Should Kids be Medicated?

I came across this video of a 6-year-old girl diagnosed with schizophrenia and it got me thinking. In general, people are hesitant to medicate kids for psychiatric disorders, but her case seems more extreme than the norm.

What do you think?

Should kids be medicated?

Yes, even those without psychiatric diagnoses.  Ungrateful brats.

Aren't kids already medicated like crazy for ADD? Even those that don't have it?

I think it is a personal decision.  I choose not to medicate my child for bipolar disorder and OCD.

I think medication should be a last resort in any case, child or adult (but especially with kids). I don't even like taking Tylenol.  But that's just me. I think the trend of medicating kids for ADD when they aren't even sure they have it is ridiculous. If your kid has ADD and you have tried other ways of managing it and nothing works, fine. But if your kid is just disobedient and disruptive in class, there are some underlying issues that need to be worked out.

Original Post by dnrothx:

Yes, even those without psychiatric diagnoses.  Ungrateful brats.

 LOL and adults too. Viva Prozac Nation, viva!

Original Post by hayleymajayley:

I think medication should be a last resort in any case, child or adult (but especially with kids). I don't even like taking Tylenol.  But that's just me. I think the trend of medicating kids for ADD when they aren't even sure they have it is ridiculous. If your kid has ADD and you have tried other ways of managing it and nothing works, fine. But if your kid is just disobedient and disruptive in class, there are some underlying issues that need to be worked out.

 this.

Schizophrenia is very very rarely diagnosed in children, as it usually comes about in late teens/early twenties. I know this because, well, I have it. I never slipped into full psychosis as I occassionally had periods of time when I knew what was reality and I could look back on my episodes and say "that's not right". I was never medicated for it until I was 20, but I know for a fact if I had of been diagnosed when it started when I was about 16, it would have helped a lot. I've had severe clinical depression since I was twelve. Again, if I was medicated, it would have helped my life so much more. I would have done better in school, I would have WENT to school, I would have had more friends, and my life wouldn't have been just one giant ball of suicide attempts and self-injury and anxiety and hate.

I'm medicate dnow, and have been for three years.. but if my child was going through anything that even remotely shadowed what I was going through, I wouldn't hesitate to put him/her on medication.

I don't think you can truly appreciate it unless you've dealt with it firsthand.

My past still affects my life now. I'm socially awkward because I never got that bonding experience with people. It's getting better, but it's still hard. I think we owe it to our children to help them in any way possible.

Therapy first, if that doesn't help.. medication. Or both, if needed.

I think if the illness really interferes with their ability to live, they should be medicated. My brother had some.. strong?.. ADHD. He'll probably need to be medicated for the rest of his life, and has been medicated since he was 12. However, the medications DO help him live a more normal life.

Yes, I think if they have a legitimate problem (not just parents trying to calm down their supposed ADD) then they absolutely should. I developed an anxiety disorder at around 10 years old (panic attacks, sleepless nights, not eating, it was bad) and my mom got me on medication right away.

My philosophy on medication is this: You shouldn't have to spend every moment of the day trying to feel mentally normal. Sometimes you just need a little medical help. I'm on daily medication now and I have virtually zero symptoms. I get along with my life and handle stress like a normal person.

Just my 2 cents.

Yeah, Ashtray has it right.  A close family member of mine has an array of psychological issues (ADD, borderline personality disorder, sometimes paranoia, etc.), and trust me, medication combined with therapy is the only reason she's alive now. 

I have read many articles written by neuroscientists trying to uncover the neurochemical bases for diseases like these, and some evidence is surfacing that balancing brain chemistry can be the key to recovery.  I realize, of course, that it's a chicken-or-egg scenario, though: brain chemistry changes according to one's experiences and thoughts, which in turn change one's brain chemistry.  This is why I think cognitive-behavioral therapy is so promising!  I hate the idea of medication, but I am also fully convinced of its necessity in many cases.

I second ashtray. It's very, very, very rare for a child to be diagnosed with schizophrenia. It's usually 18-24 for a diagnosis. 

my experience with medication for depression was horrible. It helped initially, but made things worse in the long run. It took me 6 months to get off of it and stop the "withdrawal syndrome", and my trust in pharmaceuticals took a giant hit.

That is why I'd hesitate. Twice.

Original Post by vejitarian:

Original Post by dnrothx:

Yes, even those without psychiatric diagnoses.  Ungrateful brats.

 LOL and adults too. Viva Prozac Nation, viva!

 Hee hee - yes, this is what I thought as well!  Dose 'em heavy and let 'em watch TV!

Seriously, though, I think it is a decision that parents must take time to research and weigh benefits and side effects and see what will work for their children, and their family.  There are definitely cases where medication is the last ditch effort to give the kid a chance at a real life, and there are cases where kids receive medication that is unecessary and it harms them. 

Well, I medicated my son for his ADD.  My biggest concern was his schooling and it helped him greatly there, and also he was so impuslive that he would do things that endangered himself because he just didn't think them through. So partly it was for his own safety.  

By the time he hit puberty it had gotten a lot better and he hasn't taken meds since then.  Although at 25 sometimes I still think he needs it. 

My daughter takes meds for her depression and anxiety.   I can tell you that if she didn't she would likely be dead or hospitalized for her own protection.  On the meds she is okay, without them she is suicidal. 

Sim, as I'm sure you're finding out, there is no cut and dried answer here. It depends on the kid, their pathology, the effects on their functioning, etc.

Should this kid be medicated? Heck yes.

Original Post by trustwomen:

Sim, as I'm sure you're finding out, there is no cut and dried answer here. It depends on the kid, their pathology, the effects on their functioning, etc.

Should this kid be medicated? Heck yes.

^I wholeheartedly agree

Original Post by simwaves1:

Original Post by trustwomen:

Sim, as I'm sure you're finding out, there is no cut and dried answer here. It depends on the kid, their pathology, the effects on their functioning, etc.

Should this kid be medicated? Heck yes.

^I wholeheartedly agree

So do I!    I'm on the fence about the whole ADD issue.  That's the parent's decision.. but this little girl - she needs meds.  Man, that was a heartbreaking story.

I had watched the video earlier but just now had the time to read the article.  Wow.  I feel terrible for this family.  My little one was five the first time she had to be admitted to the psych ward so I know how hard it is to deal with that.  Heartbreaking story.  If the medication helps her live a safer life, it is necessary. 

If medication truly helps, then why not? Science is always improving and I think we should take advantage of that. 

Up till about 6 months ago, I was very anti-any type of medication. Even tylenol and advil. Now my attitude has changed. I had very bad panic attacks, but they didn't happen all the time and they were very short. So I was still functional. I was very hesitant to go on medication, but once I did they almost disappeared completely. 

I also just recently started Adhd medication. It has really improved my focus and productiveness. 

I am also on the birth control pill, as I have endometriosis and terrible cramps. 

A lot of you probably think it is ridiculous for me to be any of these medications, but it really has helped me. So I'm all for them!!!

Original Post by crazydiamondchrysalis:

my experience with medication for depression was horrible. It helped initially, but made things worse in the long run. It took me 6 months to get off of it and stop the "withdrawal syndrome", and my trust in pharmaceuticals took a giant hit.

That is why I'd hesitate. Twice.

Actually, yeah I'm trying to get off of Zoloft now....hardest thing I've ever done. I almost wish I had never got on it. I seriously think these drug companies make them purposely addictive.