More ADHD Diagnoses; Can Parental Interventions Trump Drugs?

By Joe Elia

Over 10% of U.S. school-age children have received a medical diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, according to an analysis of federal data by the New York Times. The prevalence is almost 20% among high school boys.

One concern is that an estimated two thirds of those with ADHD receive prescriptions for stimulants. CDC Director Thomas R. Frieden told the Times: "The right medications for ADHD, given to the right people, can make a huge difference. Unfortunately, misuse appears to be growing at an alarming rate." Sales of those drugs have more than doubled since 2007, to $9 billion in 2012.

Another concern is that, according to one expert, "we have kids out there getting these drugs to use them as mental steroids - that's dangerous."

Meanwhile, a review in Pediatrics concludes that training parents to help address children's behavioral problems has "greater evidence of effectiveness than methylphenidate for treatment of preschoolers at risk for ADHD.

First Published in Physician's First Watch April 2, 2013

RELATED LINKS:
New York Times story (Free)
Pediatrics article (Free abstract)
AAP clinical practice guidelines on ADHD (2011) (Free PDF)