To medicate? Or not to medicate?

In this episode we look at pharmacological treatments frequently used for children, particularly neurodivergent children. We discuss the evidence, the pros, the cons, the side effects and the stigma associated with medication for children. References cited: Mechler, K., Banaschewski, T., Hohmann, S., & Häge, A. (2022). Evidence-based pharmacological treatment options for ADHD in children and adolescents. Pharmacology & therapeutics, 230, 107940. Boland, H., DiSalvo, M., Fried, R., Woodworth, K. Y., Wilens, T., Faraone, S. V., & Biederman, J. (2020). A literature review and meta-analysis on the effects of ADHD medications on functional outcomes. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 123, 21-30.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2020.01.006 Garland, E. J., Kutcher, S., Virani, A., & Elbe, D. (2016). Update on the use of SSRIs and SNRIs with children and adolescents in clinical practice. Journal of the Canadian Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 25(1), 4.Hetrick, S. E., McKenzie, J. E., & Merry, S. N. (2010). The use of SSRIs in children and adolescents. Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 23(1), 53-57.Catalá-López, F., Hutton, B., Núñez-Beltrán, A., Page, M. J., Ridao, M., Macías Saint-Gerons, D., ... & Moher, D. (2017). The pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents: a systematic review with network meta-analyses of randomised trials. PloS one, 12(7), e0180355.Dalsgaard, S., Nielsen, H. S., & Simonsen, M. (2014). Consequences of ADHD medication use for children's outcomes. Journal of health economics, 37, 137-151. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhealeco.2014.05.005