Straight Talk about Psychiatric Medications for Kids, Revised Edition

by Wilens, Timothy E.

• ISBN13: 9781593850319
• ISBN10: 159385031X
• Edition: Revised
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2004-06-18
• Publisher: The Guilford Press

Summary

Newly revised and expanded, this essential guide provides parents with the up-to-date information they need to fully understand what their child's doctor is recommending and what their options are. Packed with frequently asked questions, examples, and charts, the book explains which medications are prescribed for kids and why; their effects on health, emotions, and school performance; what parents can do to maximize their benefits; and when to consider other treatments instead. Revised Edition Coverage Includes: * New ways of dealing with side effects and protecting kids' safety* Advances in treating specific disorders* New and longer-acting medications that make administration easier* Emerging research on long-term benefits and risks* Tips for saving money on prescriptions* Legislative and health care changes that affect children's treatment

Author Biography

Timothy E. Wilens, MD, Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, specializes in pediatric and adult psychopharmacology in his clinical work at Massachusetts General Hospital. Board-certified in child, adolescent, adult, and addiction psychiatry, Dr. Wilens has conducted research and published widely on psychiatric medications.

Table of Contents

Introduction	1	(6)
PART I. What Every Parent Should Know about Psychiatric Medications for Children	7	(134)
The Preliminaries: Building a Foundation of Knowledge	9	(46)
The Psychopharmacological Evaluation: Finding Out What's Wrong	55	(24)
The Diagnosis and Treatment Plan: Laying Out a Strategy to Help Your Child	79	(34)
Treatment and Beyond: Collaborating in Your Child's Ongoing Care	113	(28)
PART II. Common Childhood Psychiatric Disorders	141	(62)
Attentional and Disruptive Behavioral Disorders	143	(11)
Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorders	154	(6)
The Mood Disorders	160	(11)
Anxiety-Related Disorders	171	(10)
Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders	181	(3)
Disorders of Known Medical and Neurological Origin	184	(7)
Other Mental Health Disturbances Affecting Children and Adolescents	191	(12)
PART III. The Psychotropic Medications	203	(70)
The Stimulants and Nonstimulants for ADHD	205	(18)
The Antidepressants	223	(12)
The Mood Stabilizers	235	(9)
The Anxiety-Breaking Medications	244	(5)
The Antihypertensives	249	(5)
The Antipsychotics	254	(8)
Medications for Sleep, Bedwetting, and Other Problems	262	(11)
APPENDIX
Representative Medication Preparations and Sizes Used for the Treatment of Childhood Emotional and Behavioral Disorders	265	(5)
Example of a Completed Medication Log	270	(1)
Medication Log	271	(2)
Resources	273	(14)
Bibliography	287	(13)
Index	300	(10)
About the Author	310