FFFPsychiatric Medication For Children And Adolescents Part I - How Medications Are Used

No. 21; Updated June 2026

Medication can be an effective part of the treatment for several psychiatric disorders of childhood and adolescence. A doctor's recommendation to use medication often raises many concerns and questions in both the parents and the youngster. The physician who recommends medication should have experience treating psychiatric illnesses in children and adolescents. He or she should fully explain the reasons for recommending medication, what benefits the medication is expected to provide, how long the medication will be taken, as well as possible adverse effects and other treatment alternatives.

Psychiatric medication should not be used alone. The use of medication should be based on a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation and be one part of a multi-faceted treatment plan.

Before recommending any medication, the child and adolescent psychiatrist interviews the youngster and makes a thorough diagnostic evaluation. In some cases, the evaluation may include a physical exam, teacher and/or parent report, psychological testing, laboratory tests, other medical tests such as an electrocardiogram (EKG), and consultation with other medical specialists.

Psychiatric medication should be used as part of a comprehensive plan of treatment, with ongoing medical assessment and, in most cases, individual and/or family psychotherapy. When prescribed appropriately by a child and adolescent psychiatrist or prescriber trained in children's mental health, and taken as prescribed, medication may reduce or eliminate troubling symptoms and improve the daily functioning of children and adolescents with psychiatric disorders. Medications which have beneficial effects may also have side effects, ranging from mildly annoying to very serious. Because each youngster is different and may respond differently to medication, close contact with the treating physician is recommended. Do not stop or change a medication without speaking to your child's doctor.

Medication may be prescribed for psychiatric symptoms and disorders, including, but not limited to:

  1. Anxiety (phobias, separation or social fears, or generalized anxiety)-if it causes great distress or keeps the youngster from normal daily activities.
  2. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)-marked by a short attention span, trouble concentrating, and restlessness. The child is easily upset and impulsive, often has problems getting along with family and friends, and usually has difficulty with school assignments and behavior.
  3. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)-recurring obsessions (troublesome and intrusive thoughts) and/or compulsions (repetitive behaviors or rituals such as handwashing, counting, or checking to see if doors are locked) that cause distress or interfere with daily functioning.
  4. Depression-excessive, lasting feelings of sadness, helplessness, hopelessness, low self-esteem, guilt, inability to feel pleasure, changes in sleeping and eating habits, and possibly thoughts of self-harm.
  5. Eating disorder-either self-starvation (anorexia nervosa), excessive eating paired with vomiting (bulimia), or a combination of the two.
  6. Bipolar (manic-depressive) disorder-periods of depression alternating with manic periods, which may include irritability, "high" or happy mood, excessive energy, behavior problems, staying up late at night, and grand plans.
  7. Psychosis-symptoms include fixed irrational beliefs, paranoia, hallucinations (seeing things or hearing sounds that don't exist), social withdrawal, strange behavior, and deterioration of personal habits. Psychosis may be seen in severe depression, schizoaffective disorder, or schizophrenia.
  8. Post-traumatic stress disorder – symptoms can include avoidance, hypervigilance, sleep problems, negative mood or thoughts, fears, intrusive thoughts, triggering, and behavioral regression.
  9. Autism spectrum disorders-characterized by severe deficits in social interactions, language, and/or thinking or ability to learn, starting in early childhood.
  10. Severe aggression-which may include hitting, kicking, or biting, property damage, or prolonged self-abuse, such as headbanging or cutting.
  11. Sleep problems-symptoms can include difficulty falling asleep, nighttime awakening, nightmares, fear of sleeping alone, or nighttime anxiety.

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The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) represents over 10,000 child and adolescent psychiatrists who are physicians with at least five years of additional training beyond medical school in general (adult) and child and adolescent psychiatry.

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