Adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has a global prevalence of 3.1% (Ayano et al., 2023b); the pediatric prevalence is approximately 8% worldwide (Ayano et al., 2023a). In a survey of American adults, approximately 6% (15.5 million) reported a diagnosis of ADHD. Half of those adults with ADHD received their diagnosis in adulthood (Staley et al., 2024). Worldwide prevalence of ADHD has remained stable since COVID-19 (Martin et al., 2025). Despite evidence that ADHD prevalence has remained stable, there has been a rise in adults believing they have ADHD, with one survey noting 1 in 4 adults suspecting they have ADHD (Scahill & Kistler, 2024).

Adult ADHD is a real condition, but not as prevalent as media narratives may lead us to believe. One of the diagnostic criteria for a diagnosis of ADHD is the presence of symptoms before age 12 (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2022). Sometimes early symptoms are not functionally impairing until the person reaches adolescence and adulthood. Sometimes inattention and impulsivity are a sign of a different problem, separate from ADHD.

Sleep: Disordered sleep impacts many areas of cognitive functioning, including mood, memory, attention, sensory perception, and reasoning (Rodrigues & Shigaeff, 2022). Individuals who are sleep deprived often experience more instances of forgetfulness, distractibility, and slow cognitive processing. Studies have also found that sleep deprivation is related to impulsive behavior (Demos et al., 2016). Correcting sleep patterns can be the first step in treatment of attention problems and impulsivity.

Device Usage: Besides impacting sleep, electronic devices can directly impact attention. Studies have shown that even having a smartphone visibly present in a room can negatively affect attention (Skowronek et al., 2023). The content on the device also has significant impacts on attention; researchers have found that short-form video content (i.e., TikTok, Reels, Shorts) have a negative impact on attention. Time spent on electronic devices is problematic, especially for young children (Santos et al., 2022). A screen time audit can be an important early step when assessing attention concerns.

Burnout: Anyone who........

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