Diet and Nutrition (November)

Date of Issue: 11/01/2013 | Volume: 4 | Number: 6

Issue Links:Learning Objectives | Editorial Information

This issue informs the clinician on how diet, nutrition, and supplements can potentially affect the treatment of both ADHD and autism in children and adolescents. It also discusses the similarities and differences of the placebo response in youth psychiatric patients compared to adults.

In This Issue

Article

Nutritional Supplements in the Treatment of Childhood ADHD

Topics: Natural Medications

The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), such as nutritional supplements, is common in children with ADHD, despite limited evidence for its effectiveness. Many consumers use these treatments, often without telling their physicians.

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Article

Placebo: It’s Good for What Ails You

Topics: Natural Medications

The most studied psychiatric medication for children, and arguably the most broad-spectrum medication available, is placebo. It has proven itself repeatedly to be as good or better than a number of FDA-approved medications that are effective in adults.

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Expert Q&A

Can Diet Really Improve Autism?

Topics: Autism Spectrum Disorder | Natural Medications

In recent years the autism diet has increased in popularity. But does it work? Dr. Jennifer Harrison Elder explains the evidence.

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Research Update

How Can Teachers Best Help Us Identify ADHD?

Topics: ADHD | Research Updates

Current diagnostic criteria for ADHD involves documentation of impairment in more than one setting. Since most kids receive an ADHD diagnosis during their school years, we greatly depend on teachers to provide us with information on behavior and symptoms.

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Research Update

The Power of a Child’s Subjective Response to Trauma

Topics: PTSD | Research Updates

By now most of us know how PTSD looks in DSM-5. Among a number of changes is the removal of criterion A2, which required a response to an event to include “intense fear, helplessness, or horror.” Criterion A1—exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence—was slightly edited, but remains a diagnostic requirement for the disorder.

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News of Note

Probiotics: Good for the Mind?

Topics: Natural Medications | News of Note

Evidence is emerging that probiotics, those living organisms found in yogurt and other fermented foods, can do more than improve digestive health. Preliminary research has found that some of these bacteria may also have antidepressant or anxiolytic effects.

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News of Note

More Teens Smoking Flavored Little Cigars

Topics: News of Note

A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that more than two out of every five middle and high school students who smoke either use flavored little cigars or flavored cigarettes.

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