Service delivery in child psychiatry: provider shortage isn't the only problem.

Although the shortage of pediatric mental health practitioners in the United States is often cited as the major stumbling block to good care, several deficiencies and problems related to service delivery may be just as great a threat to the delivery of child and adolescent psychological and psychiatric clinical care. Problems and suggestions for change related to research, training, insurance, hospitalization, practitioner collaboration and role definition are discussed.

Targeting the dopamine system in the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a highly heritable condition that affects a significant number of children and adults worldwide. During the past 30 years, the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD has relied on clinical assessment and empirical experience with stimulant medications. More recently, advances in family genetic studies, molecular genetic studies, preclinical research, radiographic imaging techniques and neuropsychological evaluation have significantly enhanced our understanding of the neurobiology of ADHD.

Psychopharmacologic treatment of aggressive preschoolers: a chart review.

Very young children with severe aggression are a growing focus of care in child psychiatry. Notwithstanding diagnostic uncertainties in this age group, medication, not usually considered a first-line intervention, is becoming a treatment option for a growing number of clinicians in spite of a dearth of research in this area. This chart review assessed the patient characteristics, diagnoses and treatment responses of aggressive preschoolers who were treated in a university child psychiatry outpatient clinic from 2001-2004.

The effect of long-term antipsychotic treatment on prolactin.

Objective: This naturalistic, cross-sectional study was designed to assess the risk of prolactin level elevation and associated side effects in youths taking long-term atypical antipsychotic medication.

Method: Subjects were enrolled from outpatient child psychiatric treatment settings in upstate New York who were taking risperidone, olanzapine, or quetiapine for at least 6 months. Demographic data, medication history, and side effects were elicited at the initial interview.

Diagnostic profiles in outpatient child psychiatry.

Outpatient child psychiatrists appear to be treating a broadening array of complex, highly comorbid, and difficult-to-treat youths. In this study, designed to evaluate the current demographic and diagnostic profile of outpatient child psychiatric patients 1,292 outpatient records from 8 treatment settings were reviewed. Patient age, race, gender, and diagnoses were recorded and analyzed.

How should psychiatrists dress?--a survey.

Personal attire is an important part of being a professional. This survey is an attempt to determine the patient's and psychiatrists view point about how a psychiatrist should dress to work. A human subjects research board approved survey of seven questions was offered to patients and a similar survey of nine questions was offered to psychiatrists.

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in girls: epidemiology and management.

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in girls is a topic of growing research and clinical interest. For many years, girls with ADHD have been ignored and overshadowed by hyperkinetic and impulsive boys, but they are now attracting interest in an effort to understand the similarities and differences in the prevalence, symptoms, familial risk, comorbidities and treatment of ADHD in the two sexes. A review of past and current literature finds that the symptoms of ADHD are not sex specific, but that identification of girls with ADHD is hampered by parental and teacher bias, and confusion.

Oxcarbazepine in the treatment of child psychiatric disorders: a retrospective chart review.

Though not considered a first-line treatment, oxcarbazepine has become an option in the expanding effort to ameliorate severely dysregulated mood and behavioral symptoms in youth. Like most pharmaceuticals in child and adolescent psychiatry, oxcarbazepine is not U.S.

Current prescribing patterns in outpatient child and adolescent psychiatric practice in central New York.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate current prescribing patterns of outpatient child psychiatrists in central New York.

Methods: Data were drawn from all active files of 1- to 18-year-olds (n = 1292) at eight outpatient treatment locations in central New York on one day in 2002. Age, race, gender, diagnoses, current medications, and doses were recorded.

Intramuscular ziprasidone in youth: a retrospective chart review.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the tolerability and effectiveness of intramuscular ziprasidone in inpatient children and adolescents.

Method: A retrospective chart review was conducted of child and adolescent inpatients at a private psychiatric hospital in central New York between January 1, 2003 and August 30, 2003. Subjects who had received intramuscular ziprasidone were identified, and their age, gender, and dosage were recorded.

Aripiprazole in an adult with Asperger disorder.

Objective: To report a case of aripiprazole-responsive adult Asperger disorder.

Case Summary: A 34-year-old white man with lifelong, disabling Asperger disorder and a 20-year history of failed psychotherapeutic and pharmacologic interventions was prescribed aripiprazole, with dramatic symptomatic improvement.

Discussion: Multiple prior pharmacologic efforts over several years aimed predominantly at altering serotonin and dopamine neurotransmission resulted in treatment failure due to intolerable adverse effects, exacerbation of underlying symptoms, or nonresponse.