Straight Talk about Psychiatric Medications for Kids, Revised Edition (Paperback)

~ Timothy E. Wilens MD (Author) "It is never easy to face the fact that your child may need help for a mental, emotional, or behavioral problem..." (more)
Key Phrases: children with bipolar disorder, psychopharmacological evaluation, children with depression, American Academy of Pediatrics (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This book gives parents the facts they need to help them with one of the most anxiety-provoking decisions they may face: 'Should medication be used to help my child, and what are the risks and the benefits?' Parents need wonder no longer. The best answers science has at its disposal are right here."/m-/Russell A. Barkley, PhD, author of Taking Charge of ADHD

"...demystifies the complex process by which doctors diagnose and treat AD/HD and other common psychiatric and behavioral disorders of childhood, including anxiety, depression, and autism."--Additude

"This is a good, functional book for parents, teachers, and clinicians....The book may look small, but it does emphasize all the important issues in the use of psychotropic medication in children and adolescents....3 Stars"--Doody's Electronic Journal

"...presents plain-terms need-to-know facts for parents trying to figure out which (if any) medication is the right choice for a growing child, and/or the best alternatives available....strongly recommended as preparatory reading to better acquaint oneself with the options before discussing matters of medication with the family doctor."--Wisconsin Bookwatch

"A godsend for parents looking for answers. Wilens takes the mystery out of medication."--Time

"An informative guidebook....The author's straight talk about medications will help parents become 'informed collaborators' in their child's psychiatric care."--Publishers Weekly

"Filled with helpful tables and charts, definitions, commonly asked questions, and sources for further information and support."--Library Journal

"Excellent....This book is comprehensive in scope and friendly in presentation."--Pediatric Rehabilitation

“Interesting and useful….Although it is directed to parents, it will help experienced practitioners to review their own attitudes and strategies when advising parents about the possible use of medication for their children. It will help residents and newly graduated child psychiatrists understand the intricacies and obstacles that can impede a seemingly straightforward and evidence-based recommendation for medication.”--Journal of the Canadian Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Product Description

Newly revised and expanded, this essential guide provides parents with the up-to-date information they need to fully understand what their child's doctor is recommending and what their options are. Packed with frequently asked questions, examples, and charts, the book explains which medications are prescribed for kids and why; their effects on health, emotions, and school performance; what parents can do to maximize their benefits; and when to consider other treatments instead.

Revised Edition Coverage Includes:
* New ways of dealing with side effects and protecting kids' safety
* Advances in treating specific disorders
* New and longer-acting medications that make administration easier
* Emerging research on long-term benefits and risks
* Tips for saving money on prescriptions
* Legislative and health care changes that affect children's treatment

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 310 pages
• Publisher: The Guilford Press; Revised edition (June 4, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1572309458
• ISBN-13: 978-1572309456
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #652,355 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A useful book for parents and professionals, December 31, 2004

By	Carol Watkins "Psychiatrist" (Baltimore, MD United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The book is organized by type of disorder (such as AD/HD, depression or anxiety) and by type of medication. This is good because some people want to know about a specific class of medications, while others want an overview of medication strategies for a particular disorder.

The new edition covers some of the newer medications such as Strattera. It discusses some of the recent cautions about the use of antidepressants in children but, due to the publication date does not have the fall 2004 FDA warnings.

I particularly liked the suggestions on communication between parent and psychiatrist. This should help parents formulate their questions and feel comfortable asking them. In this age of managed care, parents need to be educated advocates for their children. This book can give parents the tools they need to be assertive when they talk to their child's psychiatrist.

This book is also an excellent overview for medical residents and non-medical mental health professionals. I often suggest that psychiatrists in training read this book.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Presents plain-terms need-to-know facts for parents , April 11, 2005

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

Written by a specialist in pediatric and adult psychopharmacology, Straight Talk About Psychiatric Medications For Kids is now in a newly revised edition with information on latest advances in treating specific disorders, tips on saving money on perscriptions, recent changes in legislative and health care affecting children's treatment, and more. Straight Talk About Psychiatric Medications For Kids presents plain-terms need-to-know facts for parents trying to figure out the which (if any) medication is the right choice for a growing child, and/or the best alternatives available. Covering disorders ranging from ADD to mood and anxiety disorders to schizophrenia and much more, Straight Talk About Psychiatric Medications For Kids cannot replace the diagnosis and advice of a pediatrician but is strongly recommended as prepatory reading to better acquaint oneself with the options before discussing matters of medication with the family doctor.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Parent or Doctor, You Should Own This!, August 25, 2006

By	K. E. Brown (Murfreesboro, TN USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have two children. My son has Childhood Onset Bipolar Disorder and ADD. My daughter has COBP, ADD and Anxiety Disorder. Having both the previous edition and this edition on my bookshelf has made my life so much easier in helping me and my children's psychologist manage my children's medication. I have felt so much better when I can come home from an office visit and look up medication and see all the potential side effects even though I also look at the pharmacutical information which comes with the medication, this book makes it much easier to understand for anyone.

The book is well laid out. Part I deals with how to find out what is wrong with your child and get a diagnosis and treatment. Part II goes through the various common disorders, explaining them with examples, various treatments that may be used and volcabulary that may be encountered. Part III then handles the psychiatric medications themselves. Again, volcabulary is given; there are tables telling you generic names, brand names and what the sizes and types of the meds are (tablets, capsules etc) and he also gives more examples and answers questions about the medication that real parents may have about that particular type of medication. Every question I had in every area was answered except one or two and they involved interaction... which, of course, I brought up with my children's psychologist. The last section is an appendix which includes another list of the medications all together; an example of a completed medication log (very helpful!); a blank medication log (which I used to just make my own on my graphic program on my computer); a great list of resources broken up by type (and including the UK and Australia); an extensive bibliography (again general and then broken up by disorder) and one of the most extensive indexes I've ever seen (and I'm a connoisseur of indexes).

I highly recommend this book for any parent or caretaker of a child with any disorder which requires medication. I also recommend that anyone who dispenses medication keep a copy in their office so that they may recommend it to their clients. Trust me, you will not be steering them wrong. Along with <u>The Bipolar Child</u> this is the primary book in my bookcase for dealing with my children.