Kids with ADHD often complain that they are bored. But what does that really mean? And many are also depressed. Does treating the ADHD help these symptoms? We looked a study that tries to break this down and give us a way forward, while offering some new insights on the relationships between ADHD, mood and boredom - important and useful symptoms to track.

Often our patients with ADHD do not seem to respond adequately to one medication. We try different medications and we try combining them, but does it work? This study looked at the outcomes for stimulants alone and in combination with central alpha agonists, divalproex, and risperidone. Does polypharmacy work? Read it and see!

Ketamine is a hot topic in the treatment of adults with severe depression. But how effective is ketamine in adolescents? This research update looks at some emerging data to help you decide whether off label use of ketamine might be a viable option in teens with severe depression.

What is the relationship between ADHD and non-suicidal self-injury? This research update teases out an understanding of these and other common co-morbidities in a manner that suggests a practical approach to dealing with both problems in our child and adolescent patients.

We all need more resources to offer parents to help them with challenging behaviors. Online applications are springing up to address all sorts of difficulties. This study reports on a promising online program to teach parents how to manage tantrums in children.

Does marijuana use reduce pain and improve quality of life over time? This observational, uncontrolled trial suggests it might, but also identifies the need for more rigorous future studies.

When we choose medications, we typically think that we are paying attention to risks and benefits. But what happens when we just look through the lens of side effects? An entirely different picture emerges of what medications might be the better picks. You will be surprised and intrigued by this review of a very helpful study that will probably change your prescribing patterns.

Repetitive behaviors are part and parcel of the everyday challenges in autism spectrum disorders. The apparent similarly of these behaviors with obsessive compulsive disorders begs for trials of SSRIs such as fluoxetine (Prozac). But does this strategy work with any clear reliability? This research reviews addresses that question, with interesting results that impact everyday practice.

Anxiety disorders are some of the most common conditions we encounter in children and adolescents, and clinicians employ a variety of medications to treat them. This study examined prescribing patterns for the initial treatment of pediatric anxiety.

Parenting a child with ADHD can be challenging. Parents often report feeling stressed, burned out, or depressed while caring for their children with ADHD. When ADHD medications lead to significant improvements in a child’s behavior, can that alleviate symptoms in parents? A recently published study tried to examine that.