Deciding whether to give your child medication for an emotional or behavioral problem is one of the toughest choices a parent can face. Will medication really help? How long will it be needed? The doctor may say it's perfectly safe--but what about the news stories about overuse and risks? From experienced child psychiatrist Dr. Timothy Wilens, this bestselling guide has already empowered many tens of thousands of parents to become active, informed managers of their children's care. Dr. Wilens explains how medications work; their impact on kids' emotions, personality, school performance, and health; the risks and benefits of widely used antidepressants; and much more.

New in the Third Edition:
The fully updated third edition details the latest advances in treating specific disorders--with significant new information on bipolar disorder and ADHD--and offers up-to-date answers to parents' frequently asked questions.

Timothy E. Wilens, MD, Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, specializes in pediatric and adult psychopharmacology in his clinical work at Massachusetts General Hospital, where he is currently Director of Adolescent Substance Abuse Services. Board certified in child, adolescent, adult, and addiction psychiatry, Dr. Wilens is a leading researcher and publishes widely on child and adolescent psychiatric issues.