New Treatment Guidelines Released for Children and Adolescents with Depression, ADHD and Bipolar Disorders

A newly created set of Florida Best Practice Psychotherapeutic Guidelines for the treatment of depression in children and adolescents, ADHD and bipolar disorders have been released by the Medicaid Drug Therapy Management Program for Behavioral Health. Florida Best Practice Guidelines for Children and Adolescents is the result of a program authorized by the Florida Legislature in 2005, and implemented by FMHI, through agreements with Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), the Department of Children and Families (DCF) and subcontractors. The Florida Best Practice Guidelines for Children and Adolescents are a major milestone of the program.

Through collaborations with experts and an exhaustive review of the literature and best practice information, the Florida Child Experts Panel reviewed the latest available medical evidence, recommendations of several available national guidelines, and algorithms for the pharmacologic treatment of children and adolescents presenting with the following psychiatric conditions:

* ADHD
*Bipolar Mania
*Chronic Impulsive Aggression in Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Disorders
* Depression under age 6
* Depression age 7 to Adolescence
* Depression Adolescence
* Severe Tic Disorders

“ At a time when there is often controversy due to the lack of clear evidence about the pharmacologic treatment of mental conditions in children and adolescents, it is imperative for physicians to have access to the most current scientific evidence,” said Robert Constantine, PhD., principal investigator of the Medicaid Drug Therapy Management Program for Behavioral Health project. “These treatment guidelines represent a consensus of the prescriber community and reflect the best available scientific information.”

The Panel outlined principles of practice for children, adolescents, the use of psychotropics for children under 6, and dosing recommendations. Through a consensus process, the Panel reached agreement on several important treatment approaches firmly rooted in evidence-based medicine. However, the Panel acknowledges that due to the lack of multiple, large samples and adequately powered studies in children and adolescents for a number of psychiatric conditions, the use of these medications is largely off-label. The guidelines in their entirety including a biography of the experts panel can be accessed on the MDTMP website.

For additional information, to request a copy of the guidelines, or to arrange a presentation regarding the new treatment quidelines, contact Marie McPherson at (813) 974-5378, or email mmcpherson@fmhi.usf.edu.