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Pharmacotherapy

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Handbook of Treatment Approaches in Childhood Psychopathology

Part of the book series: Applied Clinical Psychology ((NSSB))

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Abstract

Psychotropic drugs are those prescribed by a medical doctor to alter the behavior or emotions of children with severe childhood disorders (Gadow, 1986a; Sprague & Ullmann, 1981). Pharmacotherapy is the active use of psychotropic drugs to change behavior or emotions, and it has enabled many children to function well in school and to live fuller, happier lives (Aman, 1978, 1980; Kauffman, 1985). Although generally useful, the effects of psychotropic drugs need to be monitored closely because children’s learning ability and social performance can be adversely affected (DiMascio & Shader, 1970). Therapists, teachers, and others who work with disturbed children need to understand both the benefits and the costs associated with the use of psychotropic drugs. The purpose of this chapter is to explain basic pharmacotherapy concepts and to discuss the effects of psychotropic drugs.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80933, USA

    James E. Martin

  2. Department of Special Education, Utah State University, Logan, Utah, 84322, USA

    Martin Agran

Authors
  1. James E. Martin
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  2. Martin Agran
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 70803-5501, USA

    Johnny L. Matson

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© 1988 Plenum Press, New York

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Martin, J.E., Agran, M. (1988). Pharmacotherapy. In: Matson, J.L. (eds) Handbook of Treatment Approaches in Childhood Psychopathology. Applied Clinical Psychology. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-0983-3_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-0983-3_6

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4612-8277-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4613-0983-3

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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