J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. 1999 ; 9(4): 307-11.

Use of St. John's Wort by adolescents with a psychiatric disorder.

Walter G, Rey JM.

Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Sydney, Australia. gwalter@mail.usyd.edu.au

Herbal remedies are commonly used for psychiatric problems, but there is virtually no data about the use of these substances by young persons or by patients in treatment. Four adolescents who used St. John's Wort while under psychiatric care are described. Three of the patients had been reluctant to reveal this to their psychiatrist, believing the doctor had no interest in alternative medicine or would disapprove. Patient beliefs that prescribed medication has limitations and that natural products are safe contributed to the use of herbal remedies. The cases raise a number of issues, including the need for clinicians to routinely ask patients about alternative medicine use, to learn more about these treatments, and to discuss these approaches objectively with patients.