Purpose of review: Youth aggression is common and has a significant burden on individuals, families, and society. However, its treatment is often a challenge for clinicians. Thus, this review will examine the current understanding of youth aggression, conceptualize aggression as a symptom rather than its own disorder, and provide an overview of treatment strategies. Recent findings: Youth aggression is associated with complex genetic, neurobiological, and environmental risks. Prevention strategies are of the utmost importance for at-risk families and youth. Psychosocial interventions are the first line treatment. But if not fully effective, then pharmacologic interventions—including psychostimulants, alpha-2 agonists, atomoxetine, and risperidone—have shown benefits. Other medications, such as SSRIs, can be useful in certain scenarios. Summary: It is important to conceptualize youth aggression as being a trans-diagnostic symptom in psychopathology. Determining the underlying cause of aggression will help to guide treatment.
CITATION STYLE
Magalotti, S. R., Neudecker, M., Zaraa, S. G., & McVoy, M. K. (2019, December 1). Understanding Chronic Aggression and Its Treatment in Children and Adolescents. Current Psychiatry Reports. Current Medicine Group LLC 1. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-019-1105-1
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