Do They Grow Out of It?

What happens to children with psychiatric disorders as they mature? Many children experience attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, depression, suicidal behaviour, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, schizophrenia, and conduct disorder. Long-term outcome of childhood disorders is becoming increasingly more important as clinicians, teachers and parents take a broader, more comprehensive view of childhood disorders, their natural history, their developmental impact, later adolescent and adult functioning, and their possible multigenerational consequences. Developmental factors pertaining to the child, such as the age at onset, the severity of the disorder, other comorbid conditions, the child's sex and IQ, as well as physical or neurological health, all seem important in influencing outcome. In addition, social factors, such as socioeconomic status, family composition, mental health of parents, family functioning and child-rearing practices seem to affect outcome. Finally, the impact of treatment is also crucial as it provides a picture of long-term efficacy of various approaches. "Do They Grow Out of It? Long-Term Outcomes of Childhood Disorders" is the first comprehensive view of this important area that familiarises clinicians and others about long-term outcome. This book should guide their present interventions, which will effect more positive long-term outcome in the future. Each chapter is written by a professional with expertise in both the disorder and its long-term sequelae. The authors critically review available information on long-term outcome of the particular childhood disorder, what factors, particularly treatments, influence this outcome, and what future research or clinical directions appear promising.