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Child and Adolescent Psychiatry pp 285–301Cite as

Psychopharmacology for Children and Adolescents: A Paradigm Shift

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Abstract

Background: The introduction of psychoactive medications for children and adolescents has changed practice worldwide. Debate continues about the indications for such practice, in particular about the possibility of unnecessary or contraindicated prescription. Such a debate usually assumes that changes in practice follow advances in the knowledge base—new scientific knowledge, coupled with new medications; but practice responds to changes in other areas as well. These other areas include public attitudes, the conditions of practice, and the regulatory environment. All of these are affected by the relationship between clinicians and the psychopharmaceutical industry (aka Pharma). Methodology: This paper reviews changes in factors, along with changes in the evolving knowledge base, which are transforming medication practice with children and adolescents. These changes, beginning in the United States, are affecting practice worldwide. Results: Changes in the knowledge base, public attitudes, the conditions of practice, and the regulatory environment amount to a paradigm shift. Conclusion: The implications of the emerging paradigm for practice and policy are reviewed.

Based on a presentation at the 7th Congress of the Asian Society of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Allied Professions (ASCAPAP), 28 September 2013, New Delhi

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Harvard Medical School, 128 Crafts Road, Chestnut Hill, MA, 02467, USA

    Gordon Harper

  2. Department of Psychiatry, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia

    Peter Parry

  3. Department of Psychiatry, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia

    Peter Parry

  4. Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital, South Brisbane, QLD, 4101, Australia

    Peter Parry

  5. Institute of Mental Health, 10 Buangkok View, Singapore, 539747, Singapore

    Jared Ng

  6. National Institute of Mental Health & Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, 560029, India

    Shekhar Seshadri

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  1. Gordon Harper
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Correspondence to Gordon Harper .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, Chandigarh, India

    Savita Malhotra

  2. Child and Adolescent Mental Health Serv., Centre for Interventional Paediatric(CIPPRD) Child and Adolescent Mental Health Serv., London, United Kingdom

    Paramala Santosh

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Harper, G., Parry, P., Ng, J., Seshadri, S. (2016). Psychopharmacology for Children and Adolescents: A Paradigm Shift. In: Malhotra, S., Santosh, P. (eds) Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Springer, New Delhi. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-81-322-3619-1_16

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