Synopses & Reviews
Review
"This book gives parents the facts they need to help them with one of the most anxiety-provoking decisions they may face: 'Should medication be used to help my child, and what are the risks and the benefits?' Parents need wonder no longer. The best answers science has at its disposal are right here."/m-/Russell A. Barkley, PhD, author of
Taking Charge of ADHDReview
"...demystifies the complex process by which doctors diagnose and treat AD/HD and other common psychiatric and behavioral disorders of childhood, including anxiety, depression, and autism."--
Additude"This is a good, functional book for parents, teachers, and clinicians....The book may look small, but it does emphasize all the important issues in the use of psychotropic medication in children and adolescents....3 Stars"--Doody's Electronic Journal
"...presents plain-terms need-to-know facts for parents trying to figure out which (if any) medication is the right choice for a growing child, and/or the best alternatives available....strongly recommended as preparatory reading to better acquaint oneself with the options before discussing matters of medication with the family doctor."--Wisconsin Bookwatch
"A godsend for parents looking for answers. Wilens takes the mystery out of medication."--Time
"An informative guidebook....The author's straight talk about medications will help parents become 'informed collaborators' in their child's psychiatric care."--Publishers Weekly
"Filled with helpful tables and charts, definitions, commonly asked questions, and sources for further information and support."--Library Journal
"Excellent....This book is comprehensive in scope and friendly in presentation."--Pediatric Rehabilitation
“Interesting and useful….Although it is directed to parents, it will help experienced practitioners to review their own attitudes and strategies when advising parents about the possible use of medication for their children. It will help residents and newly graduated child psychiatrists understand the intricacies and obstacles that can impede a seemingly straightforward and evidence-based recommendation for medication.”--Journal of the Canadian Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Synopsis
In this popular resource, Dr. Timothy Wilens provides essential guidance for parents facing tough choices about whether or not to give a child medication for emotional or behavioral problems. 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; how to maximize the benefits; and when to consider other treatments instead. A special 2005 supplement advises parents on the issues surrounding the FDA "black box" warning on SSRIs for depression in children and teenagers.
About the Author
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
Contents
Introduction
I. What Every Parent Should Know about Psychiatric Medications for Children
1. The Preliminaries: Building a Foundation of Knowledge
2. The Psychopharmacological Evaluation: Finding Out What's Wrong
3. The Diagnosis and Treatment Plan: Laying Out a Strategy to Help Your Child
4. Treatment and Beyond: Collaborating in Your Child's Ongoing Care
II. Common Childhood Psychiatric Disorders
5. Attentional and Disruptive Behavioral Disorders
6. Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorders
7. The Mood Disorders
8. Anxiety-Related Disorders
9. Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders
10. Disorders of Known Medical and Neurological Origin
11. Other Mental Health Disturbances Affecting Children and Adolescents
III. The Psychotropic Medications
12. The Stimulants and Nonstimulants for ADHD
13. The Antidepressants
14. The Mood Stabilizers
15. The Anxiety-Breaking Medications
16. The Antihypertensives
17. The Antipsychotics
18. Medications for Sleep, Bedwetting, and Other Problems
Appendix: Representative Medication Preparations and Sizes Used for the Treatment of Childhood Emotional and Behavioral Disorders o Example of a Completed Medication Log o Medication Log
Resources