Many medications used to treat mental disorders are safe and effective for children and adolescents. However, it is important to know that children may experience different reactions and side effects than adults, and some medications have FDA warnings about potential side effects for younger people.
In some cases, a health care provider may prescribe an FDA-approved medication on an “off-label” basis to treat a child’s symptoms even though the medication is not approved for the child’s specific mental disorder or for use by people under a certain age. Although there has been less research on mental disorders in children than in adults, there is some evidence that medications can be helpful for children. It is important to monitor children and adolescents who take medications on an “off-label” basis.
A child’s health care provider may suggest trying non-medication treatments, such as psychotherapies, first and may add medication later, if necessary. In other cases, the health care provider may suggest non-medication treatment in combination with medication. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) fact sheet Children and Mental Health: Is This Just a Stage? provides more information about common treatment options for children and adolescents.
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