalence
According to our most recent analysis, completed using data Figure 1 represents the comparative counts of the two
gathered from the National Survey of Children’s Health, a total categories of ADD/ADHD severities that were reported. Of
of 9.97% of the population aged 2-17 years old have been or are those who are currently diagnosed, an estimated 70.35% are
currently diagnosed with ADD or ADHD. (Those who currently currently taking medication to manage the conditions that they
are diagnosed with the disease make up 7.92% of the are experiencing.
population previously mentioned).
The mean age at which diagnosis occurred was 7.17 years old,
suggesting that many children are diagnosed when they have Risk Factors associated with ADD/ADHD
begun attending school. There was found to be a relationship between gender and the
prevalence of ADD/ADHD. Based upon this sample, males age
Treatment and severity of those with the disorder 2-17 were found to be 2.332 times as likely as females of the
same age range to be diagnosed with ADD or ADHD. This odd
The severity of the condition of a child’s ADD or ADHD was ration was determined to have a 95% confidence interval of
classified as either mild or moderate/severe. (2.223, 2.448).
Additionally, children who were diagnosed with ADD/ADHD
Figure 1: Reported Severity Counts from sample of Mild, Moderate, and were more likely to be reported to have a lower rated overall
Severe ADD/ADHD
health status. This disparity in health status is illustrated in the
frequency table (Table 1) below.
Reported Severity of ADD/ADHD
Table 1: Comparison of Reported Health Status Percentages of Those
Who Have and Have Not Been Diagnosed With ADD/ADHD

Has the child ever been

Mild ADD/ADHD
diagnosed with
ADD/ADHD? (% from
each category)
Health
Status No Yes
Excellent 64.93 46.57

Moderate or Severe
ADD/ADHD
Very Good 23.52 31.31

Good 9.25 16.62

Fair or Poor 2.3 5.49

0 1000 2000 3000 4000
ADD/ADHD
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DEMOGRAPHIC AND CHARACTERISTIC COMPARISON

TO GENERAL POPULATION

There were found to be a vast number of differences in the distribution of age, gender, poverty status, family structure, and health
insurance in those with ADD/ADHD compared to those who the general population that had not been diagnosed
with ADD/ADHD. Table 2 illustrates the aggregated statistics of these two groups. Some of the most significant
differences seem to be in the categories of gender, type of healthcare insurance, family structure, and poverty
level.
Characteristics Comparison Between Those Who
Have and Have Not Been Diagnosed With
ADD/ADHD
Diagnosed With Never Diagnosed
ADD/ADHD With ADD/ADHD
Mean of Current Age
(years) 12.07 9.58
Race (%)
White/Non-Hispanic 70.36 % 65.56
Black/Non-Hispanic 9.97% 9.6
Hispanic 9.62 13.71
Other 10.05 11.14
Female (%) 30.32 50.37
Below the Poverty
Line (%) 17.54 12.69
Family Structure (%)
Two Biological
/Adoptive Parents 51.56 70.73
One Biological /Step
Parent 12.94 7.1
Single Parent 22.98 15.35
Neither Biological or
Adoptive Parent 12.52 6.83
Type of Healthcare
Insurance (%)
Private Insurance 56.24 68.73
Medicaid 40.58 26.7
No Insurance 3.18 4.57
Table 2: Characteristics Comparison Between Those Who Have and Have Not Been Diagnosed With ADD/ADHD
REFERENCES
1. Brown, T.E. Curr Atten Disord Rep (2009) 1: 37. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12618-009-0006-3

2. “Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 13 Nov. 2017, www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/data.html

3. Ramsay JR, Rostain AL: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for ADHD: An Integrative Psychosocial and Medical Approach. New York: Routledge; 2008.

4. Kessler RC, Adler L, Barkley R, et al.: Prevalence and correlates of adult ADHD in the United States: results from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Am J Psychiatry 2006, 163:716–723.

5. “Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 16 Aug. 2017, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/adhd/symptoms-
causes/syc-20350889.
ADD/ADHD | Issue # 4