Evaluating Medications for Children and Teens
By Jane Rekas, LCSW, Mental Health Specialist We now know that Depression, Anxiety and ADHD are indeed affecting children in epidemic numbers. Up to 2.5 percent of children suffer from depression and 3 to 5 percent of all children have ADHD (as many as 2 million American children or at least one child in every classroom). Approximately 4 out of 100 teenagers get seriously depressed each year. Anxiety disorders affect one in eight children. Research shows that untreated children with anxiety disorders are at higher risk to perform poorly in school, miss out on important social experiences, and engage in substance abuse. Anxiety disorders also often co-occur with other disorders such as depression, eating disorders, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Successful treatment of depression, anxiety or ADHD requires a combination of behavioral and family therapy and proper medication. But you are probably well aware that there has been a backlash against medicating young c
