Pediatric Insomnia.

Insomnia is the most common sleep disorder among all ages; unfortunately, however, child and adolescent insomnia is infrequently addressed. Given the importance of adequate sleep for proper brain development, pediatric populations are particularly vulnerable to the negative effects of insomnia. Therefore, proper clinical assessment and treatment of pediatric insomnia is crucial.

Myths and Evidence Regarding Melatonin Supplementation for Occasional Sleeplessness in the Pediatric Population.

Occasional sleeplessness in children is common, with as many as 25% of all healthy children experiencing a problem sleeping at some point over the course of their childhood. Occasional sleeplessness is poorly understood, has a significant impact on quality of life in children and their families, and is often challenging to manage. There is substantial evidence supporting the safe and effective use of the widely available dietary supplement melatonin for children with chronic conditions.

Pediatric Insomnia.

Insomnia is the most common sleep disorder among all ages; unfortunately, however, child and adolescent insomnia is infrequently addressed. Given the importance of adequate sleep for proper brain development, pediatric populations are particularly vulnerable to the negative effects of insomnia. Therefore, proper clinical assessment and treatment of pediatric insomnia is crucial.

Mental Health Promotion and Disease Prevention: It's About Time.

Over the past decade, our field has observed rapidly rising rates of mental illness in children and adolescents. The numbers are sobering. Nearly 50% of teens 13 to 18 years of age meet DSM criteria for at least 1 disorder and 27.

Exploring Interventions for Sleep Disorders in Adolescent Cannabis Users.

This review summarizes the available literature on the intersection of adolescent cannabis use and sleep disturbances, along with interventions for adolescent cannabis users who suffer sleep impairments. Adolescents are susceptible to various sleep disorders, which are often exacerbated by the use of substances such as cannabis. The relationship between cannabis and sleep is bidirectional.

Impact of a sleep course on sleep, mood and anxiety symptoms in college students: A pilot study.

Objective: To examine the impact of a sleep course on sleep-related behaviors, mood, and anxiety in college students.

Participants: Participants were 145 students enrolled in either the sleep course (n = 70) or a psychology course (n = 75); data were collected in September 2014, November 2014, and February 2015.

Methods: Sleep characteristics and symptoms of depression and anxiety were assessed using validated questionnaires and sleep logs.

Almost Psychiatry: The Impact of Teaching Child and Adolescent Mental Health Studies to Undergraduate College Students.

Objective: The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Studies (CAMS) program is housed in a Liberal Arts undergraduate college of a large research university. Psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, and social workers at the university's medical center teach the courses. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the extent to which CAMS encourages graduates of the program to pursue a career in child and adolescent mental health (CAMH).

Insomnia: the Sleeping Giant of Pediatric Public Health.

Insomnia among children and adolescents is ubiquitous and takes a great toll on youth and their families, impacting academic achievement, mood, social functioning, and a variety of developmental outcomes. Unfortunately, however, pediatric insomnia most often remains unidentified and untreated. When treatment is provided, it is most often in the form of medications, which are not FDA approved for that indication in children and adolescents.

Psychiatry's Next Generation: Teaching College Students About Mental Health.

Objective: The authors describe an integrated area of study for undergraduate college students that targets an increase in knowledge of mental health issues in children, adolescents, and emerging adults; encourages mental health service utilization on college campuses; and exposes young minds to the possibilities of working with children and adolescents in the mental health field.

Methods: An overview of the program is provided, including the resources required to oversee and manage the program, student requirements, a description of the role that clinicians and researchers play as the program faculty, and an explanation of the tuition model.

Results: The program currently includes 40 courses with an annual enrollment of over 3000 students, resulting in departmental revenues that currently exceed $11 million per year.

Video-teleconferencing with medical students to improve exposure to child and adolescent psychiatry.

Objective: The chronic workforce shortage in child and adolescent psychiatry (CAP) remains a germane issue that has been difficult to deal with effectively. Collaboration between medical schools without sufficient CAP resources and those with enough to share may help improve interest in the field.

Method: This lecture series piloted a collaborative effort between CAP residents from a Midwest academic center and student-led interest groups from two osteopathic medical schools.

Parasomnias and movement disorders in children and adolescents.

Childhood parasomnias and movement disorders arise from a variety of etiologic factors. For some children, psychopathology plays a causal role in sleep disorders; in other cases, recurrent parasomnia episodes induce psychopathology. Current research reveals complex interconnections between sleep and mental health.

The use of herbal medications and dietary supplements by people with mental illness.

This study examined the relationship between herbal medication and dietary supplement (HMDS) use and mental health characteristics. Data are drawn from a national household survey of the United States' civilian, non-institutionalized population (N = 9,585). Psychiatric medication and HMDS use, psychiatric diagnoses and treatment needs, utilization and satisfaction were assessed.

The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Studies (CAMS) Minor at New York University.

Objective: The authors describe the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Studies (CAMS) undergraduate college minor at New York University.

Methods: The authors detail the development, structure, and operation of the CAMS minor. They describe the importance of identifying program goals, building coalitions, creating an advisory board, selecting teaching materials and instructors, and establishing a viable financial model.

Child and adolescent mental health policy worldwide: an update.

Few countries worldwide maintain policies specifically designed to address the mental health needs of children and adolescents. Yet policies are essential to guide the development of systems of care, training programmes for practitioners, and research endeavours. Without policy, there is no clear pathway for programme development, no specific commitment from government, no expression of governance, no guide to support funding, and no clarification of who exactly is responsible for providing services to children and adolescents.

Atomoxetine for the treatment of pediatric nocturnal enuresis.

Current treatments for pediatric nocturnal enuresis rely upon the use of behavioral interventions, such as enuresis alarms, and pharmacological interventions, such as antidiuretic hormone analogs, tricyclic antidepressants, and anticholinergics. However, a considerable number of patients do not respond fully to any of these interventions, in spite of optimal behavioral management and medication dosing. This report describes 4 children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) comorbid with nocturnal enuresis.

The Global Absence of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Policy.

Background:   Few policies designed specifically to support child and adolescent mental health exist worldwide. The absence of policy is a barrier to the development of coherent systems of mental healthcare for children and adolescents.

Method:   This study collected data on existing policies from international databases, WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and in consultation with experts in child and adolescent psychiatry from around the world.