ADHD Statistics show it’s on the rise.

Cases and diagnoses of ADHD have been rising rapidly over the past few years. According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA), 5% of American children have it. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) put the number higher, more than double the APA’s figure. The CDC stats proclaim that 11% of American children between the ages of 4 and 17 have the disorder.

The percentage of children taking drugs jumped by more than a quarter, from 4.8% of the population between 4 and 17 to 6.1% between 2007 and 2011 according to a CDC survey. In fall 2011 and spring 2012, there was even a brief shortage of ADHD drugs, particularly generics, because the demand was outpacing the supply.