It is estimated that, globally, the mean point prevalence of diagnosable mental disorders in children and adolescents is higher than 11%, and around half of cases of major mental disorders have their onset before the age of 18. Mental disorders with onset in childhood or adolescence have an enormous impact on the developing brain, body and personal identity, as well as on the short- and long-term social, educational and functional capacity of individuals. Child and adolescent psychiatry - as a discipline, profession, academic field, and network of clinical services - is still relatively young, with its formal evolution beginning in the 20th century. Therefore, it is not surprising that there are currently many challenges, but also opportunities and expected future developments, in this area. In this paper, we identify and address the core challenges, possible solutions, opportunities, and future directions of child and adolescent psychiatry. In the first part of the paper, challenges and possible solutions are discussed regarding diagnostic issues, stigma, access to care, shortage of mental health professionals, evidence-based treatments, treatment adherence, parental participation/engagement, integration with schools, digital influences and cyberbullying, and war/forced displacement. In the second part, opportunities and developments are addressed that relate to early identification and intervention, resilience, interdisciplinary collaborations, integration with primary care, community-based approaches, use of digital technologies, precision child and adolescent psychiatry, artificial intelligence and related ethical issues, and cultural diversity and competences. Despite the significance and impact of mental disorders in children and adolescents, clinical delivery and research on these conditions remain underfunded and underprioritized, even in high-income countries, with clinical services and prevention/early intervention research receiving minimal investment. Addressing mental health in children and young people requires multi-level strategies beyond individual treatment, including tackling structural and socioeconomic barriers and creating opportunities for strengthening resilience and well-being. A well-trained workforce, adequate policies, and increased public awareness are crucial. Overall, the current gaps demand urgent action and global funding rebalancing to more adequately meet the critical needs of children and young people challenged by mental illness.

This review maps psychological and psychosocial interventions aimed at reducing depressive symptoms in children and adolescents who continue to live within war- or armed conflict–affected zones. We sought to identify which approaches are specifically designed for depressive symptoms, how they are delivered in humanitarian contexts, and where robust evidence is still lacking. Twenty-one studies published between 2005 and 2025 were identified across diverse settings including Palestine, Ukraine, Afghanistan, Indonesia, Nepal, and Northern Uganda. Most interventions were group-based and school-delivered. Studies without control conditions generally reported reductions in depressive symptoms, whereas findings from randomized or controlled trials were mixed, with few interventions demonstrating clear superiority over comparison conditions. A small number of interventions grounded in depression-specific theoretical frameworks, such as interpersonal psychotherapy or memory-focused approaches, reported reductions in depressive symptoms; however, evidence remains limited and heterogeneous. Overall, the findings highlight the need for more targeted, theoretically informed interventions and for rigorous study designs to clarify their effectiveness and inform practice and policy for war-affected children and adolescents.

Traumatic nightmares are a core feature in adolescents with complex PTSD (CPTSD) exposed to early and repeated trauma, maintaining hyperactivity and dysregulation. Despite their prevalence and functional impact, targeted treatments for youth remain scarce. Imagery rehearsal therapy (IRT) is a brief cognitive-behavioral intervention effective in adults, but evidence in adolescents with CPTSD is limited. This study assessed the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of four sessions of IRT adapted for young participants (14–25 years) with CPTSD. Thirty-nine participants presenting ICD-11 criteria for CPTSD were recruited after at least 3 months of psychiatric follow-up. They received IRT and completed pre- and post-intervention self-report measures of nightmare frequency and distress (NDQ-13), sleep quality (PSQI, ISI), PTSD symptoms (CPTS-RI, CPC, PCL-5), anxiety, depression, and quality of life. All participants reported severe traumatic nightmares, mainly linked to repeated sexual (75

Background and objectives: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder. However, access to diagnosis and treatment remains limited, requiring improved screening strategies. This study evaluates the discriminative utility of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) for ADHD diagnosis in a clinical sample and explores group differences and the contribution of different informants. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 496 children aged 6-16 referred to a mental health clinic; 358 (72.2 %) received a clinical ADHD diagnosis. Baseline SDQ-Parent (SDQ-P) and SDQ-Teacher (SDQ-T) ratings were analyzed. Logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were used to assess the diagnostic performance of SDQ subscales against clinical ADHD diagnoses. Results: ADHD diagnoses were more frequent in males (65.6 %) and in younger children (mean age = 9.53 +/- 2.59). Hyperactivity/Inattention showed the highest discrimination (AUC = 0.806 for SDQ-P; 0.883 for SDQ-T). Sensitivity was high but specificity low (.21 (95 % CI [.09, .43]) for SDQ-P; .30 (95 % CI [.07, .65]) for SDQ-T), limiting differential diagnosis. Teacher ratings outperformed parent ratings (higher AUC and specificity), underscoring informant complementarity. Conclusion: The SDQ-especially Hyperactivity/Inattention-offers useful screening discrimination in referred youth, with teacher ratings outperforming parent ratings; however, low specificity limits differential diagnosis, so confirmation requires structured clinical interviews using multiple informants. Future work should test calibrated subscale thresholds and local norms to boost discrimination and clarify context effects on SDQ ratings.

This commentary reflects on what Dostoevsky’s work offers contemporary psychiatry, showing how his portrayals of fractured selves, dissociation, shame and the ambivalent force of beauty deepen our understanding of trauma’s lived experience and highlight the psychological complexities that clinical language cannot always capture.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in children and adolescents remains underrecognized despite its significant developmental, relational, and public health impact. This narrative review synthesizes evidence on the prevention, diagnosis, and management of PTSD from early childhood through late adolescence, emphasizing a resilience-oriented and multisystemic framework. Developmentally informed assessment is essential to capture age-specific symptom patterns and to distinguish PTSD from complex PTSD, increasingly observed after chronic interpersonal trauma. Trauma-focused psychotherapies—particularly trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT)—are the gold standard, with eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) and narrative exposure therapy (KidNET) as effective alternatives. In the early post-trauma phase, single-session debriefing is discouraged, whereas selective multisession interventions such as the Child and Family Traumatic Stress Intervention (CFTSI) reduce acute distress and strengthen caregiver support. No pharmacological treatment is approved for pediatric PTSD; psychotherapy remains first-line, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors considered only for severe, persistent, or comorbid cases after shared decision-making. Recovery depends not only on symptom reduction but also on restoring safety, attachment, and agency through coordinated interventions involving family, peers, schools, and communities. Integrating resilience-building and social-support strategies across clinical, educational, and policy levels is key to sustainable recovery and long-term developmental health. Trauma-focused psychotherapies—particularly trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy—are the most effective treatments for posttraumatic stress in children and adolescents, whereas medications have a limited and adjunctive role. Early, brief, family-based interventions can reduce acute distress after trauma and strengthen caregiver support. Sustainable recovery depends on restoring safety, family and social connections, and resilience rather than solely reducing symptoms.

Vitamin D deficiency and depressive disorders are both common in patients with eating disorders (EDs). However, the association between vitamin D status and current depressive disorder (CDD) in EDs populations remains insufficiently explored. We conducted a cross-sectional study including 481 outpatients with EDs assessed at a specialized eating-disorders unit in Montpellier, France. Psychiatric diagnoses were established using the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I.). Eating-disorder severity was assessed with the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q). Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were measured as part of routine clinical assessment, and vitamin D deficiency was defined as < 20 ng/mL. Odds ratios (ORs) were estimated using logistic regression. Vitamin D deficiency was significantly associated with higher odds of CDD (OR 1.98, 95

BACKGROUND:The 2024 French Haute Autorité de santé (HAS) guidelines introduced the concept of an "ADHD-specialized physician" calling for competency-based models to support broader, evidence-based ADHD care for children and adolescents. However, no standardized assessment currently exists to evaluate the clinical reasoning required for this role. OBJECTIVE:This study describes the development and initial validation of a Script Concordance Test (SCT) designed to assess clinical reasoning in ADHD management, with potential applications as both a pedagogical and certification tool. METHODS:Following international standards for SCT design, the test was constructed using a structured blueprint aligned with HAS 2024 guidelines. A panel of 25 national experts completed the full version (72 items); after reviewing the items and excluding those with low consensus, 43 items were retained. Inter-rater agreement was analyzed using Kendall's coefficient of concordance (W=0.67). Qualitative validation was achieved through iterative expert consensus ensuring clarity, relevance, and representativeness. RESULTS:The expert panel demonstrated substantial concordance (Kendall's W=0.67) consistent with previous SCT validation studies in psychiatry and pediatrics. Qualitative reviews confirmed the clarity, representativeness, and clinical relevance of the retained items. CONCLUSIONS:This SCT provides a valid and adaptable method to assess higher-order clinical reasoning in ADHD care. By operationalizing the competencies implied in the HAS 2024 guidelines, it may support the emerging role of the "ADHD-specialized physician" and contribute to competency-based certification models similar to those used in other regulated medical practices.

Children and adolescents exposed to traumatic events (TEs) are at risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), with long-term emotional, cognitive, and social consequences. Early interventions within the first months post-trauma are essential, yet structured, evidence-based approaches remain limited. The Child and Family Traumatic Stress Intervention (CFTSI) is a brief, family-centered approach that enhances parental support and reduces post-traumatic symptoms. While effective in the U.S., its implementation in European settings, particularly via telehealth, remains unexplored. This study evaluates the effectiveness of telehealth-delivered CFTSI in reducing post-traumatic symptoms in children aged 7–17 after recent TEs, compared to non-specific psychological support. Secondary objectives include assessing symptom persistence at three months, parental PTSD symptoms, and predictors of treatment response. This study is a multicenter, evaluator-blinded RCT comparing CFTSI to supportive counseling. Eligible children (aged 7–17) must have experienced a TE within the past 45 days and exhibit at least one posttraumatic stress symptom. Exclusion criteria include severe cognitive impairment, ongoing abuse, or acute psychiatric emergencies.The CFTSI group will receive 5–8 structured, family-focused telehealth sessions targeting parent-child communication and coping. The control group will receive supportive counseling. The primary outcome is post-traumatic symptom reduction, assessed using the Child Posttraumatic Stress Checklist 3 months after completion of the program. Secondary outcomes include three-month symptom persistence, parental PTSD symptoms, and predictors of response. Analyses will use ANCOVA and regression models adjusted for baseline characteristics. This is the first RCT in France evaluating telehealth-delivered CFTSI. Conducted across four sites, findings will inform trauma care integration at regional and national levels. By improving accessibility and supporting trauma-exposed families, this study aims to enhance clinical training and advance evidence-based early interventions. Clinicaltrials.gov. Number NCT07031817. Registered on the 2nd of October, 2025.

Background: Armed conflicts continue to inflict profound human suffering, dismantling health systems, displacing populations, and leaving lasting psychological scars. Although war is rooted in political and geopolitical dynamics, its consequences manifest daily in the clinical and ethical dilemmas faced by health professionals.Objective: This editorial calls for a greater ethical and professional commitment from mental health professionals - particularly those in safer contexts - to address the psychological, systemic, and societal impacts of war.Method: Drawing from current evidence in traumatic stress, humanitarian law, and global health, we examine the multilayered consequences of armed conflict, including PTSD, depression, grief, and intergenerational trauma. We reflect on the responsibilities of trauma specialists in times of political violence and mass displacement.Results: The psychological toll of war is amplified by the collapse of support systems, obstruction of care, and direct targeting of healthcare workers. Mental health professionals possess unique expertise not only in treatment, but also in advocacy, education, and testimony. However, trauma care often remains confined to clinical settings, disconnected from policy and public discourse. This editorial emphasises that silence - particularly from those in positions of relative safety - is not neutral, but complicit.Conclusions: There is a professional and ethical imperative for trauma specialists to move beyond the treatment room. This includes amplifying the voices of affected communities, informing policy with trauma-informed evidence, and confronting the systemic injustices that perpetuate violence. Upholding the core values of care, dignity, and justice requires a broader, more engaged response: not only to the aftermath of trauma, but to the structures that produce and sustain it.

Several studies report significant changes in lifestyle habits during the COVID-19 pandemic, yet results are largely heterogeneous across populations. We examined changes in lifestyle and health behaviors during the first COVID-19 lockdown in Lebanon and assessed whether mental and physical health indicators and outbreak- and lockdown-related factors are related to these changes. Data come from a cross-sectional online survey (May-June 2020) which assessed changes in smoking, alcohol, diet, eating behavior, physical activity, sleep hours, sleep satisfaction, social media use, self-rated health, and life satisfaction (n = 494). We examined these changes' association with current depressive and anxiety symptoms, presence of physical and mental disorders, outbreak-related worries, and lockdown-related factors using regression models adjusted for sociodemographic and socioeconomic covariates. Most prevalent changes were increased social media use (63.2%) and decreased life satisfaction (54.9%) and physical activity (53.4%). Higher depressive and anxiety symptoms, higher daily life difficulties, and presence of diagnosed mental disorder were related to worsening of almost all behaviors. Participants with higher outbreak worries had less healthy diet and increased social media use. Higher adherence to lockdown and preventive measures were associated with increased social media use and lower life satisfaction, respectively. Results show a clear clustering of negative lifestyle and health behavioral changes with current mental health symptoms, existing mental health disorder, and daily life challenges during lockdowns. Findings highlight the importance of tracking higher-risk mental health subgroups to mitigate further adverse impact on mental and physical health.

Lebanon's multi-layered crisis - marked by regional conflict, economic collapse, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the 2020 Beirut Port Blast - has severely affected the psychosocial well-being of Syrian refugee children in Beirut. In response to the blast, a global psychosocial support intervention, the Better Learning Programme (BLP), was adapted into a targeted, short-term program delivered by five counselors, reaching 1100 Syrian refugee children over 10 months. This study examines the mechanisms driving improvements in psychosocial well-being and the barriers that hindered progress for these children. Data collection was longitudinal in nature and consisted of 30 online interviews, six face-to-face interviews, and one group interview with five psychosocial counselors. The counselors observed significant improvements in children's psychosocial well-being through three primary mechanisms: psychosocial safety, self-regulation, and co-regulation. Psychosocial safety was fostered through the creation of child-centered spaces and the provision of practical tools to support emotional well-being. Self-regulation enabled children to manage emotions and stress through psychoeducation and cognitive restructuring, while co-regulation promoted belonging and resilience through group cohesion and strong counselor-child relationships. These mechanisms reflect the multidimensional nature of well-being and emphasize the importance of relational, cultural, and contextual factors in delivering effective support in crisis settings. However, barriers such as emotional exhaustion of counselors, lack of systemic reinforcement, and external challenges such as economic hardship impeded the intervention's implementation. This study provides insights into how a flexible, counselor-led psychosocial support intervention can strengthen well-being and highlights the critical role of relational, cultural, and contextual dynamics in shaping effective responses in crisis-affected, low- and middle-income settings.

BACKGROUND:Childhood maltreatment (CM) is a major risk factor for depression and suicidality. The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) is a widely used retrospective tool for assessing CM, but its stability over time may be influenced by mood state. OBJECTIVE:This study evaluates the temporal stability of CTQ responses over six months among individuals with a history of suicide attempt and the influence of mood state and suicidality on self-reported CM. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING:Participants were drawn from a multicenter cohort of 533 adult suicide attempters hospitalized in three French university hospitals. A subset of 164 participants who completed at least one CTQ dimension at baseline and six months were analyzed. METHODS:Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Current suicidal ideation was evaluated via MADRS item 10. CTQ stability was analyzed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), Bland-Altman plots, and correlations with depression changes. RESULTS:The total CTQ score showed excellent stability (ICC = 0.89, 95 % CI: [0.85-0.92]). Abuse subscales had high reliability (ICC > 0.84), while neglect subscales were less stable (ICC = 0.73 for emotional neglect, ICC = 0.65 for physical neglect). Variations in depressive symptoms weakly correlated with physical abuse scores (r = -0.18, p = 0.03). No significant effect of suicidal ideation was found. CONCLUSIONS:The CTQ is a stable measure of CM. However, neglect dimensions require cautious interpretation. These findings support the CTQ's use in both clinical and research settings within a trauma-informed care approach.

INTRODUCTION:The Covid-19 outbreak hit the world forcing public institutions to rethink their core functioning. Healthcare workers (HCWs) were particularly at risk for negative mental health outcomes, given their direct exposure to many pandemic-related stressors. Our study aimed to assess the psychological outcomes of French HCWs during the Covid-19 pandemic, including PTSD, depression and burn-out. METHODS:This study presents the baseline data of a large cohort study conducted during the pandemic. Participants were 849 French HCWs (mostly single women, working as nurses) assessed for PTSD with the PCL-5 (PTSD Checklist for DSM-5), for depression with the PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire), and for burn-out and compassion satisfaction with the ProQOL (Professional Quality of Life). Other pandemic-related variables were also collected, including characteristics related to participants' Covid-19 experience, as well as psychological and clinical measures. RESULTS:The prevalence rates of PTSD, moderately severe depression, and high risk for burn-out were 17.7% (n = 146), 14.0% (n = 118) and 0.9% (n = 7), respectively. Further, findings suggested that working conditions were challenging, though they still found pride in their work. Univariate analyses showed that being a woman, not being a physician, and lacking protective equipment were each associated with higher scores on several negative psychological outcomes (PTSD, depression, burn-out and secondary traumatic stress), though not consistently across all dimensions. Notably, satisfaction scores on the ProQOL did not differ by gender and were higher among physicians. In the multivariate analyses, not being a physician was independently associated with higher levels of PTSD, depression and burn-out symptoms. Being a woman was independently associated with increased PTSD symptom severity. Higher levels of positivity-defined as a general tendency to view life and experiences with an optimistic and constructive outlook, as measured by the Positivity Scale-were associated with lower symptom scores across all three psychological outcomes. CONCLUSION:This study highlights the considerable psychological toll of the Covid-19 pandemic on French HCWs, particularly among nurses and women, and underscores the protective role of individual psychological resources such as positivity. As one of the largest cohort studies conducted during the pandemic in France, it provides critical evidence to guide public health strategies, institutional policies and mental health interventions. The findings emphasise the urgent need to strengthen occupational mental health support systems and to promote resilience-building approaches among healthcare professionals facing prolonged crisis conditions.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a worldwide public health burden leading to severe impairment. PTSD has a particularly high occurrence among children exposed to potentially traumatic events. Our study aimed to establish the current state of the literature regarding nonpharmacological treatments studied to date to reduce post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) in children and adolescents. We conducted the search on three databases: PubMed, Web of Sciences, and Embase, using the following MeSH Terms; stress disorders, post-traumatic, and psychological treatment. We refined the search by applying filters to document type, languages, and age. Initially, 4570 articles were identified, of which 60 met our inclusion criteria and were included in the review. We included studies that focused on children and adolescents with PTSD following a traumatic event that occurred at least three months prior to being assigned to non-pharmacological treatment. Exclusion criteria included case studies, meta-analyses, literature reviews, and grief-focused therapies. Additionally, trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), already well-established as standard treatments, were excluded. Studies were also omitted if PTSD was not formally diagnosed or if the primary outcome measured was unrelated to PTSS. Most treatments relied on psychoeducation, support, coping skills, and trauma narratives using different strategies. We found large studies on combined therapies, prolonged exposure therapy, and school-based therapies-especially with collective traumatic events. For collective traumatic events, our study exposed a preponderant utilization of group therapies. Most studies reported that the therapies tested were efficient. The level of evidence for each therapy was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system, revealing noteworthy findings, particularly for prolonged exposure therapy. Our study emphasizes treatments that should be further examined in larger studies, and the specificities of psychotherapeutic treatment according to the type of traumatic event, single or collective. Based on our findings, we developed a therapeutic algorithm that can serve as a guideline for managing PTSD in children and adolescents.

Introduction Recently, Dissociation-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (DF-CBT) has emerged as a new field of research, showing promising results. However, there is a lack of theoretical conceptualization regarding how patients develop specific knowledge and abilities to manage dissociation during this therapy. The aim of this study is to identify the knowledge and abilities that should be targeted within DF-CBT to reduce dissociation and its functional impact by validating a scale to measure them: the Knowledge and Abilities about Dissociation Scale (KADS). Method We recruited 515 participants online through social media. They completed several self-reported questionnaires, including the KADS, the Dissociation Questionnaire (DIS-Q), the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), the International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ), the Dissociative Beliefs Scale (DBS), and a visual analog scale measuring the functional impact of dissociation. Results We identified four factors composing the KADS: (F1) the ability to stop dissociation, (F2) the ability to accept and identify alters, (F3) the ability to identify dissociation, and (F4) knowledge about dissociation. We found good internal consistency for F1 and F2, acceptable consistency for F3, and low consistency for F4. F1 was associated with lower levels of psychopathology, while results for F2 and F3 were mixed. In contrast, F4 was associated with higher levels of psychopathology. Conclusion The KADS demonstrates acceptable psychometric properties and can be used in clinical practice. It differentiates four dimensions that could be targeted in psychotherapy. However, the ability to accept and identify alters (F2) requires further investigation to determine its potential clinical relevance.

Introduction: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has a prevalence of 0.7 % in the general population in France and significantly impairs functioning and quality of life. Medical residents are frequently exposed to traumatic events, and several studies highlight that the residency period is a source of psychological distress, including anxiety, depression, burnout, and suicidal thoughts. However, PTSD remains understudied in this population. We aimed to assess the prevalence of PTSD symptoms among general practice residents. Methods: This observational, descriptive, cross-sectional, epidemiological study was conducted among residents enrolled in the Diploma of Specialized Studies in General Medicine at the Faculty of Medicine of MontpellierN & icirc;mes (France). Participants received a questionnaire via the university email, including the Post-traumatic Check List (PCL)-5 self-assessment scale (positivity threshold >= 33). Only responses with all questions completed were included in the analysis. Results: The prevalence of PTSD symptomatology among general practice residents was 6.8 % (95 %CI: 2.9-13). Women accounted for 87.5 % of cases with a positive PCL score. The traumatic events reported occurred in both professional and personal contexts, with emergency medicine and pediatrics being the types of residency trainings where most of the traumatic professional exposure occured. Mental health problems and addictive behaviors were reported in 60 % of cases even in the absence of PTSD symptoms. Discussion: PTSD symptoms prevalence among general practice residents is 6 times higher than the French general population. The residency period poses a significant risk for PTSD, particularly in high-stress trainings such as emergency medicine and pediatrics. These findings underscore the need to expand investigations to residents across all specialties and to enhance awareness, prevention, and screening efforts for PTSD, ultimately aiming to improve the mental health of future general practitioners.

Abstract: Adjustment disorder (AjD) is a widespread disorder that has remained poorly defined for decades. Recently, the ICD-11 refined the diagnostic concept, and researchers developed the International Adjustment Disorder Questionnaire (IADQ) to assess such conceptualization. The aim of the study was to validate the French version of this questionnaire. A total of 678 participants were recruited. They completed multiple questionnaires: the IADQ, the Adjustment Disorder New Module (ADNM), the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS), and the Transdiagnostic Skills Scale (T2S). We assessed the factorial structure of the IADQ using CFA, its internal consistency using McDonald’s ω, and its concurrent validity using Pearson correlations. We found a good factor structure. We also found good concurrent validity and internal consistency. Transdiagnostic skills, such as emotion regulation, were significantly and negatively related to the IADQ scores. The results suggest that the French IADQ provides a reliable and valid assessment of ICD-11 AjD. Interventions that foster transdiagnostic skills may be promising components of treatment protocols for AjD.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. ADHD is commonly treated with medication, such as methylphenidate, but some families and practitioners prefer psychosocial interventions as first line treatments. Many studies have investigated neurofeedback as a potential non-pharmacological treatment for ADHD yielding contradictory findings regarding its efficiency. Qualitative research on neurofeedback in ADHD is limited and can add valuable information on the acceptability and perceived efficacy among service users. This study aimed to explore the perceptions and experiences of children and adolescents with ADHD regarding the use of neurofeedback and methylphenidate. Eleven interviews with children and their parents explored their subjective experiences and perceived changes. Overall, neurofeedback was negatively experienced by those families: the intervention did not meet their expectations, and they reported minimal observed changes. The treatment with methylphenidate, however, was more manageable for families and was perceived to be more efficient despite its side effects.