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Beginning in about 1990, substantial increases in the rates of ADHD diagnosis and medical treatment were found in several nationally representative samples of US physician office visits. For example, between 1995–96 and 2007-08, the number of office visits at which an ADHD diagnosis was made increased by over 400% in adults — from 3.1 per 1000 visits to 14.5 per 1000 visits. And, the percent of adult office visits including both ADHD diagnosis and medication increased from 1.9 to 11.4 per 1000 visits.
Among children aged 5 to 18, between 1991–92 and 2008-09, rates of ADHD diagnosis increased nearly 4‑fold among boys — from 39.5 to 144.6 per 1000 — and nearly 6‑fold for girls — from 12.3 and 68.5 per 1000 visits. During this time, the rate of visits that also involved medication treatment increased by similar rates. [Read more…] about Study: Rates of ADHD diagnosis and medication treatment continue to increase substantially
