Originally Published 4 months ago — by Hacker News
The article discusses the challenges faced by individuals with ADHD in accessing effective treatment, highlighting issues like strict prescribing regulations, stigma, and bureaucratic hurdles, while also sharing personal stories about medication use, the impact of treatment, and the need for better healthcare policies. It emphasizes the importance of proper diagnosis and the complex interplay between medical regulation and patient needs.
A survey by West Health and Gallup reveals that 75% of Americans believe mental health conditions are treated worse than physical health issues, with 57% grading the healthcare system's ability to handle mental health as a D or F. Key barriers include affordability, provider availability, and stigma, with 74% of recent sufferers feeling negatively viewed. Despite this, 53% find psychological counseling effective, though fewer believe in medication's efficacy. Over 80% perceive a rise in mental health issues in the past five years, especially among women and those under 50.
Despite the rising number of opioid overdoses among adolescents, a national study found that only 5 percent of pediatricians have ever prescribed buprenorphine or naltrexone for opioid use disorder, highlighting a significant gap in addiction treatment. The study underscores the need for expanded addiction training in medical schools and better incentives to treat patients with opioid use disorder. Access to addiction medications is particularly scarce for adolescents, and the stakes are high as drug overdoses and accidental opioid poisonings are the third leading cause of death for children in the United States.
