Special Section

Focus on Childhood and Adolescent Mental Health

The objective of the Focus on Childhood and Adolescent Mental Health section is to encourage scientific studies regarding the mental health of children and adolescents, promote excellent clinical care of children and adolescents with psychiatric disorders, and help keep the psychiatric community informed about the latest research developments. In addition to manuscripts covering studies of the phenomenology of childhood and adolescent psychiatric disorders and clinical trials of treatments for childhood and adolescent psychiatric disorders and associated symptoms, authors are encouraged to submit manuscripts regarding the use of genomic and brain imaging studies related to childhood and adolescent mental health. Disorders include pediatric mood, anxiety, and psychotic disorders as well as oppositional defiant and conduct disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, pervasive developmental disorders, tic disorders, intellectual disability, other developmental disorders, and any other disorder that may present during childhood or adolescence. Other topics include any biological, psychosocial, economic, or health services aspect of childhood and adolescent mental health. We also invite manuscripts related to the scientific understanding, differential diagnosis, early detection and monitoring, treatment, and prevention of psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents.