The Florida Department of Health issued guidance July 24 recommending that healthcare providers avoid prescribing psychotropic medications to children ages 5-17 for mental health conditions including depression, anxiety and attention-deficit related disorders.
The guidance comes as HHS outlined an action plan May 4 to “curb psychiatric overprescribing” when clinically indicated, especially for children.
Here are three things to know:
- The guidance, issued by State Surgeon General Joseph A. Ladapo, MD, PhD, recommends comprehensive evaluations, including a health history, psychosocial assessment, mental status exam and physical exam, before initiating treatment. It also recommends completing laboratory testing for nutritional and endocrine disorders, heavy metals, mold exposure and blood disorders before prescribing medication.
- The department recommends beginning psychotherapy before considering psychotropic medication for children with mild presentations, offering parents evidence-based behavior management strategies and using deprescribing practices when discontinuing medications, according to the release.
- The guidance cited 2021 National Health Interview Survey data showing 14.9% of children ages 5-17 received mental health treatment in the previous 12 months, 8% took medication as part of that treatment and 11.5% received therapy or counseling. It also cited research finding that 42.9% of psychotropic prescriptions for patients younger than 18 were written by general practitioners, 12.2% by nurse practitioners or physician assistants and 7.2% by other medical doctors.
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