No Child Left Undrugged

According to autopsy reports, 4-year-old Rebecca Riley died from an overdose of psychiatric drugs. At age 2, Rebecca was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). At 3, she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression. By the time she died on Dec. 13, 2006, little Rebecca was taking Clonidine, as well as the anti-convulsant Depakote and the anti-psychotic Seroquel.

What were some of the symptoms that prompted such treatment plans? As her mother described it, Rebecca was "constantly getting into things, running around, not being able to settle down."

Rebecca's diagnosis was not a medical aberration. Her 10-year-old brother and 4-year-old sister were already being treated for manic depression. Indeed, nearly one million children are reportedly diagnosed as bipolar, making it more common than autism and diabetes combined. From 1994 to 2003, the number of children treated for bipolar disorder increased 40 percent, a jump that many experts attribute to more doctors aggressively applying the diagnosis.

An increasing number of medical officials are voicing the concern that children are being misdiagnosed. Dr. John McClellan, who runs a children's psychiatric hospital in the state of Washington, suggested that the bipolar diagnosis has become a catch-all for aggressive and troubled children.

Likewise, child psychiatrist John Holttum believes that the definition of bipolar disorder is expanding. Whereas children who were seen as troubled or irritable 10 or 15 years ago might have been treated with counseling, parental training for their caregivers or other social interventions, children with similar symptoms today are being diagnosed as bipolar and treated with medication. Unfortunately, for many families, therapy is not even an option. According to Dr. Michael Brody, a child psychiatrist at the University of Maryland, since insurance companies often do not support therapy, most parents opt for medication.

Not surprisingly, the pharmaceutical companies are reaping the rewards, aided by the medical community and the media. Bipolar disorder medication is typically three to five times more expensive than medications prescribed for other disorders, such as depression or anxiety. As the News Tribune of Tacoma, Wash., points out, "Furthering the trend is extensive marketing of atypical anti-psychotics by the companies that make them, and media coverage of bipolar disorder as a childhood disease."

Yet many of the anti-psychotic drugs being prescribed for children have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use on them. Of the two that have been approved for children, Risperdahl and Abilify, they've only been approved for short-term use. Nevertheless, as the News Tribune points out, because these drugs have been approved for adults, "doctors are free to prescribe drugs to anyone and in any way they see fit once they have been approved for some purpose."

What this means is that in addition to being misdiagnosed, there is an increased likelihood that children are also being overdrugged. Concern about this scenario has prompted Dr. Jeffrey Thompson, chief medical officer for the Washington state Medicaid program, to provide more stringent guidelines to ensure that anti-psychotic drugs are prescribed to Medicaid children only when truly needed and at proper dosages.

While Thompson's actions signal a move in the right direction, at least for minor-aged Medicaid recipients in his state, it will do little to help children in private care and in other states.

When confronted with the numbers of children being diagnosed with bipolar disorder -- about 800,000 in 2003, and likely much higher now -- it is hard to know how to respond. Could that many young people truly be suffering from this disorder? It is tempting to lay the blame on an over-zealous medical community or a greedy pharmaceutical industry. There is no doubt that they have benefited financially from the sharp rise in bipolar cases among young people.

Is it more a case of kids just being kids -- noisy, rambunctious, hyperactive, disorderly? Or is there something else going on here? Curiously, one study released in 2007 indicated that among children diagnosed with bipolar disorder, two-thirds of them were boys.

While there are undeniably cases where children are actually suffering and are helped by diagnosis and medication, I have to wonder about the majority. Little is said in the studies I have read about the impact that family life and the environment may have on the behavior of children diagnosed as bipolar, or even ADHD, yet they can't be ruled out.

Society as a whole has become irresponsible in its duty to young people. Obsessed with materialism, we have handed over our young people to marketing mavens and corporations eager to make a quick buck. Distracted by entertainment, we have relinquished our children to television babysitters, allowing them to become turned on by and tuned into mindless television programs, video games and advertising that promote violence and premarital sex, among other unhealthy behaviors. Children need human touch and love. All too often, parents give them over to others for care. They also leave them floating in the non-real world of virtual reality.

Thus, it is little wonder that so many children are out of control, disorderly and unable to settle down. But they shouldn't be victimized and punished for our neglect. Nor should they be drugged into compliance. Our children are screaming for help, but we're not listening to what they're saying. Instead, many parents are just hoping to shut them up -- whether with drugs or entertainment -- and get a little peace and quiet. But that's not the answer.

A solution will not be found by passing another law. Rather, it must start at home and in the community. When the family breaks down, everything breaks down. We need to start by re-building families. Parents need to be parents and stop over-scheduling their children. They need to start spending time with them.

Finally, parents need to say no to drugs for their children. They need to control what their children watch and listen to. And they need to take off the headphones, turn off the cell phones and try communicating with their children.

Comments

[dadw5boys]

O know one entire family who is on these drugs. ALL THE KIDS ARE ON ADD MEDS OR ADHD MEDS and MOM IS ON ZOLOFT AND DAD ON PAXIL.

ISN'T THIS ILLEGAL??

Shouldn't there be someone in the household with a clear mind???

[msfiskvletterman]

6/10/08
3:55pm
UofO

When my older son was in elementary school I was called in for a meeting with teachers and the principal. They were sure that my son had ADD and should be medicated. I said that he seemed fine at home. They insisted so I told them that he had been injured at birth and that maybe the injury had caused some kind of brain damage. I asked if they would testify for me because I would sue the hospital.
They changed their minds about their "diagnosis."

And by the way, I had him tested by his pediatrician and a pediatric neurologist--both said my son was perfectly normal.

[msfiskvletterman]

6/10/08
7:57pm
UofO

I meant ADHD when I wrote ADD above. I was told that my son was hyperactive.

I should mention that my son could also have been described as "constantly getting into things, running around, not being able to settle down" sometimes. He was a 6-year-old. That is normal for a 6-year-old sometimes--more often for a 2-year-old and a 4-year-old. I knew that because I had three older children.
ALL 2-year-olds can be described as "constantly getting into things, running around, not being able to settle down" sometimes. This is normal. We love them, anyway.

[blackchaps]

We'd really like to talk to our kids, but we're too busy working 2 or 3 jobs to pay for gasoline and groceries.

[Boobaloo]

Bi-Polar is the new Multiple Personality Disorder that was all the rage in the 90s.

I wish these stupid and reckeless celebrities & talk show hosts would STFU about bi-polar, it's like they want everyone to be mentally ill to justify their own choice to be medicated.

It would be IMPOSSIBLE to diagnose a CHILD as bipolar; what an absurd nation we are, diagnosing childhood as mental illness and then inflicting young children to powerful mind altering drugs. Psychiatry has become on of the most immoral, unethical and unscientific runaway machines in the field of medicine;everytime a child demonstrates defiance or hyperactivity incompetent teachers and irresponsible parents medicate the poor kid within an inch of their lives.

Rebecca's mother and her psychiatrist should be in jail for manslaughter. Why are we the only nation in the world who is so profoundly mentally ill that we're on anti-psychotics from childhood?

Great article.

[shagawa]

Recently, a child neurologist wrote a scathing article about pyschiatrists and MDs who prescribe psychotropic drugs to children. He named names. One of the names, Dr. Biederman an influential leader in child psychiatry, was featured in the NYT on Sunday for failing to report that he took $1.6 million in pharma consulting fees. See both here. http://www.fleshandstone.net/healthandsciencenews/bipolar.html

[ThinkForYourself2]

Because no one else will say it, I will.

Putting poison into a child is abuse and is enough to have that child removed from your home. Psychiatric drugs are poisons and if you think it isn't poison then you need to take a look at the side effects again. The warnings on the bottles are not there for decoration. A temporary euphoria or numbness is not a benefit that outweighs the risk of irreparable harm or even death.

Why do some individuals think that because these poisons are passed out by people in white coats that they are any different than what you get on the street?


http://www.breggin.com/

[TheQuestion]

This article appears to be more of a knee jerk reaction than a real studied observation. Usually these things seem to be written by people with little or no experiance with these types of children.

It may be that there are some errors in judgement being made here - but I'd bet there are more on target that off target decision being made on these issues.

[newjerseybadger]

The story described here is horrific, and points to the need to pay careful attention to any case where psychotropic medication is recommended for a child. It does _not_ justify taking the stance that all drugs are bad for all children.
My son has Asperger's Syndrome (AS), and two years ago he was voicing suicidal thoughts because of his frustration with dealing with the world. After some time, we decided to try medication with Fluoxetine (Prozac). The suicidal thoughts stopped immediately, he became much happier and more willing to try to face school every day (despite the fact that the other kids in his class mock and shun him for his AS-related behaviors). "Drugs", psychotropic medication, are definitely indicated in some of the cases where children are exhibiting symptoms of mental illness that don't go away over a moderate amount of time. Not all cases, by any means... but some.

[pompous]

I am still stunned by Rebecca's mother. The way she described Rebecca depicted a normal child. I can't believe this woman did not see the behavior of getting into things, running around and being unsettled as normal toddler behavior. I agree with "confusedandinfuriated." Children are overscheduled. It seems as if parents are stunned that their children require work. Rearing children is like the beginning of a new romance. The moment you first see them it is entirely love at first sight. As they begin to grow into their own person parents become stunned at the responsibility and suddenly that romantic notion fades away with hard reality. There is no question that parents love their children but daily discipline is tiring and trying. These drugs are not the answer.

[confusedandinfuriated]

Great article, thanks. I think we need to step back and take a good, hard look at where our society is going. The constant distraction of materialism, television, the internet, and video games, not to mention the over-scheduling with soccer and whatever the hell else, coupled with a diet of processed pseudo-foods has kids so stressed-out it's no wonder parents think they are deranged. They are deranged, and terribly unhealthy. However, pharmaceuticals are not the answer. Not sure exactly what is the answer, but it's not going to be found advertised on TV or prescribed by an HMO.

[SingingBird]

Thank you for bringing up something that I haven't seen help address the situation.....diet. It is no wonder children are out of control when the majority of their diet is processed food or food that is heavy in glutten, sugar, and dairy.

Parents that believe their children have ADHD or Biopolar should look into the studies coming out of diets used to address autism. Studies are now showing that a diet free of glutten and cow dairy improves autism in 8 out of 10 cases. That is pretty significant.

In addition, parents should read up on Candida...I highly recommend a book called Body Ecology. It basically discusses Candida and how a bad diet brings about candida, the signs and how to rid the body of Candida. What a lot of people don't realize (and I didn't until I was diagnosed with Candida) is that the bacteria in your gut gets out of balance creating an environment for bad bacteria to flourish. Once that happens it attacks your gut, your GI system and then uses your blood to travel to other parts of your body and wreak havoc. Candida can cause depression, achne, general aches and pains, eye issues, etc.

Additionally, if you have Candida and don't realize it you are deficient in nutrients and minerals because your body can't process the food in your GI system properly.

[SingingBird]

(Cont'd)

The real scam is that diet can help bring about positive change/wellness in so many areas and modern the majority of modern medicine ignores it. Our bodies were created to be a self healing system when in balance. Use diet to bring your body to balance and let your body work on itself.

[ThinkForYourself2]

ADHD drugs have been around for a long time. They're called "SPEED" on the streets but at your psychiatrist's office their called "treatment" for you or your child. They're also his/her next mortgage payment. This particular brand of drugs has created many a junkie. It's not tough to do considering that these drugs are classified as the most dangerously addictive drugs ever created that can cause irreparible physical, mental and spiritual harm. Before you drug your own kids or yourself with these or any drugs because you see an ad or a "news" story, aka pharmaceutical press release, which convinces you it was a good idea....................

DON'T!

As far as anti-depressants go..., we'll if any drug makes you want to kill yourself, it probably shouldn't be called an anti-depressant don't you think?

95% or more of psychiatry is evil and based on complete lies. The sooner you realize that, the better off you'll be.

http://www.breggin.com/

[Cha]

Gonna have to stop you here on the anti-depressant having suicidal thoughts as side-effects thing. What goes on in a depressed person beginning treatment is they begin to feel better about themselves, or situation in life, or whatever was the problem to begin with. BUT, But, they are not all-together well yet. Things are still wonky for them, they still experience the pain of suffering and despair but they at that point are feeling able to do something about it. That is where the suicidal thoughts come into play. You don't feel horrible but you still feel bad, except now you have the strength to go through with what you couldn't before.
I know, been through it.

[anfractuous]

Having your life scripted and managed is generally what you have to look forward to as an adult, so these kids might as well get used to it as early as possible; even if they have to be drugged into submission.
Any parent that doesn't raise their child in a cubicle is only inviting future adjustment problems.

[rupert12]

This story makes me sick to my stomach. Under no circumstances should toddlers be given psychiatric drugs, ever. There is something egregiously wrong with the psychiatric profession if this type of behavior is considered acceptable.
A 3 year old with bipolar disorder? Please. Common sense alone says that's a BS diagnosis. She's 3 years old for chrissakes!
We as a society need to protect our children. If this little girl had overdosed on alcohol, pain killers, or cocaine people would be in jail. The only difference here is the drugs were prescribed by a licensed "doctor", albeit an extremely stupid one.
It's high time we as a society put down the drugs and started to look at the real source of our problems, the environment in which we live.

[sheila]

environmental poisons (largely from plastics and hormones in foods) are wreaking havoc on childrens' hormones, so it's no wonder some of them are exhibiting extra aggression/depression. there is no such thing as a "free lunch," and we have been poisoning the earth for the past century to "enhance" our lives - this is but one of the prices we are paying.

clean, organic, and sweatshop-free are the only way to go. and consume about 10% of what you think you want to...

[TheDisenchanted]

I know I was misdiagnosed in college as I went in for insomnia and came out being bipolar. I was still young and naive enough to believe doctors held themselves to a code of honor rather the dollar of the pharmaceutical companies. After feeling awful on everykind of pill they threw at me, I took matters into my own hands and quit taking the pills. I remained on some over-the-counter sleeping pills, but I gradually transitioned to becoming an organic vegetarian, working out everyday, and watching only an hour or two of TV everyday. I can now sleep naturally and feel healthy than ever, however, my medical history continues to haunt my life as my Peace Corps application was rejected based on my medical history. While I know some people may actually need drugs to function normally, please explore all other avenues before taking these pills when they may not be needed and can prevent you from being able to do things that may enrich your lives.

[zaneblue]

This is caused by malnutrition, not bipolar disorder. Children are not getting enough omega-3 fatty acids. This malnutrition contributes to childhood bipolar disorder, autism, and ADHD

If the mainstream media emphasized this proven fact and doctors prescribed daily fish oil or cod liver oil instead of psychiatric pharmaceuticals, this problem would diminish, without the need for counselling or therapy. Of course counselling and therapy are also good, but not always within financial reach of parents.

[Chrisallalone]

My daughter takes omega-3s every day -- but she still has Asperger Syndrome, a relative of autism. In response to what Mr. Whitehead says, I've always cared for her myself rather than farming her out to others, and my time has been my children's time for more than a decade -- but she still has AS.

I don't really take issue with either what zaneblue says or what Whitehead says, as far as they go, and I think it's essential that our children be well nourished, well cared for, and well loved. But while I agree that pharmaceuticals aren't the answer, I'm afraid that all the love, attention, and fish oil in the world don't provide simple solutions for what is so sadly broken in so many of our children.

[wolfgangmo]

It must be hard on you and your daughter sometimes, but keep a smile on your face. I have a mild form of aspergers and I am doing fine now. I even excel at work because the flip side of being unfocused is that when I do focus it is like a laser beam - that can make me very productive.

Cheers

[blueraven]

I take fish oils every day. I am an adult. I have ADHD and still need Strattera to think straight. The omega-3 connection is not the entire story, and I dearly wish people would stop acting like it is.

[wolfgangmo]

True BlueRaven,

But there is a huge incidence of over prescribing. Do you really think that the number of kids being given highly dangerous psychotropic drugs are getting them because they are suffering from a deficiency in Prozac?

Omega-3's [along with Omega 6's and 9's] are missing in any commercial processed diet unless supplemented. That means that almost all kids in America don't get this important nutrient for brain development and function.

Try to think of it as a baseline, a basically non harmful thing that can be tried before drugs are. That will at least weed out the kids and adults who have an easily treatable nutritional deficiency. And if they still have problems then further work is needed.

If you want to find a qualified doctor who is trained in how nutrition effects the body then go the the America Association of Naturopathic Physicians and get a referral.

I see one for my ADHD and I went when the entire Omega thing wasn't working for me. My Doc was able to find other causes and get me off the drugs. It is wonderful to be able to think straight and not have any drug causes side effects.

Good luck.