Children On Medication

Aporia

I read an article yesterday in which some psychologists were alarmed at the number of children and teens that were being prescribed with anti-psychotic medication. Now, I'm not usually intrested in stuff like this but I was incredibly bored and needed something to do although I should be studying since my german orals are on monday - wonderful. Anyway, it said these drugs have not been tested for use on children and are generally designed to treat serious psychological disorders such as schizophrenia. After the media furore concerning the link of anti-depressives with suicide, it appears that some professionals in the field are becoming increasingly concerned that these drugs are being prescribed too easily.
I can understand if a child has a serious disordeir in which s/he is a danger to themselves or their family, they would need to be medicated. But isn't the definition of something like hypoeractivity (not sure that's spelled right) or ADD somewhat arbitrary? Should drugs be used to help children with the awful realities of life such asmoney problems, death or divorce?
A few of the reasons that I can think of for the increase in use of these drugs is:
a) Anyone who's ever been around little children knows that they like to scream and go absolutely insane. This is "normal". Children also go through weird phases. This is also a "normal" part of growing up. I know I was a screaming biitch when I was younger. Should you medicate a child who's going through his exorcist-re-enactment phase" ?
b)Parents are increasingly time-pressed, stressed because of their jobs. They want to go home, do the housework and then just watch the late late or something. Its difficultt to deal with some child who's bouncing off the walls. It takes a lot of time and patience to deal with a child who's upset, needs to develop social skills etc and some children take longer than others.
c) Corporate greed- Medicate the little brats, run up huge profits. Promote your new wonder-drug aggressively.

Since all this is quite new especially in an Irish soceity we still don't know what the side effects are. How will this effect them in laterlife? It's only being introduced and at the early stages in Ireland but huge in America. Opinions people...

ST*

Aporia wrote:

A few of the reasons that I can think of for the increase in use of these drugs is:
a) Anyone who's ever been around little children knows that they like to scream and go absolutely insane. This is "normal". Children also go through weird phases. This is also a "normal" part of growing up. I know I was a screaming biitch when I was younger. Should you medicate a child who's going through his exorcist-re-enactment phase" ?
b)Parents are increasingly time-pressed, stressed because of their jobs. They want to go home, do the housework and then just watch the late late or something. Its difficultt to deal with some child who's bouncing off the walls. It takes a lot of time and patience to deal with a child who's upset, needs to develop social skills etc and some children take longer than others.
c) Corporate greed- Medicate the little brats, run up huge profits. Promote your new wonder-drug aggressively.

Good post Aporia. Well you have touched off a subject alot of people are concerned about. However, ADHD drugs like Ritalin - tests are carried out on them before they are put on the market. I agree there is no guarentee with these kind of drugs though. But look at the flip side, HRT and the pill. Uncertainty has surrounded those drugs for years, and yet they are still on the market.

But there is a notable difference between (I won't call them normal children, because they all are) in ADHD sufferers.

I do agree with you however, that anti-depressants are handed out all too readily.

LundiMardi

Aporia wrote:

I read an article yesterday in which some psychologists were alarmed at the number of children and teens that were being prescribed with anti-psychotic medication. Now, I'm not usually intrested in stuff like this but I was incredibly bored and needed something to do although I should be studying since my german orals are on monday - wonderful. Anyway, it said these drugs have not been tested for use on children and are generally designed to treat serious psychological disorders such as schizophrenia. After the media furore concerning the link of anti-depressives with suicide, it appears that some professionals in the field are becoming increasingly concerned that these drugs are being prescribed too easily.
I can understand if a child has a serious disordeir in which s/he is a danger to themselves or their family, they would need to be medicated. But isn't the definition of something like hypoeractivity (not sure that's spelled right) or ADD somewhat arbitrary? Should drugs be used to help children with the awful realities of life such asmoney problems, death or divorce?
A few of the reasons that I can think of for the increase in use of these drugs is:
a) Anyone who's ever been around little children knows that they like to scream and go absolutely insane. This is "normal". Children also go through weird phases. This is also a "normal" part of growing up. I know I was a screaming biitch when I was younger. Should you medicate a child who's going through his exorcist-re-enactment phase" ?
b)Parents are increasingly time-pressed, stressed because of their jobs. They want to go home, do the housework and then just watch the late late or something. Its difficultt to deal with some child who's bouncing off the walls. It takes a lot of time and patience to deal with a child who's upset, needs to develop social skills etc and some children take longer than others.
c) Corporate greed- Medicate the little brats, run up huge profits. Promote your new wonder-drug aggressively.

Since all this is quite new especially in an Irish soceity we still don't know what the side effects are. How will this effect them in laterlife? It's only being introduced and at the early stages in Ireland but huge in America. Opinions people...

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Aporia

I don't know too much about ADHD but the thing about any medication is that they're there to help people in need and not all medications are designed to help all people. The problem is with doctyors who start prescribing without knowing what the hell they are doing.. haha (to some dgree anyway!). You would hope that people would educate themselves enough to prescribe to patients -adults and children- only when totally necessary and to follow their cases appropriately to adjust treatment plans, but humans, even those who are medical professionals, are inherently lazy.
Like I said lots of children are really crazywhen they're young. Children almost always have an imaginary friend, or a teddy bear that 'speaks' to them, and the like. I actually took a test once online to see if you have any mental disorders and how bad they are, and I scored high and moderate on everything on the list except OCD and histrionicism (sp?). I'm not going to take meds unless any of those things gets so bad that it's dangerous. I think some people overreact to a lot of that kind of thing, and as soon as they notice some abnormal hyperness, bam! you're on Ritalin. I think that's ridiculous.

But back to my point- medicating young children is so incredibly irresponsible, it makes my skin crawl. :mad: I don't know how a doctor/psychaitrist could justify it. If the reasons for it is behaviors, that doesn't add up because part of being child/teenager is incredible mood swings, acting out, over stimulation as others have stated. And until said child is able to articulate what they not their parents are feeling, then who are these meds really helping. There seems to be a real disconnect between the prescribing of meds to address chronic, debilitating mental illness and something to give out like Halloween treats after a rough week.

But look at the flip side, HRT and the pill. Uncertainty has surrounded those drugs for years, and yet they are still on the market.

Oh! Don't get me started on the pill I'm convinced it's some kind of conspiracy...The thing is, is that no proper research has been carried out. I know several people who have been on the pill for a considerable amount of time and now their bodies are showing the gruesome effects (my mom included).

In the end I just think it's frustrating that people are so willing to take any medication thats handed to them either being for themselves or their children, but won't actually face the root of their problems.

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A life?

ST*

Aporia wrote:

Children almost always have an imaginary friend, or a teddy bear.

Not all children to be honest. Some children do grow attachements to the likes of teddies or blankets etc. for comfort reasons.

Aporia wrote:

I actually took a test once online to see if you have any mental disorders and how bad they are, and I scored high and moderate on everything .

Don't take any online tests to heart. If you have any genuine fears, go to a doctor, who in turn will refer you if need be.

Aporia wrote:

they notice some abnormal hyperness, bam! you're on Ritalin. I think that's ridiculous..

To be honest with you, ADHD is usually quite obvious enough. There are probably cases where children have been unprescribed ADHD drugs unessesarily however.

Aporia wrote:

But back to my point- medicating young children is so incredibly irresponsible, it makes my skin crawl. .

I can see your point here. I've two small boys, and the eldest- I went through a phase where I thought he might have this problem. Very active, and he seemed to have quite a short attention span. This has since settled, but I was quickly put in my place on the matter by his playschool tutor alone! While in training, these teachers and tutors are informed as to what signals to watch out for- thankfully I might add.

Aporia wrote:

I don't know how a doctor/psychiatrist could justify it. If the reasons for it is behaviours, that doesn't add up because part of being child/teenager is incredible mood swings, acting out, over stimulation as others have stated. .

Firstly, an adult can have a couple of pretty tough months and be wrongly prescribed an anti-d. A child suspected of having ADHD will be monitored over a period of time, and then they will be considered for the meds. It usually doesn't take long for a professional to figure out whether or not the child is a sufferer.

Aporia wrote:

In the end I just think it's frustrating that people are so willing to take any medication thats handed to them either being for themselves or their children, but won't actually face the root of their problems.

Why are people so afraid to ask about the medication they are being prescribed? Fine maybe the children themselves can't, but what about the parents in the cases of ADHD?. Outside of drugs relating to mental health, people do not in general ask about what is being prescribed to them.

Crucifix

My sister is a primary school teacher, and she has had ADHD kids in her class. From what she's told me there's a massive gulf between the average hopped up on sugar and cartoons kid and one with ADHD. Whether medicating is the best thing to do is another story I suppose.

In the end I just think it's frustrating that people are so willing to take any medication thats handed to them either being for themselves or their children, but won't actually face the root of their problems.

For a child who geniunely does have ADHD the root of their problem is the configuration of their brain, it's not exactly someone running from their problems to medicate something like that. But like I said, medication might not be the best way.

LundiMardi

Aporia wrote:

A life?

I don't think a basic grasp of the English language is too much to ask.

nesf

Moved to Biology/Medicine.

Good topic. Just really not one for AH tbh.

ST*

Crucifix wrote:

Whether medicating is the best thing to do is another story I suppose.

I'm very apprehensive about medicating any child with these kind of drugs, let alone my own. However, you try and tell the sufferer's parents that.

It is a pity that only that 'bad' results are heard. Most parents would see significant results with this drug. It may be perceived as 'selfish' from the parents point of view. But I know that if I had been told my son was a sufferer, that I would probably given him a trial on the drug to offer him a better quality of life. That, is what most parents want for their children. And also why they put their faith in the health professionals in the first place. We come across untrustworthy people in all walks of life.

Make the doctors earn the money you are handing over, demand the information.

Aporia

Well I suppose the main thing to remember, when it comes to situations like these, is to research research research. It's better to be knowledgeable on the subject and maybe even get a second opinion before actually medicating your child. Like I said before it's being irresponsible just rushing in there without considering the situation fully. It shouldn't be treated as an quick and easy remedey to a parents never ending headache. It's unatural to see a child go through their terrible twos in silence

Why are people so afraid to ask about the medication they are being prescribed? Fine maybe the children themselves can't, but what about the parents in the cases of ADHD?. Outside of drugs relating to mental health, people do not in general ask about what is being prescribed to them.

Yeah I totally agree there. It's not always a case of doctors know best. Some times doctors can be very closed up. When I was prescribed thyroxin for a over active thyroid gland a few years back I was just told to take one a day. I had no idea at the time what I was even taking it for

cathy01

ADD/ADHD.When a parent is given medication for their child it is because he needs it.
I see it as been like a pair of glass's, you can see yes, but with glass's you can see much better.
Drugs be it Ritalin or some other, helps the child focus.He can then learn.
And not just learn maths and English but how to make friends and take turns.
How to ask for help and how to deal with frustrations.
It is more likely the child with ADD/ADHD that doesnt get help will end up in trouble.Or worse.
For parents , its hell.
Never , ever been able to relax.What are they doing who with.
Where are they , this is from any age.
Its not easy , but the answer is in information.
ASK , ASK , ASK.
Doctors like to have their brain challenged.
Its the teachers and school system that needs a good kick into touch

DrIndy

Aporia, there are a few errors in what you have said.

Schizophrenia is not possible in children or even young adolescents. It is impossible to diagnose this disorder if their brains are not fully developed personally and socially to develop abnormal thoughts or voices.

In general, psychiatrists do not prescribe to anyone with a psychiatric diagnosis unless the disorder affects their personal relationships, social ability (like work) or safety to self and others. By law, no doctor can administer a psychiatric medicine against the will of a patient unless they are a real and present danger to themselves or others. Otherwise people must choose to take their medicines and if they choose not to, its their choice.

ADHD is a complex disorder and can be crippling. On the above criteria, if the child is virtually unable to learn anything, disruptive to his/her life and social ability and in general is non-functional - is it wrong to treat them? However, no doctor would ever give ritalin to a child who is a bit hyper. Often a hyperactive or disruptive or antisocial child comes from an abnormal household with abnormal family dynamics where parents either don't know or are unable to interact with each other or the child appropriately to ensure a stable and well developed upbringing. This is where Family Therapy comes in and is very successful.

This is in general what is exhausted first by a child psychiatrist before considering any form of medication.

andrew1950

The continuing confusion over adhd is because it is treated as an illness and not a genuine human profile that the person is born with..Where it goes astray is the risk factors that distort it and can lead to serious mental complications. Speaking as a formally identified person with a detailed written diagnostic picture ( profiling done outside Ireland by Professional with 25 yrs Clinical experience of ADHD) I am amazed at the Myth, Half truths and totally;) false picture being painted of ADHD by people who should be more open to educating themselves about this profile.