American Children With ADHD May Not Be Properly Treated For The Health Issue

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) remains one of the most commonly diagnosed neurobehavioral disorders in the America. However, new research reveals that the health issue is often grossly under-treated.

Less than one in four commercially insured children are treated with medication for the problem or receive any means of psychotherapy, according to recent findings published in the JAMA Pediatrics.

"Treatment of ADHD in children generates lots of controversy, primarily because of potential for overuse and abuse of stimulant medications," said lead study author Dr. Walid F. Gellad, an adjunct scientist at RAND, a nonprofit research organization, in a news release. "We wanted to find out among those who receive ADHD medications, how many are also receive billed psychotherapy services? The answer is few, but it actually depends on where you live."

Furthermore, findings revealed that only about 13 percent of children using ADHD medications received any talk therapy, while 7 percent had just about eight or more therapy visits.

"In areas of the country where rates of use are so low, it indicates that many kids with private insurance who could benefit from therapy are not receiving it," concluded Gellad.

Statistics show that about 5 percent of children have ADHD, with boys more prone to the health issue than girls.