“My child hasn’t shown improvement since starting this medication over a month ago! Can we still expect it to work?” We’ve all been asked this difficult question, often by desperate parents—especially those of children taking antipsychotics. Now a recent study provides initial data to answer it.

Sleep complaints are common in children with ADHD, whether they are caused by the disorder itself, the treatments for it, or both. Despite this fact, there are limited studies on treatments for insomnia and other sleep problems in children and adolescents with ADHD.

After reading these articles, you should be able to…

The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), such as nutritional supplements, is common in children with ADHD, despite limited evidence for its effectiveness. Many consumers use these treatments, often without telling their physicians.

The most studied psychiatric medication for children, and arguably the most broad-spectrum medication available, is placebo. It has proven itself repeatedly to be as good or better than a number of FDA-approved medications that are effective in adults.

In recent years the autism diet has increased in popularity. But does it work? Dr. Jennifer Harrison Elder explains the evidence.

Current diagnostic criteria for ADHD involves documentation of impairment in more than one setting. Since most kids receive an ADHD diagnosis during their school years, we greatly depend on teachers to provide us with information on behavior and symptoms.

By now most of us know how PTSD looks in DSM-5. Among a number of changes is the removal of criterion A2, which required a response to an event to include “intense fear, helplessness, or horror.” Criterion A1—exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence—was slightly edited, but remains a diagnostic requirement for the disorder.

Evidence is emerging that probiotics, those living organisms found in yogurt and other fermented foods, can do more than improve digestive health. Preliminary research has found that some of these bacteria may also have antidepressant or anxiolytic effects.

A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that more than two out of every five middle and high school students who smoke either use flavored little cigars or flavored cigarettes.