A Series on Troubled Children

The New York Times recently published a five part series entitled Troubled Children. The series covers issues surrounding mental illness in children and examines how these children make the transition into adulthood. The description of the series, including descriptions for the five individual parts, is below:

At least six million American children have difficulties that are diagnosed as serious mental disorders, according to government surveys — a number that has tripled since the early 1990’s.

This series will examine issues including the transition to adulthood, the uncertainty of diagnosis, the use of multiple medications and the role of parents.

Part 1: Living With Love, Chaos and Haley
By PAM BELLUCK
The families of children diagnosed with mental disorders are often left on their own to sort through a cacophony of conflicting advice.
Video: Part 1 | Part 2

Part 2: What’s Wrong With a Child? Psychiatrists Often Disagree
By BENEDICT CAREY
Increasing numbers of children are being treated for psychiatric problems, but naming those problems remains more an art than a science.
Video

Part 3: Proof Is Scant on Psychiatric Drug Mix for Young
By GARDINER HARRIS
A growing number of children are taking combinations of powerful medications, but there is little evidence to justify the multiplication.
Graphic: Psychiatric Medicines

Part 4: Off to College on Their Own, Shadowed by Mental Illness
By LYNETTE CLEMETSON
For young people diagnosed with serious mental disorders, the transition from high school to college can be particularly fraught.
Video

Part 5: Parenting as Therapy for Child’s Mental Disorders
By BENEDICT CAREY
The science behind nondrug treatments for childhood behavioral disorders is getting stronger.

Special thanks to Joel Dobris (Professor of Law, UC Davis School of Law) for bringing this article to my attention.