The Last Word: Overreacting or Overdiagnosing?

When you think about childhood friends, how often do you think about fellow classmates who, figuratively and literally, could not stay in their seats? Maybe there was a close friend who commonly needed a stimulus to operate and function. Among young children, hyperactivity and hyperkinesis can be traits that are outgrown, but in recent years, the diagnosis of the neurobiological condition attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder — better known as ADHD — has seen a consistent rise.

I was diagnosed with ADHD as a preteen before there was concern on a societal level. The only concern I ever heard about was whether or not I was paying attention in algebra class. (Sorry, Mom and Dad. I was not.)

Over the years following my diagnosis, I navigated the ups, downs and realities of being neurodivergent. It did not mean I was handicapped. Instead, my diagnosis meant that I had to jump through extra hoops to function like a neurotypical individual.

Although I have fully come to terms with my neurodivergent mind, it seems that now more than ever, society believes that the rise in ADHD is a product of overdiagnosing and overmedicating. Whether you want to blame COVID-19, a medical provider or big pharma, ADHD diagnoses have grown tremendously in the last several years. But is that something that should actually be concerning?

Data suggest cases of ADHD are up. Kevin Antshel, Syracuse University professor and director of the Ph.D. program in clinical psychology at Syracuse University, cited data from a 2022 university study indicating that 7 million children ages 3 to 17 had been diagnosed with ADHD, an increase of 1 million from 2016. Similarly, the 2021 report from the Journal of Managed Care & Specialty Pharmacy cited that almost 9 million adults in the U.S. have ADHD.

“I believe that ADHD diagnosis rates will continue to increase in the United States,” Antshel writes. “I also worry that this increased identification will amplify some of the existing inequities that we have currently in ADHD diagnosis — lower rates in historically marginalized populations.

The increase in ADHD diagnoses might also communicate that overdiagnosis due to medicalization of everyday symptoms is occurring. Who has not experienced moments of distractibility and a consequent loss of productivity?”

Fast forward to the year 2026 — nearly 25 million people who live in the U.S. have an ADHD diagnosis. A study done by Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder found that 1 in 9 children and 1 in 16 adults has ADHD. CHADD’s study also found that while some do not medicate, there has been an increase in children and adults taking medication.

The numbers from those studies show an increase, and it is undeniable that the prevalence of concern is rapidly increasing. However, the more I research, the more I ponder: Are we overdiagnosing symptoms of attention deficit that, neurologically, everyone has, or do we just know more about neurodevelopmental disorders?

While I cannot directly answer that question due to my substantial lack of any medical knowledge or expertise, what is abundantly clear is the societal stigma that surrounds neurodevelopmental disorders — the increased categorizing of ADHD as something that “cannot be cured” or a “fake disorder” or sometimes it being labeled as “general laziness.”

Some of our greatest mathematicians, innovators, leaders, artists and geniuses have either been diagnosed with or were deemed highly likely to have a neurodevelopmental disorder or neurobiological condition. Remember the lightbulb? Maybe the equation ‘E = MC2?’ How about an iPhone, iMac or any Apple products? What about Microsoft, IKEA, JetBlue or Charles Schwab? You get the point.

ADHD is not an intellectual disfigurement or an ailment; it is simply norepinephrine neurotransmitters not functioning as they should, which affects dopamine in the brain. Much like any other neurological diagnosis, disorder or behavior, the 21st century has seen an increase in studying and researching neurodevelopment disorders such as ADHD, and since 2023, more than 1,800 academic articles have been published about the topic.

Think about it this way: The 20th century laid the groundwork for what we know about ADHD, and the 21st century expanded on it. Hence, we know more about it. Research has proven time and time again that the link is hereditary, environmental and genetic. (Please note, ADHD is not caused by excess adolescent screen time or an excess consumption of sugar, although those factors may have side effects of their own).

Like it or not, ADHD has been around longer than every human currently on this planet, and rates will not magically dwindle overnight. If you look at it from another angle, consider it a perk of 21st-century medicine and research — we have more studies on how the brain functions, which is tremendously valuable to those with ADHD. With that being said, this is no longer a question of overdiagnosing or overmedicating. It is, instead, a matter of overreaction to what society defines as abnormal.