Canadian Adults' ADHD Diagnosis Rates Ascend: Dr. Gurdeep Parhar Offers Expert Analysis

Dr. Gurdeep Parhar, co-founder of the Adult ADHD Centre (Photo Credit: Adult ADHD Centre)

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, October 13, 2023 (VSNewsNetwork.com) - Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is becoming increasingly recognized among Canadian adults, with 5% reportedly affected, according to a new press release from The Adult ADHD Centre. In it, Dr. Gurdeep Parhar, co-founder of the Adult ADHD Centre, sheds light on the significance of diagnosis and treatment for these adults.

“At the Adult ADHD Centre, we find 70% of people accessing our services are 20-40 years of age; this highlights the critical need for accessible assessments for this age group,” shared Dr. Parhar.

Dr. Parhar acknowledges the uptick in ADHD diagnosis among adults and notes, “This is to be expected as there has been a greater understanding among the public and health practitioners that ADHD is not a condition that only affects children; ADHD symptoms persist into adulthood. More concerning is that misconceptions and limited healthcare access has contributed to approximately 80% of Canadian adults with ADHD never being diagnosed or treated.”

While ADHD awareness has grown in the past decade, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Parhar also observes an increase in diagnosis of other mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety. “Mental health conditions being accurately identified and better treated is a very positive trend,” he states.

Providing historical context on ADHD, Dr. Parhar mentions its previous label as the Hyperkinetic Reaction of Children before the 1980s. “The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) updated the guidelines 10 years ago to incorporate more specific diagnostic criteria for adults,” he elaborates, emphasizing the clearer guidance this update has provided clinicians.

Recent years have seen marked advancements in Adult ADHD management, with both non-medication and medication-based strategies coming to the forefront. With a growing number of counselors and coaches specializing in ADHD, it's evident that awareness of this condition is on the rise.

Leveraging technology has been a boon in raising ADHD awareness. Organizations like the Centre for ADHD Awareness, Canada (CADDAC) have effectively used webinars as educational tools.

Learn more at www.adultadhdcentre.com.

Source: Adult ADHD Centre via Newswire