CHILDHOOD AND ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRY: MAIN SYNDROMES AND THERAPY OF CHOICE

Abstract

Child and adolescent psychiatry is an essential area of medicine that focuses on mental disorders that affect children and adolescents. Understanding and treating these disorders is crucial as they can have significant impacts on the cognitive, emotional and social development of young people. The main syndromes found in this context include Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), Anxiety Disorders, Mood Disorders and Conduct and Disruptive Behavior Disorders. The therapy of choice for these disorders generally involves a multidisciplinary approach, combining psychotherapy, medication when necessary, educational and psychosocial interventions. Objective: The objective of this systematic review is to investigate the effectiveness of different treatment modalities used in child and adolescent psychiatry, focusing on the main syndromes mentioned, in order to provide insights into the most effective approaches for managing these disorders in young people. Methodology: To conduct this review, we used the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) checklist. The PubMed, Scielo and Web of Science databases were searched for articles published in the last 10 years. The descriptors used were "childhood psychiatry", "adolescent psychiatry", "psychiatric syndromes", "treatment" and "efficacy". The inclusion criteria were: Studies that evaluated the effectiveness of treatments for psychiatric syndromes in children and adolescents; Articles published in the last 10 years; Studies in English, Spanish or Portuguese. Exclusion criteria: Studies that did not evaluate therapeutic interventions; Duplicate articles or with insufficient data; Studies in languages other than English, Spanish or Portuguese. Results: The results of the review highlighted the effectiveness of different treatment modalities for psychiatric syndromes in childhood and adolescence. Psychotherapy, medications, educational and psychosocial interventions have been shown to be beneficial in several studies. Furthermore, knowledge gaps were identified that can guide future research in the area. Conclusion: Child and adolescent psychiatry is a complex area that demands integrated and personalized treatment approaches. This systematic review provides a comprehensive overview of the therapies of choice and highlights the continued need for research to improve the understanding and management of psychiatric disorders in these age groups.