Straight Talk about Psychiatric Medications for Kids, Third Edition [Paperback]

Timothy E. Wilens MD (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2, 2008 | ISBN-10: 1593858426 | ISBN-13: 978-1593858421 | Edition: Third Edition

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.

(20100105)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The title says it all. Dr. Wilens arms parents with the knowledge they need to understand the risks, benefits, and role of psychiatric medications for children, and enables them to make informed decisions. He is wonderfully successful in combining his expertise and clinical experience into a practical resource for parents."--Christopher J. Kratochvil, MD, Department of Psychiatry, University of Nebraska Medical Center

 

"Parents considering psychiatric medication treatment for their son or daughter often face a bewildering array of conflicting information--and misinformation--from family, friends, and media. Dr. Wilens, a top-notch psychopharmacologist, provides detailed, clearly understandable, research-based guidance on the pros and cons of various treatment options. This book is a valuable resource for clinicians and parents."--Thomas E. Brown, PhD, Associate Director, Clinic for Attention and Related Disorders, Yale University School of Medicine

"The book is written at a level that is understandable and respectful to parents....One of the definitive books on pediatric psychopharmacology. It is an additional bonus that it is written specifically for parents....Highly recommended for clinicians and parents alike."--Metapsychology Online Reviews

(Metapsychology Online Reviews )

"A valuable asset for school social workers. It provides well-organized, comprehensive information about the use of medications....School social workers can easily use it to assist parents in making decisions about the use of medication for their children....You can''t ask for much more from this book. It covers so many questions about children and psychiatric disorders and the use of medication that parents may ask or think about after they''ve left the doctors office....The use of definitions, tables, and charts helps make it accessible."--School Social Work Journal

(School Social Work Journal )

About the Author

Timothy E. Wilens, MD, Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, specializes in pediatric and adult psychopharmacology in his clinical work at Massachusetts General Hospital, where he is currently Director of Adolescent Substance Abuse Services. Board certified in child, adolescent, adult, and addiction psychiatry, Dr. Wilens is a leading researcher and publishes widely on child and adolescent psychiatric issues.

Product Details

• Paperback: 325 pages
• Publisher: The Guilford Press; Third Edition edition (September 2, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1593858426
• ISBN-13: 978-1593858421
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #63,734 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars I wish I would have read the disclosure BEFORE buying this!, September 26, 2009

By 

bedrestmom (Minnesota) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Straight Talk about Psychiatric Medications for Kids, Third Edition (Paperback)

I want every person contemplating the purchase of this book to use the "search inside" tool, and click on the copyright page.

On that page you will see a box that says "Full Disclosure." PLEASE, please read it.

Dr. Wilens receives grant support from five different drug companies. In addition, he is a paid presenter for three different drug companies, and a consultant for six different drug companies.

While the information contained in this book is exhaustive, as a parent of two children with a multitude of medical and psychological issues, I find it difficult to trust his opinions and "straight talk" when I know that he is making tens of thousands of dollars a year from these drug companies.

Would he ever discourage against a particular drug when he is making money from the maker of said drug? I do not know the answer, but that bit of doubt makes me wonder.

Fortunately, in my state, we are able to search online and discover which psychiatrists take money from drug companies, and which do not. Again, as a parent, am I more likely to trust the psychiatric care of my children to the doctor who takes no money from drug companies, or the doctor who received over $135,000.00 last year as a "consultant" to four different companies?

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Indispensable Book, January 30, 2010

By 

TP-S (Maine) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Straight Talk about Psychiatric Medications for Kids, Third Edition (Paperback)

I have used this book as a critical resource for years, I purchased the third edition soon after it was available. If you have a child who is being placed on medication or if you are even thinking about it, you need this book. It is an indispensable tool for parents of children with any "psychiatric" issues, including ADHD and anxiety and more extreme conditions. Must have book in your arsenal!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST HAVE for parents considering or using meds to treat children, December 16, 2008

By 

Xander's Mom (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Straight Talk about Psychiatric Medications for Kids, Third Edition (Paperback)

Over the last 4 years, this book has become a bible for me. We have struggled to find the right combination of medications for my ADHD, Anxious, Moody, Depressed 9 year old. When you think you have it right, they grow and need new doses or the meds stop having the same results and you have to start over again. Very objective clear information with side effects and risks listed. Don't go to the Psychiatrist or Pediatrician without it!