Most Canadian adults suffer from ADHD

The number of adults seeking diagnosis and treatment for Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD) seems to have increased dramatically, doctors and ADHD law firms have found.

This is especially the case with Dr. Gurdeep Parhar, who has observed a 25% increase in the number of adults attending his clinic in Barnaby, British Columbia for diagnosis since the outbreak began.

However, not all of them received diagnostic criteria, but had general attention problems. The situation is understandable given all the uprisings associated with the epidemic in the last two years. With the collapse of routines and schedules, unrecognized ADHD has come to the fore in many individuals, Dr. Parhar told The Globe and Mail.

“COVID brought it to light,” he said. For people who have worked well in a structured environment, whether it be a classroom or an office, all of a sudden that structured time is given.

There is also a greater awareness of ADHD and its subtleties than previous generations.

Wayne O’Brien runs a support group in Toronto for adults with ADHD. Prior to the outbreak, the group had about 100 active members, who met twice a month. According to O’Brien, meetings have become virtual and the number of active members has tripled. Many newcomers have not yet been diagnosed, but believe they have the disease.

ADHD is the most common mental health disorder in children. It affects about 5% of people of all ages, however, it is estimated that 90% of adults with ADHD go undiagnosed.

There are definitive diagnostic criteria for ADHD, Dr. Parhar said. Although it is based on psychological assessment, it causes most of all dysfunction. If you do not have trouble with work, family or personal relationships, you probably do not have ADHD, he said.