DSM-5 Changes, COVID-19, and ADHD Diagnosis Rates in Individuals Younger Than 30 Years

Key Points

• To investigate how changes in diagnostic criteria and the COVID-19 pandemic affected ADHD diagnosis rates in youth under 30.
• Conducted a cohort study in British Columbia.
• Analyzed ADHD diagnosis rates pre- and post-DSM-5 changes.
• Monitored trends before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Observed variations in ADHD diagnosis rates among youth.
• Noted an increase in diagnoses correlating with DSM-5 changes and the pandemic.
• Identified significant patterns in diagnoses related to the timing of assessments.