Synopsis
This brief update on current thinking in child and adolescent psychiatry describes both general and specific approaches to the psychiatric evaluation of children. The authors discuss the importance of using multiple informants to gain a full description of children seen in psychiatric settings and emphasize how information from parents is especially critical to understanding a child's emotional problems. In this chapter, the authors review how to conduct a child interview. In Chapter 3, the authors look at the major Axis 1 disorders that are usually first evident in infancy, childhood and adolescence. They focus on disruptive behaviour disorders that are often brought to the attention of the family or psychiatrist by school officials: attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, conduct disorder and oppositional defiant disorder. In Chapter 4, Drs Dulcan and Popper address other Axis 1 disorders that are frequently seen in children and adolescents, including anxiety disorders, eating disorders, gender disorders, Tourette's disorder and other tic disorders, elimination disorders, stuttering, elective mutism, identity disorder and reactive attachment disorder. Chapter 5 focuses on selected adult disorders that may begin in childhood or adolescence. Chapter 6 covers developmental disorders; mental retardation, pervasive developmental disorders and specific developmental disorders. Chapter 7 addresses real-life issues that frequently confront pediatricians and psychiatrists. Drs Dulcan and Popper discuss common child psychiatric emergencies and the psychiatrist's role in treating children or families who experience stressors. Discussed here are suicide, child maltreatment and out-of-control behaviour. This chapter also addresses family transitions (divorce, death of a family member, adoption), adolescent pregnancy, obesity, physically ill children and children of physically or psychiatrically ill parents. Chapters 8 and 9 suggest practical and clinically relevant psychopharmacologic and psychosocial treatments. The authors discuss the major psychotropic medications routinely prescribed for children and emphasize special considerations to follow in using these agents in young persons. The book concludes with a discussion about the psychosocial treatments that are of benefit to children and their families: individual psychotherapy, parents counselling, behaviour therapy, problem-solving therapy, family therapy, group therapy, hospital and residential treatment, day treatment and adjunctive treatments. Appendixes suggest additional reading for professionals and books that may be helpful for parents.
Review
"Originally printed in 1991, the guide is now in its third edition. Following the accelerated pace of new research in child and adolescent psychiatry, the contents have been updated, and now relevant data have been incorporated into the text. Every effort has been made to include information that is as comprehensive as possible while maintaining the simplicity and brevity intended by the design of the book."-- "Ayesha Mian, M.D. and Cynthia W. Santos, M.D., Journal of Clinical Psychiatry", "June 2005"
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