The pharmacologic treatment of sleep disorders.

Sleep disorders and disturbances are common problems in children and adolescents and frequently occur concurrently with psychiatric symptomatology. There appears to be a complex relationship between the regulation of sleep and emotional and behavioral problems in children and adolescents. This article focuses on appropriate use of medications in the treatment of these common disorders through a comprehensive approach of careful evaluation, diagnosis, and the use of behavioral and other nonpharmacologic treatments.