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Medications for mental illnesses play an important role in helping people to get well and stay well. Knowledge about the best use of medications to treat adolescents with mental symptoms and illnesses is continuously growing.
For some people medications are used for a short time to help them get through a difficult period in their lives. For other people medications are used long-term as an important part of helping them to stay well. In either situation, sharing information about medications (e.g. how the medication works, how long it takes to work, if it helps with only some versus all symptoms, if it can affect other medications, etc.) is important to the quality of care provided.
The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry developed Facts for Families to provide concise and up-to-date information on issues that affect children, teenagers, and their families. Here are the fact sheets that relate to medications.
Psychiatric Medication for Children and Adolescents
PART 1: How Medications are Used
PART 2: Types of Medications
PART 3: Questions to Ask
Developed by the Sun Life Financial Chair in Adolescent Mental Health, this guide provides patients with a comprehensive understanding of the scientific basis for medical treatments (biological, psychological, social) and how to communicate with your healthcare provider when discussing medication and other treatment options.
DOWNLOAD THE EBM GUIDE
DOWNLOAD THE EBM BROCHURE FOR YOUTH
The American Psychiatric Association and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry have developed two medication guides to help patients, families, and physicians make informed decisions about obtaining and administering the most appropriate care for a child with ADHD or depression.
MEDICATION GUIDE FOR TREATING ADHD
MEDICAITON GUIDE FOR TREATING DEPRESSION
