The Use of Psychoactive Medications in Children with Cancer

Serious psychopathology is sometimes encountered in the prolonged treatment of childhood cancer. The child psychiatrist is asked to see children who have not responded to other psychotherapeutic interventions, including individual therapy, family therapy, play therapy, hypnosis, and relaxation techniques. Often, psychoactive medications are required to treat anxiety, depression, pain, and psychotic-organic brain syndromes. In general, the most familiar psychoactive medication, prescribed at the minimal effective dose, should be used for short-term relief of symptoms. Psychoactive medications may be most useful in conjunction with other forms of therapy. Consideration of the child's physically compromised status is essential, as is a knowledge of the potential toxic effects of psychoactive medications. The psychiatric consultation is an increasingly important environment in which to explore the relationship between the biomedical and psychosocial aspects of behavior.