Are SSRIs safe for childhood depression?
The use of these antidepressants in children has exploded in the past decade. So has the controversy about increased suicide rates in patients taking them.
Adolescent Medicine
OTC lotion effective on acne
Benzoyl peroxide combats acne just as well as, if not better than, antibiotics.
Disinfecting fungus-contaminated shoes
Is spraying with diluted bleach solution or placing the shoes in moth balls effective?
Overattentive to Attention Deficit?
Every time I turn around, it seems someone else is being diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Are too many…
“Sometimes tragedies just happen”
When a 16-year-old dies after an auto accident, his distraught parents look for someone to blame.
Psychiatric screening for adolescents
As is common in many locales, there is a significant wait to see a pediatric psychiatrist in my area. What are the recommendations for starting patients on antidepressants or atypical agents? We conduct basic screening (Patient Health Questionnaire [PHQ] and Mood Disorder Questionnaire), but are there other tools that are more useful for adolescents?—Deanna Bridge,…
Dealing with teenagers who abuse steroids
Steroids are addictive and can cause cardiovascular and hepatic damage. Two experts tell what to do when you suspect an adolescent patient may be using them.
