Surprising Facts about ADD / ADHD

What you should know about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Attention Deficit Disorder

Aug 20, 2006 Darcy Andries

A few facts and statistics about ADD and ADHD that may surprise you.

1.Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), also known as attention deficit disorder (ADD), affects approximately 6% of the population, while less than 2% receive treatment. The rates of ADHD are no higher in the U.S. than in other countries. For example, in China 8.9% of the population is reported to have ADHD. Puerto Rico reports a rate of 9.5%, Japan reports a rate of 7.7%, Germany reports a rate of 8.7%, and India reports a rate of 29%.

2. Out of 100 people with ADHD:

35 won't finish high school.
25 will repeat at least one grade.
52 are abusing drugs or alcohol.
40 have tried alcohol and tobacco at an early age.
19 are smoking cigarettes (compared to 10% of the general population).
75 have interpersonal problems.
20 have set fires.
30 have engaged in theft.
25 will be expelled from high school for misconduct

3. Numerous studies show that approximately 50% of inmates have been found to have ADHD.

4. People with ADHD have a higher percentage of motor vehicle accidents, speeding tickets, citations for driving without a license, suspended or revoked licenses, medical visits, and emergency room visits.

5. Parents of ADHD children divorce three times more often than the general population.

6. Teenagers with ADHD are seven times more likely to engage in activities that result in suspension from school, six times more likely to have adversarial contacts with the law and five times more likely to spend time in a juvenile justice facility.

7. Teens with ADHD are four times more likely to have a serious auto accident and three times more likely to be cited for speeding.

8. It is estimated that between 40% and 59% of the children diagnosed with ADHD will eventually develop behaviors that meet the criteria for a diagnosis of oppositional defiant disorder.

9. Studies have found that nearly 40% of all cocaine and opiate abusers meet the diagnostic criteria for ADHD.

Sources:

Amen, Daniel G. Healing ADD. New York: Penguin Putnam.

Dendy, Chris A. Zeigler. Teaching Teens with ADD and ADHD. Bethesda: Woodbine House.

Goldstein, Sam. "Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: implications for the criminal justice system." The FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin. June 1997.

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