Help Needed

1.    Medication can be an important part of treatment for some psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents. Psychiatric medication should only be used as one part of a comprehensive treatment plan. Parents and guardians should be provided with complete information when psychiatric medication is recommended. Children and adolescents should also be included in the discussion, using words they understand.  Please select a psychotropic medication commonly prescribed to children and/or adolescents and answer the questions below.

    How will the medication help the child? When will it start to work?  

    What side effects commonly occur with this medication?  

    Is this medication addictive? Is it likely to be abused?

2.    The population of elderly individuals is growing with extraordinary rapidity. Although, the majority enjoy good health, many older people suffer from multiple illnesses and significant disability. They tend to  exhibit great medical complexity and vulnerability; have illnesses with atypical and obscure presentations; suffer major cognitive, affective, and functional problems; are especially vulnerable to iatrogenesis; are often socially isolated and economically deprived; and are at high risk for premature or inappropriate institutionalization. How do these factors impact treatment?