From 1994 to 2001 the prescription of drugs for adolescent mental illness rose an amazing sixty percent. This is a trend I have watched over my years as a therapist. There has been an increasing reliance on medications to treat numerous behavioral symptoms presented by children. In an article recently published in the Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, the authors suggest that the majority of psychotropic drugs prescribed to children have not been tested for specific use with children. These are adult drugs being used to treat childhood issues. The authors also suggested that many of these drugs have only shown limited short-term benefits in use with adults, but as a practitioner I am seeing these medicines prescribed for two and three years at a time. There has been little to no research examining the impact of such long-term use on the growth and development of the children using the medicines.
I should be clear that I believe there are times for the use of psychotropic medicines with children. When children are severely depressed and at risk for self-harm, medicines can offer some help. I have also seen some medicines help with children who are having frequent angry explosions that result in risk of harm to themselves or others. Medicines can help "temper the tantrums" until the child can develop skills to verbalize and express their feelings in more appropriate ways.
The research presented in this recent article should give parents reason to proceed cautiously when pursuing medicinal intervention with their children. I would like to offer some suggestions from my perspective as a family therapist.
1. Seek immediate evaluation if your child is expressing suicidal thoughts or feelings. Have them talk to their therapist or take them to their doctor/hospital for evaluation.
2. Read and study about any medicines your doctor is suggesting for your child. Ask about side effects, is this medicine approved for use with children, and how long does the doctor anticipate the use of the medicine.
3. Engage a qualified therapist to help you and your child. Research is pretty clear that intervention with medicines alone is pretty ineffective. Most studies suggest that some combination of therapy with medicines is the most effective approach.
4. Consider other lifestyle changes that might help. This might include changes in diet and exercise. Eating healthy and reducing stress can be very helpful. Research has consistently shown that families that spend increased time together have deeper and richer relationships that provide meaning and reduce overall stress.
I should be clear that I believe there are times for the use of psychotropic medicines with children. When children are severely depressed and at risk for self-harm, medicines can offer some help. I have also seen some medicines help with children who are having frequent angry explosions that result in risk of harm to themselves or others. Medicines can help "temper the tantrums" until the child can develop skills to verbalize and express their feelings in more appropriate ways.
The research presented in this recent article should give parents reason to proceed cautiously when pursuing medicinal intervention with their children. I would like to offer some suggestions from my perspective as a family therapist.
1. Seek immediate evaluation if your child is expressing suicidal thoughts or feelings. Have them talk to their therapist or take them to their doctor/hospital for evaluation.
2. Read and study about any medicines your doctor is suggesting for your child. Ask about side effects, is this medicine approved for use with children, and how long does the doctor anticipate the use of the medicine.
3. Engage a qualified therapist to help you and your child. Research is pretty clear that intervention with medicines alone is pretty ineffective. Most studies suggest that some combination of therapy with medicines is the most effective approach.
4. Consider other lifestyle changes that might help. This might include changes in diet and exercise. Eating healthy and reducing stress can be very helpful. Research has consistently shown that families that spend increased time together have deeper and richer relationships that provide meaning and reduce overall stress.
"Children and Psychotropic Medication: A Cautionary Note." James P. Morris; George Stone. Journal of Marital & Family Therapy; Published Online: October 29, 2009 (DOI: 10.1111/j.1752-0606.2009.00178.x).
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