Sometimes complex motor tics and OCD compulsions can be difficult to differentiate, since both are related to urges to perform some type of activity or movement.

The overwhelming prevalence of autism and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) has led to almost countless interventions for children and adolescents with these diagnoses. But do we really have scientific proof that any of them work?

It has been eight years since child psychiatry first began to deal with controversy about SSRIs and their potential to prompt suicidal behavior in youth.

An individual’s vulnerability to suicide is strongly influenced by genetic susceptibility to mental health problems and, notably, to mood disorders, substance abuse, anxiety disorders and antisocial and offending behaviors.

Advocates tout restricted diets for the treatment of everything from migraines to autism.

Childhood sleep problems are common, and most practitioners wind up prescribing or recommending something for sleep for a significant portion of their patients.

Insomnia and sleep disturbance are common symptoms of depression in adults, but this is not always the case in adolescents. In fact, a group of researchers at the University of Pittsburgh who studied insomnia in depressed teens found that, compared to adults, insomnia in adolescents is different—very different.

This table can help you determine the normal sleep requirements of patients of all ages, birth through 18.

Sleep is something that really affects all walks of life and all stages of a child’s development.

The Treatment for Adolescents With Depression Study (TADS) taught us that fluoxetine (Prozac) plus cognitive behavioral therapy was superior to medication alone or placebo for short-term recovery from major depressive disorder (MDD). But TADS didn’t tell us anything about long-term recovery.