The increase is driven by cognitive difficulties among younger people and needs to be monitored because of its potentially serious long-term policy implications
I am wondering whether the rise in reported disabilities could be due, at least partially, to a higher rate of diagnosis. I only have anecdotal evidence, and I am not claiming it is the sole effect, but I have seen many people benefiting from the lockdowns and stay-at-home orders to diagnosis a pre-existing mental health disorder (ADHD, depression, anxiety, etc.).
Seems plausible. When this first published, someone tweeted a chart at me showing related prescriptions increasing, but now that site barely works and I can’t find it. I think it may have been over a longer timeframe. Anyway, I wouldn’t be surprised if changes in detection/diagnosis are playing a meaningful role.
Thank you for this article.
I am wondering whether the rise in reported disabilities could be due, at least partially, to a higher rate of diagnosis. I only have anecdotal evidence, and I am not claiming it is the sole effect, but I have seen many people benefiting from the lockdowns and stay-at-home orders to diagnosis a pre-existing mental health disorder (ADHD, depression, anxiety, etc.).
Seems plausible. When this first published, someone tweeted a chart at me showing related prescriptions increasing, but now that site barely works and I can’t find it. I think it may have been over a longer timeframe. Anyway, I wouldn’t be surprised if changes in detection/diagnosis are playing a meaningful role.
You might find this piece by my colleague Louis Sheiner relevant https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/WP80-Sheiner-Salwati_10.27.pdf She is in the process of updating it. Cheers, David Wessel
Interesting, thanks David!