Health Care-Seeking Behaviors of African American ADHD Patients and Their Families: Overcoming Economic and Cultural Barriers

Many African Americans are not receiving mental health care for conditions like depression and ADHD, which can hinder their social and occupational functioning. Many disparities in the receipt of health care by African Americans stem from lack of finances or health insurance. Other barriers include access to care, concerns about treatment, and stigma toward mental illness. Clinicians can help overcome these barriers by providing education on mental illness and treatment, by gaining support from family members and community leaders and organizations, and by focusing on prevention and early intervention.

From the Department of Psychiatry and Pediatrics and the Adult Developmental Disorders Section, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia.