Topics: Antidepressants | Antipsychotics | Child Psychiatry | Psychopharmacology Tips

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are widely used as the first-line treatment for depression and anxiety in children and adolescents, but they are associated with significant adverse effects (AEs). Studies have shown that up to 50% of kids experience side effects from SSRIs, depending on the sample size and the type of study.

Topics: Antidepressants | Antipsychotics | Child Psychiatry | Psychopharmacology Tips

Pharmacoepidemiologist Tamara Pringsheim, MD, describes strategies for dealing with metabolic, extrapyramidal, and hormonal side effects of antipsychotics.

Topics: Child Psychiatry | Research Updates

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends mental health screening as a standard part of well-child physicals.

Topics: Child Psychiatry | Natural Medications | Research Updates

Aggressive behavior is a huge problem in child psychiatry. In fact, some estimates say as many as 80% of children and adolescents referred for psychiatric care have some type of aggression, including oppositional defiant disorder or conduct disorder (Connor D, The Carlat Child Psychiatry Report 2010;1(1):4–5).

Topics: Child Psychiatry | News of Note

Legalizing medical marijuana has no effect on teen pot use, according to a study published online April 15 in the Journal of Adolescent Health (http://bit.ly/QnPJNq).

Topics: ADHD | Child Psychiatry | News of Note

A new study in Korea found that children with ADHD had a 1.6 times greater risk of asthma and a 1.4 times greater risk of nasal allergies than children without ADHD.

Topics: News of Note | Substance Abuse

A recent study found that 18% of Ivy League students have used stimulants to improve academic performance, according to information scheduled to be presented at the annual meeting of the Pediatric Academic Societies in Vancouver, BC, in May.