Psychiatry Inpatient Service

Medication

Medication can be a valuable tool for the treatment of symptoms such as depression, anxiety, psychosis, insomnia and agitation. However, not every child treated on Bader 5 at Boston Children's Hospital receives medication. Your child's treatment team may recommend medication if they feel it could decrease your child's symptoms or provide some relief for their distress. The doctor will talk with you about the possibility of using medication as a part of your child's treatment and review medication actions and potential side effects with you.

Children's has a dedicated Psychopharmacology Clinic to assist clinicians and families in determining whether medication might be a beneficial addition to a child's treatment plan.

Medications are not ordered without informed consent from parents. The only time a child could receive medication without parental consent would be in an emergency situation and you would be notified as soon as possible.

Learn more about commonly prescribed psychiatric medications.