Convincing evidence suggests ADHD is being overdiagnosed in children and teens, with a growing trend to medicate those with milder symptoms, Australian researchers say.

Their systematic scoping review examining ADHD overdiagnosis — a world first — found a rise in pharmacological treatment between 1971 and 2018.

The team from the University of Sydney school of public health examined 334 studies from around the world, of which 30 estimated changes in ADHD prevalence, with 27 showing a rising trend.

Of the 83 studies looking at treatment using medication, 64 showed an increasing proportion of teenagers using drug therapies.