Helping Parents and Teachers Understand Medications for Behavioral and Emotional Problems: A Resource Book of Medication Information Handouts

A dozen experts in child and adolescent psychiatry contributed to this new and
fully updated fourth edition of Helping Parents and Teachers Understand
Medications for Behavioral and Emotional Problems, ensuring that it remains the
most trusted resource for educating parents and teachers about psychotropics
prescribed for children and adolescents. The book is arranged alphabetically,
and each medication has its own information sheet that can be photocopied or
downloaded and printed by psychiatrists, pediatricians, and neurologists for
distribution to parents and teachers.

A useful resource for school staff
and library patrons, the information sheets will also be helpful to
nonprescribing mental health professionals talking with families about possible
referral for medication.

The compendium has been designed for maximum
utility and accessibility.

Each information sheet includes a section
with general information applicable to all medications and very specific
sections that include a description of the medication and why it is used,
monitoring of the medication, side effects, interactions with other medications
and with food, and additional information that is relevant to how the medication
can best help and be used safely. The book is written in a straightforward,
understandable style that is accessible and nonintimidating to the lay public.
The number of medications covered has been expanded to reflect new drugs and
older drugs recently approved for children and adolescents, such as vilazodone
(Viibryd), asenapine (Saphris), and ramelteon (Rozerem). Explanations of new
concerns about potential side effects and FDA black box warnings for
antidepressants and stimulants are included. The "Information on the Internet"
section offers a list of vetted medical and professional organizations where the
reader can find additional information about child and adolescent mental health
and treatment, and the book also includes robust lists of both published
resources for parents and teachers and selected additional reading for health
and mental health professionals. Appendices cover medicines with FDA indication
for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); medicines typically used
for anxiety, depression, psychosis, mood stabilizing, and aggression; and an
index of medicines by brand name.

No other volume offers up-to-the-minute
information on psychotropic medications for youth in such an easy-to-use format.
Comprehensive and authoritative, Helping Parents and Teachers Understand
Medications for Behavioral and Emotional Problems will prove indispensable to
clinicians in helping to foster understanding among parents and educators.