More Kids taking Prescription Drugs

It’s a common chronic condition in children. The National Center for Health Statistics reports that more than 7% of American children ages 6 through 17 are taking medication for emotional or behavioral problems and it’s mainly young boys. “There were more males than females overall both between the younger and older age groups.” Lead author of the study, LeJeana Howie was surprised to learn more than half of the children taking medication for emotional or behavioral problems were not diagnosed with ADHD. “We found that about 81% of the children, 6-17 receiving medication for emotional behavioral difficulties had ever been diagnosed with ADHD.” More than half of the parents interviewed said that the medication helps their children a lot.