In this reflective conversation, Marianne Kuzujanakis, a pediatrician and homeschool educator to a profoundly gifted child, discusses her involvement with gifted kids, which began when she approached Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted (SENG), a nonprofit gifted support organization. She became fully active in supporting the gifted after her…

The last 50 years have witnessed enormous strides in the measurement and classification of child and adolescent psychiatric disorders. Debates about whether we should continue to depend upon a categorical nosology still continue, but we argue that, despite the absence of clear dividing lines between psychiatric disorders and normality and ubiquity…

Notes that, in recent work, Moriarty proposed use of differential diagnoses with adolescent satanic cult dabblers and suggested new diagnostic nosologies. Examines Moriarty's work, scrutinizing its justifications, methodology, and technical aspects. Provides suggestions for clarification of diagnostic typologies and directions for empirical…

Responds to previous article by Wynkoop critiquing Moriarty's article of adolescent satanism. Notes that author's (Moriarty) previous article addresses satanism from perspective of differential diagnoses and that Wynkoop's critique cites number of improvements that author believes strengthens original article. Notes that some of Wynkoop's points…

The main purpose of psychiatric classifications should ultimately be of help in management of patients. Classifications do this indirectly. They help a clinician to think about a child's mental and behavioral problems, and accurately diagnose, and classify them. This in turn helps the clinician to communicate with other professionals, and devise a…

Discusses differences between chronically and nonchronically abused adolescents, provides two illustrative case examples, and explores implications for different approaches to treating each type of case. (RH)

The growing dissatisfaction with current methods for rating affective symptoms in child and adolescent psychiatry necessitates the development of additional reliable methods of evaluating mood disorders. Reviews the limitations of self-report and interview assessment techniques as contrasted with observationally-based rating scales. (JPS)

Oppositional defiant disorder is an individual diagnosis given commonly to children and adolescents who exhibit a pattern of noncompliant and defiant behaviors. Some children's temperament, behaviors, and interpersonal style merit this diagnosis. Other children, however, exhibit behaviors consistent with this diagnosis within the context of their…

Depression is considered a significant affective disorder in children and adolescents. This article provides school psychologists with information concerning the current status of depression in this population. Epidemiological data on depression is provided with phenomenology and diagnostic criteria, review of assessment measures, and…

Reflects on the history of anorexia nervosa among adolescent ("fasting") girls, suggesting that its psychodynamics have changed over time. Focuses on the social and cultural processes by which anorexia nervosa became a disease. Argues for a conception of anorexia nervosa that incorporates culture as well as biomedical and psychological…

Lyme disease may be one of the most commonly misdiagnosed diseases of this decade. Health educators should be knowledgeable about this new disease and be able to share with the public information about prevention, early signs and symptoms, and treatment of the disease (Author/IAH)

Describes the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale Revised and discusses its use in diagnosing learning disabilities or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in adolescents and adults. It addresses ethical and legal issues, the schism of standardized testing vs. modifications, assessment alternatives, and practitioner guidelines. (DB)

Discusses adolescent marijuana use as an issue of concern to the community at large, noting that physicians now have the technology to identify marijuana use and thus are in a unique position to deal with the issue. Addresses the moral issues related to screening and surveillance of adolescent marijuana use and postulates the justification for…

This interview with a 17-year-old boy with attention deficit disorder-inattentive type and his mother, an early childhood educator and administrator, describes the boy's symptoms, diagnosis, present difficulties, effects of medication, the decision to use medication, the probable neurobiological basis for the condition, and the position of the…

This paper outlines the findings of a study of young people's and parents' experiences and perspectives of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) from five positions: the 'symptoms' of ADHD and their consequences, the process of diagnosis and treatment, interventions, a personal diagnosis, and participation and voice. It questions the…