ADHD affects about 5-7% of children and 2-3% of adults across Europe, with diagnosed prevalence and medication use rising significantly in recent years.

Rising ADHD diagnoses in Europe reflect better awareness, revised diagnostic criteria, and more research, not an epidemic.

ADHD is increasingly recognized as affecting adults and women more than before, contributing to higher prescription rates in countries like Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, and the UK.

Experts caution that diagnosis is not binary and evolving medical understanding can shift when treatment is appropriate; misdiagnosis concerns exist, but broad misdiagnosis evidence remains limited.

The piece notes related news about foster carers and social care vacancies, providing a broader context for care system pressures.

At the ECNP congress, experts will discuss what drives rising referrals and how health systems can meet demand while ensuring proper assessment and support.

International variation in diagnosed rates reflects differences in service provision and access to assessment, not underlying population prevalence.

A review initiated by Wes Streeting found prevalence largely stable; increased diagnoses stem from better awareness and diagnostic criteria rather than an epidemic.

In England, wait times for ADHD assessments exceed 560,000 and autism assessments exceed 250,000, raising concerns about misdiagnosis or underdiagnosis amid limited care access.

Policy implications call for resources to meet rising assessment and treatment demand while safeguarding timely, appropriate support and continuing ADHD research.

Guidelines emphasize starting with non-pharmacological support and reserving medication when needed, reflecting evolving diagnostic thresholds.

ADHD is best understood on a spectrum, with intervention thresholds varying by time and guideline, explaining fluctuations in diagnosed cases without changes in biology.