For a long time it was assumed that somewhere between 5 and 6% of children have attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). But the rates, in practice, are often higher. The American Centres for Disease Control and Prevention put the prevalence at 11.4% in children in 2022.
The Swedish Board of Health and Welfare reports that in 2022 10.5% of boys and 6% of girls received an ADHD diagnosis, which is 50% more than in 2019. And the board forecast that the rates will eventually plateau at 15% for boys and 11% for girls.
So, what might be the reasons behind the startling rise? Here are eight possible causes, many of which overlap and interact with each other.
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