Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, is diagnosed in 5% of children, but other estimates suggest that the rates are even higher than reported. The number of children that have ADHD, according to the CDC has fallen slightly to 6.1 million children in 2016, down from 6.4 million in 2011.
Children as young as age 2 have been diagnosed with the condition, but the highest percentage of children diagnosed are between the ages of 12 and 17 (3.3 million).
Reluctance to put children on medication to combat ADHD is on the rise, but a recent study found that medications can result in significant benefits over the long-term. The review found that medication helped with a concentration in school and calmed children.
Dr. Joseph Biederman, chief of clinical and research programs for adults and pediatrics with ADHD at Massachusetts General Hospital, claims that treatment can help combat some of the serious side effects of ADHD. "Treating ADHD can help children avert some of the serious complications associated with ADHD," he said.
Children and adults that have ADHD are at higher risk of depression, anxiety, smoking, substance abuse, conduct disorder, bipolar disorder, and even car accidents. Drug crime laws do not consider a person's history of ADHD with over 469,545 people in jail on drug-related crimes. Many of these offenders may have benefitted from ADHD medication at a younger age.
Cause-and-effect could not be proven in the recent study, but doctors from Gracie Square Hospital claim that treating ADHD symptoms can help prevent additional problems as a person ages.
Children that are "trouble makers" are often marginalized in class, leading to further conduct disorders, depression, anxiety and even substance abuse. Adults that are not treated properly for ADHD may also suffer from problems at work, difficulty holding a job and misconduct.
Marginalization risks are lower when children are treated for the condition early on. The review found that three of the children needed treatment to avoid repeating a grade and developing conduct disorders. Four of the people in the study were found to need treatment to avoid accidents during driving simulations. Five of the participants needed treatment to prevent bipolar disorder. Ten of the participants needed medication to avoid substance abuse.
The average age of the participants when they started the study was 11, and all of the participants had a follow up at the age of 20. Driver simulation was performed before treatment and six weeks after treatment to determine risks associated with ADHD and car accidents.
