"When a child is struggling with an emotional or behavioral problem, parents face many difficult decisions. Is medication the right choice? What about side effects? How long will medication be needed? In this authoritative guide, leading child psychiatrists Drs. Timothy Wilens and Paul Hammerness explain the nuts and bolts of psychiatric medications--from how they work and potential risks to their impact on a child's emotions, school performance, personality, and health. Extensively revised to include the latest information about medications and their uses, the fourth edition is even more accessible, and includes pullouts, bulleted lists, and "take home points" highlighting critical facts. In addition to parents, this is an ideal reference for teachers and other school professionals"--

Is medication the right choice for treating your child's emotional or behavioral problems? How can you be confident that he or she has been properly diagnosed? What do you need to know to get the most benefits from medication treatment, with the least risk? From leading child psychiatrists Timothy Wilens and Paul Hammerness, this book has already empowered many tens of thousands of parents to make tough decisions and become active, informed managers of their children's care. With clarity and compassion, it explains how medications work; their impact on kids' emotions, personality, school performance, and health; the pros and cons of specific treatment options; and much more. In addition to parents, teachers and other school professionals will find this book an ideal reference. New in the Fourth Edition: Extensively revised to include the latest information about medications and their uses, the fourth edition is even more accessible, and includes pullouts, bulleted lists, and "take home points" highlighting critical facts.

Raising a child or teenager with a psychological condition is a "perfect storm" of stress, sadness, and uncertainty. How can you find the best treatments and help your child overcome emotional, behavioral, and academic challenges--while keeping yourself and your family strong? As a parent, you may feel isolated and alone, but the reality is that a lot of families are in the same boat. Ann Douglas knows firsthand just how daunting it can be. In this compassionate and empowering guide, she combines the vital lessons she has learned with vivid stories from other parents and advice from leading psychologists. Several record-keeping forms can be downloaded and printed for repeated use. The book cuts through the often-confusing clinical jargon and speaks from the heart about what matters most: the well-being of your child.

This book provides an evidence-based framework to address the unique challenges faced by children and adolescents with bipolar spectrum disorders. Content is targeted towards psychologists, psychiatrists, and allied professionals. Chapters focus on differential diagnoses, co-morbid disorders, evaluation techniques, and intervention strategies grounded in current research. Case histories are provided to illustrate the complex issues of this specialized population. Multiple resources and links are included for professionals to utilize within their clinical practice.

ADHD and Asperger Syndrome in Smart Kids and Adults offers detailed examples of individuals who have above-average cognitive intelligence, but struggle with executive function impairments of ADHD and significant social-emotional impairments of Asperger syndrome. The book centers around twelve case studies of bright children, teens, and adults treated for both ADHD and Asperger syndrome. Each chapter describes diverse examples of their strengths and their difficulties and explains how these individuals can be helped with appropriate treatment to overcome their ADHD impairments and to improve their ability to understand and interact more effectively with others. Case examples are followed by updated, science-based descriptions of these disorders. Providing science-based information about ADHD and Asperger syndrome in clearly understandable, accessible language, this text is ideal for clinicians, educators, social workers, medical and mental health service providers, and parents of those struggling with such impairments. It also advocates for restoring the diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome to diagnostic manuals of the American Psychiatric Association and World Health Organization.

Appendix VIII: Master Drug Chart -- Resources -- Resources Websites -- Index

Outside the Box: Rethinking ADD/ADHD in Children and Adults -- A Practical Guide identifies as-sumptions about ADD/ADHD that demand revaluation in light of recent research. Building upon a current, science-based foundation, the book describes in practical terms how ADHD can be recog-nized at various ages; how it differs from more typical brain development; how it can significantly impair those affected; and how it can safely, and in most cases effectively, be treated in children and adults. The book is based upon current scientific research but also on the experience and per-spective of the author, a clinician who has devoted more than 35 years to studying this disorder formally and countless hours to engaging with and providing treatment for a diversity of children, teenagers, and adults with ADHD and related problems. The book's audience is the wide variety of clinicians involved in assessing, treating, and/or monitoring the care of children and adults with this disorder (e.g., pediatricians, primary care physicians, psychologists, psychiatrists, neurologists, physician assistants, advanced practice nurses, and clinical social workers) and also educators, disability service providers, human resource specialists, and the adolescents and adults who seek more information about ADHD assessment and treatment for themselves or for family or friends. The book offers practical, accessible information that is grounded in the latest research: * The book is focused not primarily on details of academic arguments but on practical aspects of ADHD -- how it varies from one person to another, how it changes over the life span, how treatments need to be adjusted for different individuals, and how it sometimes gets worse and sometimes gets better. Emphasizing that ADHD is not a simple problem of failing to listen or staying focused on a task, the author examines research demonstrating that ADHD results from impairment of a complex syndrome of brain functions essential for self-management, the executive functions. * While DSM-5 is acknowledged as a valuable source of information about ADHD, this book draws upon a wider range of scientific research and perspectives not yet incorporated into DSM. * Although accessible to the general reader, the text includes citations to sources that can be used to obtain additional, more technical information. Utterly current and scientifically based, Outside the Box: Rethinking ADD/ADHD in Children and Adults -- A Practical Guide challenges old thinking and provides much-needed information and support to clinicians, educators, patients, and families. -- Provided by publisher.

TABLE OF CONTENTS: 1 General Principles. 2 Depression. 3 Bipolar Illness. 4 Anxiety Disorders. 5 Psychotic Disorders. 6 Miscellaneous Disorders. 7 non-Response and "Breakthrough Symptoms" Algorithms. 8 Case Examples. App. A- History and personal Data Questionnaire. App. B- Special Cautions When Taking MAO Inhibitors.

Deciding whether to give your child medication for an emotional or behavioral problem is one of the toughest choices a parent can face. Will medication really help? How long will it be needed? The doctor may say it's perfectly safe--but what about the news stories about overuse and risks? From experienced child psychiatrist Dr. Timothy Wilens, this bestselling guide has already empowered many tens of thousands of parents to become active, informed managers of their children's care. Dr. Wilens explains how medications work; their impact on kids' emotions, personality, school performance, and health; the risks and benefits of widely used antidepressants; and much more. New in the Third Edition: The fully updated third edition details the latest advances in treating specific disorders--with significant new information on bipolar disorder and ADHD--and offers up-to-date answers to parents' frequently asked questions.