Oral Contraceptive Users and Depressive Symptoms

Topics: adolescents | Depression | Oral Contraceptives | teens

Review of: de Wit AE et al, JAMA Psychiatry 2019;77(1):52–59 Since the dawn of their widespread use in the 1960s, we’ve worried about the impact of oral contraceptives (OCP) on mood. But the research to date has been inconsistent, with studies reporting negative, positive, or no effects on mood. Heterogeneity in study population and design may un

Update: Is Watching 13 Reasons Why Bad for Teens?

Topics: 13 Reasons Why | Contagion | Media | Netflix | Suicide | teens

Review of: Bridge JA et al, J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2020;59(2):236–243 Netflix’s 13 Reasons Why (13RW) continues to generate controversy that it may do more harm than good amid the backdrop of an already increasing teen suicide rate, and CCPR has been watching the unfolding research (see Mar/Apr 2019 and Sept/Oct 2019 issues). Last tim

Adolescents and Sleep: Parents Can Make a Difference

Topics: adolescents | Sleep | teens

Review of: Peltz JS et al, Sleep 2019;zsz287 We know that sleep deprivation is an important contributor to mental health problems in teenagers. Studies show that adolescents need around 9.25 hours of sleep for optimal functioning, but most do not get adequate sleep for several reasons. Teens have a developmental drive to stay up later and sleep in lo

Highlights From This Issue

Topics: ADHD | adolescents | Child Psychiatry | Teen | teens

The long-term effects of ADHD on longevity support assertive treatment in childhood and adolescence. Most reading programs that are heavily marketed do not have direct research demonstrating their efficacy; however, we can learn the important principles and offer families guidance. There are many practical strategies to help families manage AD

Are Target Symptoms More Important Than Diagnosis?

Topics: ADHD | adolescents | Research | Teen | teens

Recently I evaluated Caroline, a 15-year-old patient who presented with symptoms of depression, including insomnia, poor appetite, loss of interest in friends and activities, and inability to focus on her schoolwork. In addition, Caroline described a sad, dark view of herself, the state of the world, and her future. It seemed clear that I needed to addr

Reduced Life Expectancy in ADHD

Topics: ADHD | attention | Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder | Life coaching | Life expectancy | Longevity | Medication | methylphenidate | Mortality | stimulant | Teen | teens

CCPR: To start, tell us about how the thinking has changed in terms of health consequences from ADHD. Dr. Barkley: In the 1970s, we saw ADHD as an educational disorder with impacts on school behavior and academic achievement. Around that same time, there was a parallel path recognizing ADHD as a social problem in family functioning and peer relationshi

Reimagining ADHD

Topics: ADHD | attention | Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder | Relationships | Teen | teens

CCPR: Thanks for speaking with us today, Dr. Hallowell. Please tell us about your work. Dr. Hallowell: I’m a writer, a speaker, and a practicing psychiatrist. I have offices in Boston, New York, San Francisco, and Seattle. I went to Harvard College, Tulane Medical School, Harvard residency, and fellowship at Mass Mental Health Center. After that I wa

Can Stimulants Prevent Crime?

Topics: ADHD | attention | Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder | Crime | Criminal behavior | Learning & Developmental Disabilities | Medication | stimulant | Teen | teens

Review of: Mohr-Jensen C et al, J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2019;58(4):443–452 ADHD has long been linked to antisocial behavior leading to arrests and incarcerations. Children and young adults with ADHD are more likely to be charged with anything from traffic violations to violent crimes. However, these associations do not prove causality. I

Methylphenidate Max Dosing

Topics: ADHD | attention | Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder | Medication | methylphenidate | stimulant | Teen | teens

Review of: Ching C et al, JAMA Pediatr 2019;173(7):630–639 Methylphenidate was one of the first stimulants prescribed for the treatment of ADHD in children, adolescents, and adults. Its efficacy is clear, and its availability in immediate release, sustained release, osmotic release oral system (OROS, brand name Concerta), and transdermal patch keep

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) for Depression in Children and Adolescents

Topics: adolescents | Brain Devices | children | Depression | Free Articles | pediatric | safety | teens | TMS | Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Editor’s note: This article is about the “usual” TMS that we have been hearing about for many years. We are covering trigeminal nerve stimulation (eTNS) separately in this issue in a News of Note as it is far newer with far less clarity about its utility. The search for safer treatment With concerns about both safety and efficacy surrounding a

Medications for Depression

Topics: adolescents | Child Psychiatry | children | Depression | pediatric | Psychopharmacology | teens | treatment

CCPR: You recently published an article reviewing the ­placebo-controlled trials done over the past 10 years on depression in kids (Ignaszewski MJ and Waslick B, J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol 2018;Epub ahead of print). Can you tell us about your findings? Dr. Ignaszewski: Historically, there’s been a lot of controversy about the effectiveness of a

Practical Approaches to Vetting Clinical Research

Topics: adolescents | children | Clinical practice | inquiry | pediatric | PICOT | Practice Tools and Tips | Research | teens

CCPR: Tell us a bit about your current work. What is your population? Whom do you treat? Dr. Courtney: My clinical population are patients with concurrent addictions and mental health issues. These patients present complex clinical challenges, and so I have made efforts to use a method to think about and sort through those problems. CCPR: Please sha

FDA Approves Adhansia XR

Topics: Adhansia XR | ADHD | adolescents | Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder | Child Psychiatry | children | extended-release | methylphenidate | News of Note | pediatric | teens | treatment

We are always in need of a new formulation of stimulant medication that might capture a few more of our patients who just do not quite tolerate or respond well enough to the many existing formulations. So whenever a new one is released, we try to set aside our natural skepticism and take a look at the stated facts before judging its merit. Adhansia X

First Non-Drug Treatment Approved by FDA for Treating Children With ADHD

Topics: ADHD | adolescents | Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder | Brain Devices | Child Psychiatry | children | efficacy | eTNS | News of Note | pediatric | safety | teens | treatment | Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation

NeuroSigma made a splash by announcing that the FDA has granted medical device approval for its external Monarch Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation (eTNS) System for treating kids with ADHD ages 7–12 who are not currently taking medications. What does medical device approval mean? The FDA reviewed the Monarch eTNS System through the de novo ­pre-market

Prescribing Patterns for Children With Anxiety Disorders

Topics: adolescents | Anxiety | Child Psychiatry | children | Medication | prescribing patterns | Research Update | teens | treatment pediatric

Review of: Bushnell GA et al, J Clin Psychiatry 2018;79(1):pii:16m11415 Anxiety disorders are some of the most common conditions we encounter in children and adolescents, and clinicians employ a variety of medications to treat them. This study examined prescribing patterns for the initial treatment of pediatric anxiety. Researchers analyzed a larg

Steroid-Induced Psychosis in the ­Pediatric Population

Topics: adolescents | Child Psychiatry | children | Free Articles | pediatric | Psychosis | Research Update | steroids | teens

Review of: Hodgins GE et al, J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol 2018;28(5):354–359 Childhood psychosis is a rare disorder, and accurate diagnosis is crucial. Recently, clinicians at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine reported a case of steroid-induced psychosis in a pediatric patient. In the case report, a 12-year-old Haitian girl wa

Risk of Psychosis With Stimulants in ADHD Patients

Topics: ADHD | adolescents | amphetamine | Child Psychiatry | children | Free Articles | Medication | methylphenidate | pediatric | Psychosis | Research Update | stimulant | teens

Review of: Moran LV et al, N Engl J Med 2019;380(12):1128–1138 In 2007, the FDA required stimulant manufacturers to warn of possible psychosis with stimulants. But what is the real incidence? This study set out to find and discern if there is a difference between methylphenidate and amphetamine classes of medications. Drawing from two large comm

Growing Rate of Suicide in Teens: Assessment and Prevention

Topics: adolescents | Assessment | Risk | teens | Treatment planning

Clinicians treating children and adolescents regularly encounter patients with suicidal thoughts. And with rising rates of adolescent suicide and shrinking inpatient stays, we’re seeing more of these suicidal kids in our offices. This article examines some of the novel risk factors and offers management and prevention strategies for you to consider ut

Motivational Interviewing With Teens About Weed

Topics: Cannabis | Marijuana | Motivational Interviewing | Outpatient | Primary care | Substance use disorders | teens | Weed

With motivational interviewing (MI), people are more likely to accept and act when they feel ownership; MI is specifically helpful for teens, who are at an age where they do not want suggestions from others. We spoke with Dr. Elizabeth D’Amico, nationally recognized for her work developing, implementing, and evaluating interventions for adolescents, a

Update: Is Watching 13 Reasons Why Bad for Teens?

Topics: Bullying | Contagion | Media | Prevention | Research Update | Risk | Suicidality | Suicide | teens

Review of: Niederkrotenthaler T et al, JAMA Psychiatry 2019. doi: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2019.0922 Several studies have examined whether Netflix’s 13 Reasons Why is good or bad for teens. Results have been mixed. In the CCPR March/April 2019 issue, we reported a study finding that most suicidal ideation decreased after watching the first season of