Psychotic Symptoms in Children and Adolescents: Assessment, Differential Diagnosis, and Treatment

As a child psychologist, I work with kids with varying degrees of mental illness. Trying to diagnose a psychotic disorder can be tough, however, since it sometimes isn't clear if it is true psychosis, versus an exaggerated depressive or possttraumatic response. Especially in my work with foster and adopted children, emotional and behavior patterns vary, and sometimes the child's actions seem outright bizarre. This book acquaints the practitioner with the steps needed in order to confirm a short- or long-term psychotic reaction in a child. It doesn't devote as much as it should to differential diagnosis, but the clinician can find this information elsewhere. Christopher Alexander, PhD (Author: 'Diagnosis, Assessment, and Treatment of Foster and Adopted Children; A Guide for Parents and Practitioners' 2009).