Dyslexia, a learning disability characterized by difficulty in reading skills, is highly prevalent, with rates between 5% and 17%. Treatments include non-medical interventions, which have limited success.

Why do children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have tantrums? One theory is that these tantrums are due in part to children’s frustration with not being able to express themselves. This theory has led to a treatment approach called “mand training.”

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Evaluating a first episode of psychosis in college students is challenging—it’s not clear from the outset if the episode will represent a one-time occurrence or the start of a lifelong illness. The differential diagnosis is large and includes depression with psychotic features, bipolar disorder, a primary psychotic disorder like schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, drug-induced psychosis, and transient psychotic episodes.

If a kid without psychosis says Freddy Krueger’s in the closet and his parents assure him that no one is in there, he will eventually settle down and fall asleep. A psychotic child will not be able to fall asleep and will persist in his belief no matter how much reassurance he receives. Another important clue is if the child has these fears during the day or at school.

Parents of kids with ADHD often ask about the role of diet and nutrition in their child’s symptoms, and research has uncovered some interesting possibilities. For example, there is some evidence that concentrations of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs, which includes omega-3 fatty acids) may be lower in people with ADHD.

Why would an antibiotic be helpful in psychiatry? Minocycline crosses the blood-brain barrier and may have neuroprotective effects. A recent study tested whether minocycline might be useful as an adjunct to risperidone for ASD.

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PANS and PANDAS--a hitherto normal child suddenly develops severe OCD symptoms. These may include refusing to leave the house, engaging in constant checking and washing rituals, asking repeatedly if the door is locked, making odd facial movements, having full-on tantrums with kicking and screaming, wetting the bed, and being unable to perform in school. “I lost my child overnight” was, and is, a common refrain.

How do you confidently diagnose a child that you suspect is presenting with PANDAS/PANS? (See lead article for definition.) And if you do make that diagnosis, how should treatment proceed? Child psychiatrist Erica Greenberg sees new cases almost every week. We turned to her for some boots-on-the-ground guidance.