jtee

This is from PBS Frontline series where they investigated the pro/cons for medicating kids to control various behavior problems. In some case you can see that medication is the parent's last and only hope, in other cases, parents want to drug their normal, yet very active kids, simply to compensate for their lack of patiences and parenting skills.

PBS - frontline: medicating kids: watch the program

HappyMomma

Jtee, you really know how to push my buttons. This is an issue I feel pretty stongly about.

I do believe there are cases where medication is truly needed, but I also feel medication is grossly over-prescribed. Messing with children's brain chemistry is a very dangerous thing.

Is there a transcript of this? I don't have sound on my work computer.

__________________
The quickest way for a parent to get a child's attention is to sit down and look comfortable.
~Lane Olinghouse

jtee

I'll see if I can find a transcript. I watched it on PBS a few nights ago, so you might be able to find airing locally. Otherwise, the entire program can be viewed on-line.

HappyMomma

I may have to watch it when I get home.

Just recently (sparked from a discussion in another thread) I compiled a list of violent crimes (mainly school shootings) perpertrated by children and googled to find how many of those children were on psyche drugs... Pretty scary stuff.

__________________
The quickest way for a parent to get a child's attention is to sit down and look comfortable.
~Lane Olinghouse

jtee

No on-line transcripts, they can be ordered.

Here is the main page for that Frontline episode: frontline: medicating kids | PBS

budnkota

there are definately a lot of instances where kids are being drugged because it is easier for mommy and daddy (and the teachers), but there are also a lot of kids who seriously need this stuff to be able to function.

Remember my post about the dead babies? Guess who's father was on behavior meds and apparently didn't take them?

I think we also need to figure out what is causing these problems in the first place, because I don't remember there being any of these kids when I was in school (except my brother, who was very premature and had some birth trauma). Something's changed in our world. and I tend to think it's a combination of many factors that are leading to this problem... which then means it's harder to pinpoint..

jtee

The gist of what frontline had to say was that even the best doctors have no idea how mood & behavior drugs will effect kids long terms because the brain is still developing. In 20 years, we'll likely know that certain drugs have serious long term side effects.

I don't like the use of drugs, but there are very good parents who are dealing with serious/extreme behavior problems where the right drug is their only hope for their child to have life that doesn't require 24 hour monitoring, and that includes sleeping in the same room with the doors locked and unbreakable windows.

HappyMomma

I completely agree that there are cases that require medication. I met a girl that truly had ADHD and it was absolutely heartbreaking. It is very apparent when there is a true problem. Upon talking with her mother, I found that she was on meds and off meds and neither was really the best solution. She was really struggling with how to get the condition under control.

At the same time, I also see so many that are prescribed at the drop of a hat... before trying counseling... before trying a change in diet... before ruling out other factors. Including school systems declaring "your child gets meds or they don't come back to school." Now that frightens me.

__________________
The quickest way for a parent to get a child's attention is to sit down and look comfortable.
~Lane Olinghouse

jtee

I hope you have a chance to watch the frontline episode because the deal with issue, and you are correct, some parent and doctors are way to quick to start giving kids pills because it is quicker and simpler.

Even if a drug works, I still wonder if it right choice when a non drug options have not been tried. What I don't like a about drugs is that it stops behavior and the child then doesn't develope the skills\ability to control that behavior without the use of drugs. Most people learn how to deal with stress/problems because they had to deal with it. Giving kids drugs (other than extreme cases) can keep kids from developing self control and other skills.

HappyMomma

Very good point. Coping skills are extremely important in life.

You know the ironic thing is that in the cases where the parents just don't want to deal with the behavior so they medicate them are very likely causing the problem by not spending time with them, giving them enough attention, etc.

__________________
The quickest way for a parent to get a child's attention is to sit down and look comfortable.
~Lane Olinghouse