Evidence-based treatments in child and adolescent psychiatry: an inventory.
OBJECTIVE
To provide a list of evidence-based psychopharmacology and psychotherapy treatments for child psychiatry.


METHODS
Published reviews and Medline searches were examined to generate a list of treatments supported by randomized controlled trials.


RESULTS
For psychopharmacology, the best evidence to date supports the use of stimulant medications for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for obsessive-compulsive disorder. There is also reasonable evidence addressing SSRIs for anxiety disorders and moderate to severe major depressive disorder, and risperidone for autism. The psychosocial interventions best supported by well-designed studies are cognitive-behavioral and behavioral interventions, especially for mood, anxiety, and behavioral disorders. Family-based and systems of care interventions also have been found effective.


CONCLUSIONS
Although the number of evidence-based treatments for child psychiatry is growing, much of clinical practice remains based on the adult literature and traditional models of care. Challenges toward adopting evidence-based practices are discussed.
McClellan
Jon M
JM
Child Psychiatry, 6F-1, Children's Hospital, 4800 Sand Point Way, N.E., Seattle, WA 98125, USA. drjack@u.washington.edu
Werry
John Scott
JS
D000293:Adolescent; D000296:Adolescent Psychiatry; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy; D002648:Child; D002665:Child Psychiatry; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000639:trends*