Psychopharmacology: Pediatrics (CE)

Current Status

Not Enrolled

Price

CA$250.00

Get Started

Take this Course

Children and youth are seeking psychological treatment for psychiatric issues more and more. As clinicians, we need to be aware of the various psychotropic medications used to treat the disorders commonly seen in this population. This brief course will explore a variety of mental health issues commonly seen in children and youth, including mood disorders, anxiety disorders, feeding disorders, ADHD, ODD, and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Considerations that are unique to this group in particular, including the role of guardians in treatment, will be explored.Etiologies and risk factors will be discussed as well as the differential diagnoses that one must be aware of when assessing a client. Finally, clinicians will learn the primary psychotropic medications used in the treatment of these disorders and possible side effects that we must be aware of when working with children and youth. The course is a total of 3 hours.

DBN Elite is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. DBN Elite maintains responsibility for the program.

Download Pdf​
Course Clientele

Psychotherapists and psychologists looking to gain an in-depth knowledge of a variety of mental health disorders seen in the pediatric population and who wish to learn more about the use of psychotropic medication in their treatment.

Upon the successful completion of this course, students will be able to…

  1.  Identify the primary symptoms of mental health disorders, including major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, feeding disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, and autism spectrum disorder all through the lens of youth clients.
  2. Recognize the unique circumstances and ethical standards associated with the psychotropic treatment of children and adolescents.
  3.  Identify the primary psychotropic medications used to treat specific mental health disorders in youth.

The course is a total of 3 hours and will be available online on  DBN Elite. The course must be completed within 6 months of purchasing it.

The course is pass/fail, no numeric grade will be provided, however, a passing grade is 75%. 

  • Final Exam (100%): The course evaluation will be a cumulative exam that consists of 35 multiple-choice and true or false questions designed to assess your knowledge of psychopharmacology. The final exam will be available to you once you have completed the lecture. A passing grade is 75% or 27 correct questions.

Therapeutic considerations

  • Physiological development
    • Adult vs. pediatric
    • Chronic vs. acute conditions
    • Neurotoxicity and psychotropics
  • Cognitive
    • Lack of verbal skills
    • Minimal emotional experience
    • Potential ambiguities
  • Therapist/Guardian Relationship
    • Awareness of possible medication side effects
    • Implementation of treatment plan

Ethical considerations in working with children and youth

  • Biological age, maturity, legal status

Major depressive disorder

  • Risk factors
  • Differential diagnosis
  • Pharmacological treatments
    • TCAs, MAOIs, SSRIs, SNRIs, atypical antidepressants

Anxiety disorders

  • Risk factors
  • Differential diagnosis
  • Pharmacological treatments
    • Benzodiazepines, atypical, SSRIs, SNRIs

Eating disorders

  • Anorexia nervosa risk factors
  • Anorexia nervosa differential diagnosis
  • Anorexia nervosa treatment
    • Psychotherapy, dietician, family support
  • Bulimia nervosa risk factors
  • Bulimia nervosa differential
  • Diagnosis
  • Bulimia nervosa pharmacological treatments
    • SSRI (Fluoxetine)

Oppositional defiant disorder

  • Risk factors
  • Differential diagnosis
  • Treatments
  • Parent management training
  • Teaching clients positive behaviours, responses

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder

  • Risk factors
  • Differential diagnosis
  • Pharmacological Treatments
    • Stimulants, amphetamines, NRIs

Autism spectrum disorder

  • Risk factors
  • Differential diagnosis
  • Pharmacological treatments
    • Antipsychotics, antidepressants, mood stabilizers

Substance related disorders

  • Basic terminology
  • Alcohol use
  • Opioid use
  • Cannabis use
  • Differential diagnosis
  • Pharmacological treatments for alcohol:
    • Acamprosate or Campral
    • Disulfiram or Antabuse
  • Pharmacological treatments for opioid use:
    • Buprenorphine
  • Pharmacological treatments for cannabis use:
    • No FDA-approved drugs BUT… N-Acetylcysteine is being studied as a possible option

Segment 4: Pre-recorded Q&A Exercise