Article Summary 11/30/06 Childrens' Behav. & Mental Health Problems

Kathleen M.

Article Presentation (11/30/06)

Psychopharmacology

Science Daily:

Critical Gaps Cited in Evidence for how Best to Treat Children’s Behavioral and Mental Health Problems


According to a report released by the APA, children with mental health issues are being treated with medication despite limited knowledge regarding the safety and efficacy of this form or treatment. The report cites a few reasons for this, such as cuts in Medicaid funding, poor reimbursement for mental health services, an inadequate number of therapists trained in working with children, and lack of scientific knowledge regarding effective treatments for particular diagnoses and patient populations.

In fact, it appears that medication use with children is on the rise. Reportedly, “research published earlier this year showed a five-fold increase in the use of antipsychotic drugs to treat behavioral and emotional problems in children and adolescents from 1993-2002”. Unfortunately, this has occurred despite the fact that many psychosocial treatments have been found to be safer and more effective in addressing mental health issues in children.

This report makes recommendations for further research in this area, including conducting longitudinal studies of treatment efficacy for specific disorders in children. These studies should taking into consideration factors such as age, gender, race, ethnicity and the existence of comorbid disorders. It is also recommended that more research be done regarding optimal doses of medication in children, appropriate combinations of medications, optimal sequencing of treatment interventions, as well as the role of families, schools, and other care providers in the delivery of mental health services. Also, information regarding the efficacy and side effects of these potential interventions should be made readily available to consumers.

Alternative forms of treatment, sometimes in conjunction with pharmaceutical interventions, are also suggested for various disorders. For example, in treating ADHD, this report suggests behavioral treatments as the first course of action, coupled with medication when necessary (in fact, lower doses of medication may be effective when used in combination with behavioral therapies). CBT (cognitive-behavioral therapy) is cited as the most effective form of treatment in targeting the symptoms of OCD as well as anxiety disorders in children, with medication being added to treatment only when necessary. Bipolar disorder as well as Schizophrenia Spectrum disorders may respond to a combination of psychosocial, psychoeducational, and psychopharmalogical treatments; however, more research needs to be done on the short- and long-term effects of medication interventions for these disorders.

The use of medication in the treatment of childhood mental health issues warrants further research, and more information (including effective alternative interventions) should be readily available to parents and care providers. It is also imperative that clinicians be adequately trained in a variety of effective behavioral, psychosocial, cognitive and psychoeducational interventions that may be used to target common childhood disorders.