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Children who took second-generation antipsychotic drugs were likely to experience weight gain as a side effect.

A review of studies indicated that music therapy may be an effective treatment for depression. Because the studies considered were small, this technique may prove to be most effective in combination with other therapies.

Statistical evidence indicates that the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders has increased since the 1960s. It is believed that this is due to increased public awareness and broader diagnostic criteria.

More primary care physicians and internists are prescribing antidepressant medications, and the overall number of prescriptions is on the rise.

In the treatment of first-episode schizophrenia, starting treatment as quickly as possible offers the best chance of relief from symptoms, but this is frequently complicated by difficulty in confirming the diagnosis.

Treatment of patients with schizophrenia often falters because patients are unwilling or unable to maintain doctor’s appointments and medication schedules. Transitional services such as assertive community treatment can improve the chances of success.

The erectile dysfunction drug sildenafil may improve sexual function in women who take antidepressants, but there is no evidence that it boosts sexual desire in women with low or no libido.

Testing by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that exposure to thimerosal through vaccinations generally did not impair neuropsychological development in children, as had been previously believed.