Children's Psychotropic Medication Use by Age and Diagnostic Sub-groups

Publication Date: 12/1/2003

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Description:

The Policy and Services Research Data Center Data Brief #2 (October, 2003) examined the diagnostic sub-groups of children receiving Medicaid-funded Mental Health services. Th at brief indicated that more than 120,000 children statewide received such services from July 1, 2001- June 30, 2002. This report examines the types of psychotropic medications paid for by Medicaid among these diagnostic groups.

Practice parameters published by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (http://www.aacap.org/clinical/parameters/index.htm) indicate that various psychotropic medications may be eff ective in treating child and adolescent disorders such as ADHD, Anxiety Disorders, Aff ective Disorders (Bipolar Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder), and Schizophrenia. Only stimulants, Tricyclic antidepressants (TCA), and SSRI antidepressants have been extensively studied for use by children and adolescents. Stimulants have been shown to be eff ective in short-term treatment for ADHD. Other treatment guidelines are largely based on practice guidelines developed for adults. Predominant medications reviewed in these articles are summarized in Appendix A. Disorders in Appendix A are specifi ed where there is some evidence of treatment eff ectiveness within a broad therapeutic class, based on articles posted on above website.