Swedish registry shows fewer new depression diagnoses, rising ADHD diagnoses

Socialstyrelsen’s registry-based review examined psychiatric diagnoses among children and young adults in Sweden. Among children aged 10–17, new depression diagnoses have fallen since 2021, particularly among girls; new anxiety diagnoses among girls have declined since 2023. Among adults aged 18–24, registrations for both conditions have fallen for several years. The agency said the reasons are unclear and that increased care in primary care, where diagnoses may not yet be recorded in the national patient register, could partly explain the decline.

New ADHD diagnoses continue to increase, especially among girls aged 10–17 and young women. In 2025, the agency estimated that nearly 14% of boys and just over 9% of girls aged 10–17 had an ADHD diagnosis. Autism diagnoses remain high, although new cases have levelled off or declined in several groups. The review also found that pandemic-era increases in registered self-harm among girls aged 10–17 have remained at a high, stable level. These are registry trends, not measures of underlying prevalence or wellbeing; Socialstyrelsen calls for continued monitoring and broad assessments that consider other explanations for symptoms and possible comorbidity.