Book Review – Straight Talk about Psychiatric Medications for Kids
Image: Straight Talk by Len Lantz (CC BY-NC-ND)
Synopsis: Len's Star Rating: 10 out of 10. An excellent and easily accessible resource for parents on psychiatric medication for children and adolescents.
BY LEN LANTZ, MD / 5.30.2025; No. 130
Disclaimer: Yes, I am a physician, but I’m not your doctor, and this article does not create a doctor-patient relationship. This article is for educational purposes and should not be seen as medical advice. You should consult with your physician before you rely on this information. This post also contains affiliate links. Please click this LINK for the full disclaimer.
Star Rating – 10 out of 10
Rating guide: 1 = horrible, 5 = average and 10 = wow
Authors
Timothy Wilens and Paul Hammerness
About the authors
Timothy Wilens, MD, is a clinical psychiatrist, researcher, professor, speaker, and author. He serves as chief of the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, co-director of the Center for Addiction Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), MGH Trustees Chair in Addiction Medicine, and professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Wilens earned his MD at the University of Michigan Medical School in Ann Arbor and completed his residency training in child, adolescent, and adult psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital. Dr. Wilens has published over 300 peer-reviewed research articles in the field of psychiatry.
Paul Hammerness, MD, is a child and adolescent psychiatrist, professor, researcher, and author of several books. He is the Executive Vice Chair of the Department of Psychiatry at Boston Medical Center. He is a Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine. He earned his MD from Dartmouth Medical School and completed his residencies in general psychiatry and child and adolescent psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital.
General description
Straight Talk about Psychiatric Medications for Kids is an essential guide for any parent considering psychiatric medication for their child. Drs. Wilens and Hammerness go far beyond covering the basics and rationale for psychiatric medications for kids. In this comprehensive guide, the authors, who not only research psychiatric conditions but also treat children who have mental illness, explain to parents what to expect in terms of outcomes of treatment and what side effects to watch out for. The text of this book is organized into three parts:
What every parent should know about psychiatric medications for children
Common childhood psychiatric disorders
The psychotropic medications
Unique and most important aspects
Considering psychiatric medication for your child is one of the most stressful decisions any parent can make. In Straight Talk about Psychiatric Medications for Kids, Drs. Timothy Wilens and Paul Hammerness are sensitive and reassuring in their commonsense approach to childhood mental illness and its treatments. They help parents weigh the pros and cons of psychiatric medications for kids. And they explain how medications work without promoting psychiatric medications as a solution for every problem.
Much of the information in this book is organized in a question-and-answer format, allowing parents to efficiently skim the book for the information they are most interested in. The authors translate research findings as they clearly explain the efficacy and safety of each medication, and it’s clear from their vignettes that they have extensive experience working directly with children and their parents.
Through the information and strategies explained in this book, Dr. Wilens and Hammerness empower parents to become active partners with their child’s doctor, working collaboratively in the care of their kids. By becoming more informed, parents can potentially find more effective solutions for their children sooner.
Of note, the language in this book is somewhat academic; however, there are helpful sidebars that explain medical terms and emphasize important points. Although the most recent (fourth) edition was published in 2016, the book remains relevant, covering most medications available for children today. Important features of this book include the following:
Provides several charts of medications, indications, and dosages
Explains the value of creating a medication log and/or summary of your child’s symptoms and treatment interventions
Outlines the low but possible occurrence of a paradoxical (opposite of intended) effect from a psychiatric medication
Describes reasons why a child might stop responding to their medication
Answers questions about psychiatric hospitalization for kids
Covers commonly recommended over-the-counter (OTC) supplements
Includes a “Take-Home Point” for prescribed medications and OTC supplements
Best quotes
“Our goal is to offer you everything you need to know to make the treatment decisions so important to your child’s present and future well-being and that of your family.”
“Not surprisingly, research has shown that the majority of major emotional and behavioral disorders in adults start during childhood or adolescence.”
“Psychiatric medications for children vary in effectiveness. Roughly 40–70% of children will respond favorably to medications for ADHD, anxiety, and depression.”
“‘Second opinions’ serve the purpose of having your child reevaluated from a different perspective. This can result in either reaffirming the first diagnosis or legitimizing your concerns about it.”
“We can’t emphasize enough how important it is to have a firm diagnostic hypothesis before any treatment.”
“However, in child psychiatry we have development on our side. Thanks to emotional, behavioral, and cognitive development, many children have a greater ability to handle stressors and work effectively in treatment as they age. So, while keeping an eye on long-term goals, do not miss short-term victories!”
“Most generic medications’ pharmacological properties make them acceptable, less expensive alternatives to the brand-name medication. On an individual basis, some parents report no difference between the brand and generic preparations, whereas others observe less effectiveness, allergic reactions, or increased or different side effects with generic versions.”
“Parents and children should expect side effects; no medication comes without them.”
“It’s very important not to attribute improvement in symptoms solely to the medication.”
“As your child’s parent or guardian, generally you will need to assume responsibility for the medication until your child is 18 years old. You are responsible for her well-being as well as the safety of the home.”
“Medication should be considered immediately in kids with previous recurring depression, suicidality, or severe depressive features with a lot of impairment.”
Who would enjoy this book?
Readers interested in learning more about the pros and cons of psychiatric medication for kids will likely enjoy Straight Talk about Psychiatric Medications for Kids.
Who would not enjoy this book?
Readers who would never be in favor of psychiatric medication in treating childhood mental illness are unlikely to enjoy Straight Talk about Psychiatric Medications for Kids.
Conclusion
Straight Talk about Psychiatric Medications for Kids is an excellent and easily accessible resource for parents on psychiatric medication for children and adolescents.
