ABSTRACT
There is a growing acceptance of the use of psychopharmacological agents to treat mental illness in young people in conjunction with other treatments. In this chapter we outline some of the principles of prescribing medication in a youth population. Key is the development of an open and honest therapeutic alliance with the young person and their carer(s). It is also important to recognise that young people are often not the same as adults in terms of response to these medications and their side effects. Thus, using the lowest dose possible to achieve an effect is important. The emergence of early intervention and the clinical staging model for major mental illness has encouraged investigation of more benign pharmacological treatments including “neutraceuticals”, that is, food or food products that provide health and medical benefits, to treat the early symptoms of mental illness or prevent or delay illness progression. Examples include fish oil and N-acetylcysteine. Although the area of indicated prevention in psychopharmacology is in its infancy, there are promising signs that some of these agents may have a neuroprotective effect and preventive potential in these disabling disorders.
