A recent study indicates that young children diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are frequently prescribed medication too quickly. Conducted by Stanford Medicine and published in JAMA Network Open, the study analyzed health records of nearly 10,000 preschool-aged children, ages 3 to 5, diagnosed with ADHD between 2016 and 2023.

ADHD is characterized by difficulties in maintaining attention and hyperactivity, which can manifest as excessive energy and trouble sitting still. Jamie Howard, a senior clinical psychologist at the Child Mind Institute, noted that clinical guidelines recommend starting treatment with behavioral interventions rather than medication. "We always want to start with the lowest possible harm," Howard stated. "It does very little harm doing a behavioral intervention."

The study revealed that approximately 68% of the children diagnosed with ADHD were prescribed medications before turning 7 years old. Stimulants, such as Ritalin, were the most commonly prescribed drugs, aimed at helping children focus and manage their emotions. Alarmingly, the study found that about 42% of these children received medication within 30 days of their diagnosis.

Dr. Yair Bannett, an assistant professor of pediatrics at Stanford Medicine and the study's lead author, expressed concerns about the rapid prescription of medication. "We don't have concerns about the toxicity of the medications for 4- and 5-year-olds, but we do know that there is a high likelihood of treatment failure, because many families decide the side effects outweigh the benefits," he explained. Side effects can include irritability, aggression, and emotional issues.

The researchers emphasized the need for further investigation into the high rates of medication prescriptions among preschool-aged children with ADHD and the short time frame between diagnosis and treatment. The study also highlighted that about 76% of the young children diagnosed with ADHD were boys.

Howard added, "I think that people have an association with ADHD and stimulant medication. But there is actually a lot more than that. And we want to give kids the opportunity to use these other strategies first, and then if they need medication, it can be incredibly helpful for a lot of kids."