In Germany, diagnoses of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) among adults have risen significantly. This is confirmed by an analysis of billing data conducted by the Central Institute for Statutory Health Insurance Physicians, published in Deutsche Ärzteblatt International. Between 2015 and 2024, the number of newly diagnosed adult cases, known as incidence, grew by 199%.
Ten years ago, 8.6 out of 10,000 statutory insured adults were diagnosed with ADHD. By 2024, this number had tripled to 25.7 per 10,000 insured individuals. This represents an average annual increase of 14%, although the trend was not linear. The analysis notes that incidence has risen "disproportionately" over the past four years.
Overall, men were more frequently diagnosed with ADHD than women. In 2024, incidence among men was 26.9 per 10,000 insured, compared with 24.8 per 10,000 among women. In recent years, this gender gap has narrowed as the increase in diagnoses among women was stronger.
The study authors suggest that the rise in adult ADHD diagnoses is largely due to delayed identification, with symptoms often beginning much earlier. They add that the recent sharp increase in new diagnoses could also result from heightened societal awareness of ADHD and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health, which may explain the pronounced rise among young women.
ADHD, or Attention Deficit Syndrome (ADS) without hyperactivity or impulsivity, is typically diagnosed in childhood. First diagnoses in adulthood, according to the study, are often delayed. Until now, no nationwide, cross-insurance data existed in Germany on ADHD spectrum disorders in adults. For this analysis, the researchers used nationwide billing data from statutory health insurance for adults aged 18 and above from 2013 to 2024, covering both medical and psychotherapeutic care.
ADHD is the most common mental disorder among children and adolescents and can persist into adulthood. Children with the so-called “Fidgety Philip” syndrome exhibit lower stamina, are easily distracted, and display pronounced hyperactivity. They also tend to act impulsively, display emotional instability, and may engage in unplanned behaviors. Scientists believe that, in addition to genetic factors, environmental influences may also contribute to the development of ADHD.
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