The value of CBT in children and adolescence
Prof. Craig Whittington from the National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health in London has reviewed the value of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to treat children and adolescents with mental health problems.
First, the details.
Prof. Whittington and colleagues reanalyzed the results (meta-analyses) from studies of the treatment of children and adolescents.
Best evidence for success
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Depression
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Posttraumatic stress disorder
More limited evidence of suggests
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Behavioral problems
None or insufficient evidence
- Antisocial behavior
- Psychotic and related disorders
- Eating disorders
- Substance misuse
- Self-harm behavior
The bottom line?
The authors concluded, “Cognitive behavioral therapy has a potentially important role in improving the mental health of children and adolescents.”
If you don’t have access to this article, go to Medscape for a reprint.
7/8/08 20:33 JR