Child-psychiatry - Articles - Page 8

Extended-Release Guanfacine Improves ADHD Symptoms in Autism

July 1, 2016

Bret A. Moore, PsyD, ABPP. Board-Certified Clinical Psychologist, San Antonio, TX. Dr. Moore has disclosed that he has no relevant financial or other interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.

Stimulants are fairly effective but tend to cause more side effects in autistic ADHD kids than in children with pure ADHD. Atomoxetine was only equivocally effective in one trial, and the immediate-release version of guanfacine was tested in a small open-label trial, resulting in improvement in about half the subjects.

Meds for ADHD Not Working? Add CBT

May 1, 2016

Bret A. Moore, PsyD, ABPP. Board-Certified Clinical Psychologist, San Antonio, TX. Dr. Moore has disclosed that he has no relevant financial or other interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.

Medication is an effective and necessary treatment for many adolescents struggling with ADHD. Unfortunately, even when patients and parents report significant relief from meds, symptoms persist, which can lead to ongoing problems at school, at home, and with peers. That’s why psychosocial interventions are an important part of any treatment plan for adolescents with ADHD.

Risperidone Leads to Serious Metabolic Problems in Autistic Children

May 1, 2016

Bret A. Moore, PsyD, ABPP. Board-Certified Clinical Psychologist, San Antonio, TX. Dr. Moore has disclosed that he has no relevant financial or other interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.

The metabolic effects of atypical antipsychotics in children are well known, and carefully weighing the risk-benefit ratio of their use is a difficult ordeal for both parents and clinicians. The reality is that the use of these meds is necessary for some children, particularly those dealing with an autism spectrum disorder with serious behavioral problems.

Understanding Conduct Disorder

April 1, 2016

The diagnosis of conduct disorder started with patients who were generally labeled as “bad kids”—juvenile delinquents, so to speak—and then professionals came to the realization that these kids are not necessarily “bad” but that there may be some kind of psychiatric pathology underlying their actions. In this interview, Akeem Marsh, MD, presents his perspective as a psychiatrist providing diagnostic evaluations, medication management, individual therapy, and treatment planning in a juvenile detention setting in New York City.

Getting Bullied as a Kid: Not Good for Your Mental Health

April 1, 2016

Bret A. Moore, PsyD, ABPP

Previous studies have shown that children who are bullied or who bully others are at higher-than-normal risk to have psychiatric disorders as adults. It’s tempting to blame the bullying—but it’s possible that the development of adult problems was driven not by bullying, but rather by preexisting psychiatric disorders in childhood.

Disrupted Sleep: Approaches to Assessment and Treatment in Children and Adolescents

March 1, 2016

Ian Lee, DO

This article describes some of the more common sleep disorders of childhood and presents the cornerstone for diagnosing pediatric sleep disorders as obtaining a detailed and accurate history followed by a comprehensive physical exam that includes screening for developmental delays and cognitive dysfunction.

Got Zeitgebers? You Should

March 1, 2016

Rafael Pelayo, MD

This article describes some of the more common sleep disorders of childhood and presents the cornerstone for diagnosing pediatric sleep disorders as obtaining a detailed and accurate history followed by a comprehensive physical exam that includes screening for developmental delays and cognitive dysfunction.

EXPERT Q&A

Poor Sleep in Children and Adolescents: A Primer

March 1, 2016

Rafael Pelayo, MD, FAASM

CCPR_DrPelayo_photo_Q&A.jpg Rafael Pelayo, MD.

Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford Center for Sleep Sciences and Medicine at the Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA.

Dr. Pelayo has disclosed that he has no relevant financial or other interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.

The more important issue with sleep disorders is not so much the number of hours of sleep; it’s whether the child wakes up refreshed or not. Sleeping is about restoring the brain.Dr. Pelayo discusses his approach to treating sleep disorders, focusing on the key areas clinicians need to cover when getting a patient’s history.

The Explosion of the ADHD Diagnosis: The Key Causes

January 1, 2016

Stephen P. Hinshaw, PhD

Rates of ADHD have increased significantly in the U.S. over the past several years, leading to an ongoing debate about the validity of the disorder. Because you are likely to be asked by patients (or their parents) about this issue, it’s helpful for you to have some background in exactly how much the prevalence has increased, and what factors may be driving this trend.

Newer Stimulant Preparations: Are They Worth the Cost?

January 1, 2016

We are generally skeptical of the utility of newly approved stimulant preparations, unless they are actually new molecules. Over the last few years, several of these variations on older themes have been introduced; here is a handy table for your perusal should you be curious.