over medicating our children?

[dave1215]

lots of new mental diagnoses
are good for drug companies
and increase physician visits

but is the massive increase in medication
good for our children's long term health?


The Medicated Child | FRONTLINE | PBS

[nomuse]

I'm grateful for a pediatrician reluctant to recommend medication as a first response and two kids for whom there's been very limited reason to discuss mental issues. I play programmer for an IRB, the federally mandated, local committees that review and approve human subjects research. On one hand, I understand the need to research and test in pediatric populations — though said testing seems as though it ought to be conducted in a structured, scientific manner. On the other hand, if I were the parent of a child who had exhausted all standard avenues of care, I suspect that I'd grasp at any straw that promised the possibility of helping with the problem.

[Chad]

Our pediatrician is/was hesitant to give out even antibiotics, frutstrating as a young parent when I thought there was a "pill" for everything. Now I understand and believe my kids are healthiier as a result.

Drugs are big money.

[chasea]

.....