Childhood Psychiatric Disorders: Presentations, Screening, and Treatment

About one in seven young adults in the United States has a co-occurring mental illness and substance use disorder (COD). Young adults with CODs experience more significant impairment and poorer treatment outcomes—and are more likely to be incarcerated, become homeless, or die, including from suicide—than young adults with only one or the other disorder. Proper diagnosis is exceptionally complicated, and professionals often have conflicting opinions about etiology, course, and prognosis.

Learning objectives

• Explain the developmental trajectory of psychiatric disorders from “normal” to “typical” to those requiring intensive services.
• Apply steps and tools for detecting and diagnosing pediatric depression and anxiety, including suicide screening and prevention.
• Evaluate treatment options and levels of care for this demographic and make appropriate recommendations to patients and parents.

Presenter Disclaimer

Mirela Loftus, MD, PhD, has a working relationship with Newport Healthcare and, as such, has both a financial and an intellectual interest in the webinar content. The purpose of this presentation is to provide a balanced view on how to recognize, diagnose, and treat childhood psychiatric disorders.