Straight Talk about Psychiatric Medications for Kids

May 1, 2000
Harvard researcher and practitioner Wilens presents a straightforward view of the medication options available to children with emotional, developmental and behavioral disorders. Parents coping with the weighty decisions surrounding the issue of pharmacotherapy for children will find this an informative guidebook. Wilens answers common questions parents ask when a practitioner prescribes a medication for their child and gives practical information on how to weigh the risks and benefits, including keeping a medication log to track a particular medication's efficacy. A helpful section of the book describes each disorder (schizophrenia, conduct disorder, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, etc.) and outlines the possible treatment plans, including information on specific drugs and their side effects. While some of the treatment plans may sound frightening (one child sampled nine different medications before reaching an effective treatment for anxiety and ADHD, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), Wilens's intent is clearly to educate parents concerning the complicated nature and treatment of many of these disorders. The author's straight talk about medications will help parents become "informed collaborators" in their child's psychiatric care.