CDC: 1 in 5 Kids Has a Mental Disorder

In any given year, up to 1 in 5 U.S. children has a mental health disorder, a new report says. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released the report. It’s the government’s first detailed look at the subject. Estimates cover children ages 3 through 17. Nearly 7% have attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the most common condition. About 3.5% have behavior or conduct disorders. About 3% have anxiety, 2% have depression and 1% have autism. The report also looked at substance abuse disorders among teenagers. Drug use disorders affected nearly 5%. Other totals included more than 4% for alcohol abuse and nearly 3% for cigarettes. The journal Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report published the study. HealthDay News wrote about it May 16.