Medications can be an effective part of the treatment for children’s mental illnesses, but they should not be used alone. Medications should be one part of a comprehensive treatment plan with ongoing medical assessment and, in most cases, psychotherapy.
Medications are used when the severity of the symptoms are beyond what can be treated with psychotherapy alone. When prescribed appropriately and taken as prescribed, medication may reduce or eliminate troubling symptoms and improve the daily functioning of children with mental illnesses.
Different categories of medication may be prescribed to your child depending on their situation. In each of the different categories, examples of specific medications are listed. Each list includes medication names, with brand names listed in parentheses.
Stimulant and non-stimulant medications may be helpful as part of the treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
These medications may be helpful in the treatment of severe anxiety. There are several types of anti-anxiety medications: benzodiazepines, antihistamines, and atypical anti-anxiety medication.
These medications may be helpful in the treatment of depression, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). There are several types of anti-depressant medications, including serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs) (also known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs), tricyclic anti- depressants (TCAs), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), and atypical anti-depressants.
These medications can be helpful in controlling psychotic symptoms (delusions, hallucinations) or disorganized thinking. These medications may also help with tic disorders. They are occasionally used to treat severe anxiety and may help in reducing very aggressive behavior.
There are several types of anti-psychotic medications: first generation and second generation (also known as atypical or novel).
These medications may be helpful in treating bipolar disorder, aggressive behavior, and impulse control disorders.
A variety of medications may be used for a short period to help with sleep problems.
Other medications are also being used to treat a variety of symptoms. For example: clonidine (Catapres) may be used to treat the severe impulsiveness in some children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and guanfacine (Tenex) for “flashbacks” in children with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Medication treatment requires a mental healthcare provider who is highly experienced and knowledgeable in this area.
Medications should be prescribed by a psychiatrist, preferably by a child and adolescent psychiatrist, who is trained to evaluate children and adolescents for the necessity of medications and to monitor the medication effectiveness and safety
over time. Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) trained in child and adolescent psychiatry can also provide medications.
Although medications can be extremely helpful, they can have harmful effects when prescribed by mental healthcare providers who are not knowledgeable or experienced in this area of treatment.
