Over the past few years antipsychotic medication are increasingly being used for non psychotic illnesses in young people. These have severe side effects and the long term consequences are unknown.

Identify the non psychotic conditions where an antipsychotic medication had been prescribed.

A survey was carried out in a community Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service to find the non psychotic conditions where an antipsychotic medication was prescribed and the reason and choice of the medication.

38 young people were identified from the electronic system that did not meet the criteria for a psychotic illness but had at least one DSM IV TR diagnosis of a non psychotic illness where an antipsychotic medication had been prescribed over the previous 6 months. the case notes of these patients were referred to identify;

1. ▪ The reason for prescribing an antipsychotic.

2. ▪ The antipsychotic that has been prescribed.

1. • Most common non psychotic condition where an antipsychotic was used was Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (25). Other conditions were Autism Spectrum disorder (2), Tourette's Disorder (2), Anxiety Disorder (1) and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (1).

2. • It was mostly used to manage behavioural problems (22).

3. • Most common medication used was Risperidone (20) followed by Aripiprazole (7) and Haloperidol (3).

Antipsychotic medications are primarily being used to treat behaviour problems in young people who do not have psychotic illness. Further studies required to see if any other non pharmacological intervention may limit its use.