The treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) continues to become reliant on stimulant medication.
Doctors at National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality analysed the treatment of ADHD dating back to the 1980s and found that although the rate of stimulant prescription had slowed the amount prescribed continued to increase.
Benedetto Vitiello, co-author of the report, said stimulant methods are effective at dealing with the condition but they are not the only treatment option available to sufferers.
"The children with the most severe symptoms are more likely to be taking stimulants. Those with milder symptoms are more likely being treated with psychosocial treatments or other non-stimulant medications," researchers stated.
Mental health charity Mind believes ADHD is the UK's most common behavioural condition and its symptoms - such as poor attention and hyperactivity - can last into adulthood.
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Private ADHD treatment news: 2 October 2011