The Medicalization of Childhood?

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

Generally speaking I think it's ridiculous how people are so eager to take a pill to supposedly solve their (non) problems. Aren't they saying that 60% of kids have ADD now?

I don't know who "they" might be, but I've never seen or heard a figure -- at least from a reputable source -- higher than 10%.

Our son is on two different medications for ADHD. We tried everything we could think of before going the medicine route. We didn't consider medication until we had a diagnosis from a psychologists based on two days' worth of testing and extensive reports from us and teachers. After a horrible reaction to the first medicine we tried (depression) our pediatrician referred us to a pediatric neurologist, whom we see every 3 months to check on things. We consider the use of these medicines to be an aid while he develops other skills and coping mechanisms, not a permanent solution.

I'm in no way denying that overmedication happens or that some parents are sure their kids need drugs and shop around until they find a doctor willing to prescribe them. But I'm a bit bothered when the reaction to that is to slam the use of these medications or doubt the need for AD(H)D medications in children altogether. That's an overreaction that can foster an environment of shaming the kid who truly do need these medicines or dismissing what they deal with as not really real.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

That's an overreaction that can foster an environment of shaming the kid who truly do need these medicines or dismissing what they deal with as not really real.

Some consider prescribing medicines to children to be an overreaction that shames kids into thinking that their mere existence is problematic.

What is the middle ground?

The average family can barely afford medical services and neither has the time nor the money to seek different medical opinions. This is especially the case for foster children. I refuse to believe that so many children actually need these prescriptions. The prescription drug industry has boomed in the past 20 years. A review of the history of illicit and prescription drugs speaks to the different reasons for such a boom, including capitalism.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

The average family can barely afford medical services and neither has the time nor the money to seek different medical opinions. This is especially the case for foster children. I refuse to believe that so many children actually need these prescriptions. The prescription drug industry has boomed in the past 20 years. A review of the history of illicit and prescription drugs speaks to the different reasons for such a boom, including capitalism.

I think these are valid points, and I think they point to bigger problems. And I'll also agree that as a culture we've bought into the promise of pills fixing everything.

But still, I think the conversation needs to be about the problem of overprescribing, not about the terribleness of prescribing at all. Sometimes, it is appropriate.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

I think these are valid points, and I think they point to bigger problems. And I'll also agree that as a culture we've bought into the promise of pills fixing everything.

But still, I think the conversation needs to be about the problem of overprescribing, not about the terribleness of prescribing at all. Sometimes, it is appropriate.

Prescribing at all is arguably overprescribing if we are talking about a 4 year old, for example.

Prescribing at all is arguably overprescribing if we are talking about adults and children who may not have the conditions that they have been diagnosed with.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

Prescribing at all is arguably overprescribing if we are talking about a 4 year old, for example.

Prescribing at all is arguably overprescribing if we are talking about adults and children who may not have the conditions that they have been diagnosed with.

I agree, but look at what PiKA2001 said, which is what I was responding to:

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

Generally speaking I think it's ridiculous how people are so eager to take a pill to supposedly solve their (non) problems. Aren't they saying that 60% of kids have ADD now? I'm waiting for the day they start putting Ritalin in the water supply along side fluoride (which by the way is being blamed by some for causing health problems. You apply fluoride, you dont ingest it). I suffer from depression and I've yet to take any anti-depressants or any other mind altering chemicals to "fix" me.

The underlying message here is that any medication in and of itself is bad, whether needed or not. There is also the underlying message that AD(H)D may be a non-problem. Sure, too many people label some kids as having it without any basis, but that doesn't mean that some kids actually do deal with it and are sometimes significantly affected by it.

I think it's great when anyone can manage AD(H)D, depression or other issues without any medications. I truly do. And when possible, I think that should be the goal. But some people can't do that, either in the long-term or in the short term while they develop other strategies for dealing.

I will readily agree that overprescribing -- prescribing medicines for children or adults who don't need them -- is a wrong and is a problem. But I think it is equally wrong and problematic to under-prescribe -- to not provide medicines that are needed and are helpful.

[PiKA2001]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

The underlying message here is that any medication in and of itself is bad, whether needed or not. There is also the underlying message that AD(H)D may be a non-problem. Sure, too many people label some kids as having it without any basis, but that doesn't mean that some kids actually do deal with it and are sometimes significantly affected by it.

I think it's great when anyone can manage AD(H)D, depression or other issues without any medications. I truly do. And when possible, I think that should be the goal. But some people can't do that, either in the long-term or in the short term while they develop other strategies for dealing.

I will readily agree that overprescribing -- prescribing medicines for children or adults who don't need them -- is a wrong and is a problem. But I think it is equally wrong and problematic to under-prescribe -- to not provide medicines that are needed and are helpful.

No, thats not what I'm saying at all. If you have high cholesterol there's nothing wrong with taking medication to lower it but a doctor isn't going to prescribe meds there because he thinks you may or has a hunch that you have high cholesterol. He's going to actually draw blood and test the level of lipids or whatever it is they check. I feel the attitude is completely different when it comes to psychological disorders especially when your family practitioner or care provider might only have 5-10 minutes for diagnosing and coming up with treatment plans for the patient.

I'm also not saying that ADD or ADHD is a non issue but I do believe it's over diagnosed and over exposed and someone putting their kid on meds for it just because he goes nuts after slamming a Mt. Dew is absurd.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

No, thats not what I'm saying at all. If you have high cholesterol there's nothing wrong with taking medication to lower it but a doctor isn't going to prescribe meds there because he thinks you may or has a hunch that you have high cholesterol. He's going to actually draw blood and test the level of lipids or whatever it is they check. I feel the attitude is completely different when it comes to psychological disorders especially when your family practitioner or care provider might only have 5-10 minutes for diagnosing and coming up with treatment plans for the patient.

I'm also not saying that ADD or ADHD is a non issue but I do believe it's over diagnosed and over exposed and someone putting their kid on meds for it just because he goes nuts after slamming a Mt. Dew is absurd.

My sincere apologies for reading more into your post than you intended. I see what you're saying, and don't really disagree. I noted above that we had a few days of testing, and reports from numerous sources, that the psychologist conducted and reviewed before providing a diagnosis. I think that's how it should work, and I would also have a problem with either a diagnosis or a prescription based on a a 10 minute session and anecdotal evidence.

And ditto what AXOMom said -- we've found that a Diet Mt. Dew or Coke can very helpful. (You get the caffeine without the sugar that way.) And now son has discovered coffee.

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

No, thats not what I'm saying at all. If you have high cholesterol there's nothing wrong with taking medication to lower it but a doctor isn't going to prescribe meds there because he thinks you may or has a hunch that you have high cholesterol. He's going to actually draw blood and test the level of lipids or whatever it is they check. I feel the attitude is completely different when it comes to psychological disorders especially when your family practitioner or care provider might only have 5-10 minutes for diagnosing and coming up with treatment plans for the patient.

I'm also not saying that ADD or ADHD is a non issue but I do believe it's over diagnosed and over exposed and someone putting their kid on meds for it just because he goes nuts after slamming a Mt. Dew is absurd.

You'd be surprised.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

I don't know who "they" might be, but I've never seen or heard a figure -- at least from a reputable source -- higher than 10%.

I think you're right in terms of formal/official diagnoses. Informal/unofficial diagnoses may be a different story.