Observations in psychotropic medication usage in patients with behavior disorders presenting to a specialty clinic

In recent decades, national and international surveys have reported increased usage of psychotropic medications in children. A review of the computerized clinic records for 709 children seen in a behavioral specialty clinic from January 2001 to December 2007, inclusive, in a rural US state was completed. The number of children diagnosed with disruptive behavior disorder/behavior management issues increased over the 7-year period, but this was balanced by an increased number of referrals. The number of children referred over the 7-year period increased from 77 in 2001 to 127 in 2006, a 39% increase. The overall percentage of children on medications at time of first visit showed some variability, but it did not increase over the years 2001 to 2007. The results of this study suggest that the previously reported increase in psychotropic medication usage in pediatric patients is not consistent across all diagnostic categories or in all regions of the United States.