Medications: For Better or Worse? featuring Timothy Wilens, MD – Shrinking It Down

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director, Ellen Braaten, PhD and Tim Wilens, M.D.

Topics: ADHD, Mental Illness + Psychiatric Disorders

Tune in wherever you get your podcasts. Just search for “Shrinking It Down.”

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!

Media List

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, PhD

Ellen Braaten, PhD, is executive director of the Learning and Emotional Assessment Program (LEAP) at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), an associate professor of psychology at Harvard Medical School, and former co-director for the MGH Clay Cente...

To read full bio click here.

Tim Wilens, M.D.

Tim Wilens, M.D. is director of Substance Abuse Services in the Clinical and Research Program in Pediatric Psychopharmacology at Massachusetts General Hospital. He is also an associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Wilens' re...

To read full bio click here.

Medications: For Better or Worse? featuring Timothy Wilens, MD – Shrinking It Down