Understanding Psychotropic Medications

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Are you a foster or adoptive parent whose child is taking mood altering medications or medications to help them sleep? You will learn a lot about these medications and what you can do to make them as effective as possible. We talk with Dr. Adam Langenfeld, a Developmental Pediatrician at Children's Minnesota hospital. He also has a Ph.D. in chemistry.

In this episode, we cover:

• What are psychotropic medications?
• What are the classes of psychotropic medications? 
• What are some commonly prescribed medications in each class?
• What mental health issues are these medications addressing?
• Symptoms of anxiety and depression in children.
• Situational anxiety or depression. 
  • SCARED checklist anxiety 
  • Childhood Depression Inventory
• How do psychotropic medications work? A basic overview of Psych Pharmacology.
  • Simulation of a brain synapsis
• How are medications in each of these classes administered?
• Does timing of the day matter?
• How effective is melatonin? 
• Does proximity to meals matter when administering these medications?
• What are some of the side effects of the most commonly used psychotropic medications?
  • Psychedelics? 
  • Supplements (such as CBD)?
• Why are children in foster care more likely to be on psychotropic medications?
• Does use of psychotropic medications in childhood increase the likelihood of substance abuse in adolescence or adulthood?
• What can parents do to help these medications be as effective as possible?
• How to know when a child should taper down or get off of psychotropic medications?
• If parents believe that the child is on too many psychotropic medications, what should they do? 

Additional Resources:

• Children in Foster Care Much More Likely to be Prescribed Psychotropic Medications Compared with Non-Foster Children in Medicaid Program 
• National Alliance on Mental Illness, Quick Reference to Psychiatric Medications 
• Common Medications Used in Psychiatric Treatment 
• Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders (SCARED) 
• Children’s Depression Inventory 2nd Edition  (there is a fee for this inventory)
• Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children 

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