Book Review
Psychopharmacology
Practical Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology. S Kutcher, editor. Cambridge (UK): Cambridge University Press; 2002. 466 p. US$60.00.
Reviewer
rating*: Good
Review by: MK Nixon, MD, FRCPC
Victoria, British Columbia
This soft-covered, edited textbook is a welcome addition to the literature on psychopharmacological treatment of children and adolescents. The text is divided into 15 chapters, with contributions from several well-known researchers and clinicians practising in the field of pediatric psychopharmacology.
The initial chapter by Charles Popper reflects and comments on developments in this rapidly changing field. Issues such as rising expectations of medication in this age group, the rush to use medication, the role of industry and technology in the development of this field, and the need for innovative treatments are discussed. Chapters on developmental psychopharmacology and clinical aspects of child and adolescent psychopharmacology orient the reader to both the complexities of the developing brain and the need for structured approaches to both assessment and treatment when prescribing.
The main clinical diagnoses for children and adolescents are reviewed generally, followed more specifically by psychopharmacological treatments. Dr Neal Ryan reviews depression, Dr Vivek Kusumaker and others review bipolar mood disorders, and Dr Keith Marriage addresses schizophrenia and related psychoses. Dr Thomas Spenser and others review attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, summarizing the literature and addressing issues of comorbidity and effects on response to treatment. This is followed by a chapter by Dr Sandra Fisman on pervasive developmental disorders (PDD),which reviews diagnostic criteria for PDD and the targeted role of psychotropics in these disorders. Chapters on tic disorders and Tourette syndrome and on eating disorders and related disturbances complete the main clinical spectrum. Further chapters on the treatment of aggressive behaviour, adolescent substance abuse, and medical psychiatric conditions have been added as extra-interest topics.
The table outlining initial medication in the chapter on the psychotic child and adolescent, the table outlining medication dosing to counter side effects of neuroleptics in schizophrenia, and the dosing tables in the chapter on anxiety were all visually helpful. Unfortunately, such tables are not consistent throughout the various chapters of the text. Overall, the book is a wealth of information in a challenging and ever-changing field. I also consider it reasonably priced.
*Reviewer
Rating Scale/ Échelle d’évaluation du réviseur
Excellent / Excellent
Very Good / Très bon
Good / Bon
Fair / Passable
Not recommended / Pas recommandé
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