Prescribing of psychotropic medications to children and adolescents: quo vadis?

Childhood and adolescence is a period of extraordinary biological, psychological and social growth. However, at such times, individuals are also vulnerable to disruptions of healthy development. In fact, a staggering 50% of all adult psychiatric disorders have manifested by age 14, with 75% manifesting by age 24 1. Moreover, two thirds of pediatric-onset psychiatric disorders are moderate or severe 2, and most continue into adulthood 3. Such patterns clearly indicate the importance of identifying and appropriately treating psychiatric disorders as early as possible to preserve healthy development and to reduce individual suffering and societal burden.