On the list of anxiety-provoking topics for parents, children’s sexual development and behavior is near the top for many. Parents may interpret normal sexual behavior in their children as a sign of abuse or other emotional problems, or they may under-react to sexualized behavior that indicates a major disturbance.

Both in general medicine and in psychiatry, the number one cause of treatment failure is not taking medications as prescribed. There are a number of reasons for non-adherence, ranging from physical side effects to psychological issues. Here, we’ll discuss the most common reasons for non-adherence, and some strategies for helping your patients stay on their meds.

Are you conflicted about methods of diagnosis and treatment in child and adolescent psychiatry? You are not alone. The International Critical Psychiatry Network (ICPN) (www.criticalpsychiatry.co.uk) is a growing international forum for critical thinking about alternative approaches to psychiatry.

Dr. Jill Berrick takes us through the intricacies of the foster care system, from traditional foster care to kinship care to reunification.

The FDA recently issued a warning that ADHD medications containing methylphenidate may cause priapism, a painful and long-lasting erection. The FDA concluded the association between these mediations and priapism based on reports to the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) and the biomedical literature.

A recent study found that the same type of therapy that has been proven best for PTSD seen in soldiers returning from war can be effective in treating PTSD in adolescent girls who have been victims of sexual violence.

The FDA recently approved marketing for a new post-natal blood test that will screen for a number of chromosomal abnormalities that are related to intellectual disabilities and developmental delays.

A new study from the British Medical Journal found that the death of a close family member in early childhood increased a person’s risk of psychotic disorders later in life. Researchers examined a cohort of more than 1 million births between 1973 and 1985 in Sweden to see if prenatal exposure to extreme maternal grief or postnatal bereavement could contribute to psychosis.

New research out of New Zealand reports that teens that identify as transgender have poor safety and well-being across a number of areas in comparison to their non-transgender peers.

A supportive school environment results in fewer kids using cigarettes and marijuana compared to a school that uses drug testing, according to recent research out of Rutgers University. However, neither strategy is particularly helpful in reducing teen drinking.