Introduction

This book discusses the current state of knowledge of mood and anxiety disorders in children and adolescents from a psychopharmacological perspective and gives clinicians practical advice on the use of medication in this age group. This is a rapidly evolving field, and it is apparent that many questions remain unanswered. What is clear, however, is that a psychopharmacological way of thinking often provides a useful model for explaining the nature of disorders to children and their families, why they need to take medication, and how these drugs may work. For the clinician, a similar understanding makes the process of knowing why, when, what, and how to prescribe much more logical.