Medications: For Better or Worse? – Shrinking It Down | MGH Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds

Medications: For Better or Worse? – Shrinking It Down

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director, Ellen Braaten, Co-Director and Sara Rattigan, Communications Director

Topics: ADHD, Mental Illness + Psychiatric Disorders

Many parents of kids struggling with a mental health issue have concerns – even fears – about medication as a part of treatment. Will it help? Will it hurt? What are the side effects? Today, Dr. Tim Wilens, chief of the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital, joins Gene and Ellen to talk about prescribed medications, and other substances used recreationally to ease symptoms: How they can help, how they can harm, and how to know when medication should be considered for your child or teen. Plus, a closer look at medications for treating ADHD.

Thank you for joining in this conversation. Have a question or comment about medications and mental health? Write to us!

Tim Wilens, MD, Chief, Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (Massachusetts General Hospital)
George Floyd: protests take place around the world (The Guardian)
Today, Explained – “The Talk” (Vox)
COVID-19 and College Students, featuring Khadijah Booth Watkins, MD (MGH Clay Center)
When Medicines Affect a Child’s Mind and Behavior (The New York Times)
Listen to “ADHD and Substance Use Disorders: How to Recongize and Manage Addiction” with Timothy Wilens, M.D. (ADDitude)
A Literature Review and Meta-Analysis on the Effects of ADHD Medications on Functional Outcomes (Journal of Psychiatric Research)
The Complicated Relationship Between Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Substance Use Disorders (Current Psychiatry Reports)
Further Evidence for Smoking and Substance Use Disorders in Youth with Bipolar Disorder (Journal of Clinical Psychiatry)
Familial Influences on Adolescent Substance Use (Psychiatric Times)
Q+A: Once You Have Discovered Your Teen is Using Pot, What’s the Next Step? (MGH Clay Center)
Recommended Alcohol Guidelines – Moderate (Social) Drinking Plan (Addictions and Recovery)
Drug Prevention Tips for Every Age (Partnership for Drug-Free Kids)
Dr. John A. Renner Jr. honored by MMS with Special Award for Excellence in Medical Service (Massachusetts Medical Society)

Episode produced by Sara Rattigan

Music by Gene Beresin

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Gene Beresin, Executive Director

Gene Beresin, M.D. is executive director of The MGH Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds, and a staff child and adolescent psychiatrist at Massachusetts General Hospital. He is also a ...

To learn more about Gene, or to contact him directly, please see Our Team.

Ellen Braaten, Co-Director

Ellen Braaten, Ph.D. is co-director of The MGH Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds, and director of the Learning and Emotional Assessment Program (LEAP) at Massachusetts General Hospi...

To learn more about Ellen, or to contact her directly, please see Our Team.

Sara Rattigan, Communications Director

Sara Rattigan, M.S. is the communications director for The Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds, and a public health communicator whose passion has always centered around innovative a...

To learn more about Sara, or to contact her directly, please see Our Team.

Medications: For Better or Worse? – Shrinking It Down