(Gemini Audio)
(de-news.net) – A new nationwide study which the Deutsches Ärzteblatt reports on has revealed a striking increase in the number of adults in Germany being diagnosed with attention deficit and hyperactivity spectrum disorders (ADHD). Drawing on statutory health insurance data from 2015 to 2024, researchers found that the incidence of new diagnoses nearly tripled over the decade, rising from 8.6 cases per 10,000 adults in 2015 to 25.7 in 2024. This growth was not steady but marked by notable shifts, including a sharp rise after the introduction of a new diagnostic code in 2019 and a temporary decline in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, when access to healthcare services was restricted.
Men consistently showed higher diagnosis rates than women, though the gap narrowed significantly in recent years. In 2015, men were diagnosed at a rate of 11.1 per 10,000 compared to 6.7 for women, but by 2024 the figures had converged to 26.9 and 24.8 respectively. Younger adults under 40 were particularly affected, with women aged 25 to 29 experiencing more than a fivefold increase in diagnoses compared to 2015. Among men, the rise was also substantial, though less dramatic. These findings suggest that the burden of ADHD spectrum disorders in adulthood is increasingly recognized across both genders, with younger age groups standing out as the most affected.
The interpretation of these results points to several overlapping factors. Many adult diagnoses are likely delayed recognitions of symptoms that began earlier in life, reflecting the persistence of ADHD into adulthood. The introduction of the F98.80 diagnostic code in 2019 gave clinicians a clearer way to classify attention disorders without hyperactivity, contributing to the rise. Growing public awareness and changing social attitudes toward mental health also encouraged more individuals to seek evaluation. The pandemic played a complex role: while 2020 saw a dip due to reduced healthcare use and limited opportunities to demonstrate impairment, the years that followed brought a surge as routines resumed and symptoms became more visible. The disproportionate increase among young women may reflect both heightened awareness and reduced stigma, which made diagnosis more accessible.
The significance of these findings extends beyond statistics. ADHD spectrum disorders can cause considerable psychological distress and impair daily functioning. The fact that more adults are being diagnosed means that more people are gaining access to therapies and treatments that can improve well-being. This trend is a positive development, as it reflects a healthcare system increasingly responsive to adult mental health needs. It also underscores the importance of considering ADHD not only as a childhood condition but as a lifelong disorder requiring attention across all stages of life.
