Antidepressant use by preschoolers rising

THE WASHINGTON TIMES ^ | April 3, 2004 | Joyce Howard Price

[StriperSniper]

Remember kiddies, SAY NO TO DRUGS!
(Unless they are the kind the government wants you to take.)

[Born in a Rage]

I think mostly it's teachers who recommend doctors who tell the parents that the child needs the medication, imho.

[dandelion]

Here is a link to an article I wrote for an online mag back in 2000. Because of this article, I was vilified as a "scientologist" (I am a conservative Christian), a charlatan (I am a degreed early childhood educator) and was threatened with lawsuit. I was AMAZED at the virulence of the ugly emails I received for writing that little children deserve the benefit of the doubt on this...

These folks definitely don't want anything interrupting the flow of the money.

NOTE: to avoid legal issues, this is an excerpt only, from a cached site. The original posting could not be found...

http://www.quest-iv-health.com/testimonials/chadd01.html

STOPPING THE ADD INSANITY: A CALL TO REVOLUTION

The ADD/ADHD pharmaceutical juggernaut is out of control - it is time for the classroom teacher to kill it.


There is nothing in the science of Early Childhood Education that can in any way endorse the systematic drugging of young children for any reason other than valid medical need to prevent harm. ADD (attention deficit disorder) has a set of symptoms popularly ascribed to it which are considered to be desirable and common to healthy active children worldwide. (These symptoms - inattentiveness, talking out of turn, fidgeting - are also seen frequently in people whose IQ is over 160.) Only in America, however, has the negativity surrounding common childhood behavior reached levels that could be classified as abusive, with the prescription of powerful drugs to control children who do not conform to rigid societal rules. ADD/ADHD itself has not been proven to be harmful to the children it purportedly affects, so logic dictates that powerful prescription drugs are far more harmful to children than the ADD itself. Look at the facts:


The Forgotten History of ADD


ADD is a relatively new disorder, having come into existence with the infamous "Factory School System" at the turn of the century, which was designed to create "good workers" for urban area industrial factories in Great Britain and the United States. At that time, the ideal worker considered to be submissive, diligent, conformist, and productive; therefore, the ideal student was considered to be compliant, quiet, and able to take instruction. The Eugenics Movement was a powerful influence in the creation of the Factory School System.


Many proponents of selective sterilization and breeding, looking to declare certain races and individuals as genetically superior, saw the Factory School as a field lab for validating their theories. Intelligence testing, norms, and deviancy studies were common in Factory Schools, and by these oppressive standards one such group was tested - aggressive, independent children. These children did not display the preferred characteristics, and were considered to be inferior; they were pronounced by George Fredrick Still in 1902 as "defective in moral character". Others described it as "Brain Damage", then "Minimal Brain Damage". It was attributed to varying organic causes, but all agreed that these children did not meet the new "ideal". Following World War II, the ideologies of the Eugenics Movement became unpopular, in large part due to the atrocities committed in the name of eugenics by Nazi Germany. But the eugenics philosophy was now status quo in the United States, and authorities were reluctant to relinquish their rigid ideas of normalcy; so new names were invented for the "Defective Moral Character". It was renamed "Hyperactivity" in the 1960's, and in 1980 became "Attention Deficit Disorder".


The Present Definition of ADD In November of 1998, a distinguished panel of 13 professionals from fields as diverse as psychology, psychiatry, neurology, pediatrics, epidemiology, biostatistics, and education met under the aegis of the National Institute of Health to try to reach a consensus regarding ADD and its treatment. The Consensus Development Conference Statement is the most reputable definition of Attention Deficit Order to date. The panel's own conclusion in the section, "What Is the Scientific Evidence To Support ADHD as a Disorder?" was this:


"As of yet, there is no independent valid test for ADHD. Although research has suggested a central nervous system basis for ADHD, further research is necessary to firmly establish ADHD as a brain disorder." Read that again. The most expert opinion available from the National Institute of Health has stated that there is NO INDEPENDENT VALID TEST FOR ADHD. No expert opinion is available to clearly define what ADD/ADHD truly is. Moreover, according to the panel, in the next phrase they confirm that ADHD is not firmly established as a brain disorder. What is it, then? The most clear statement by the panel is found in the next section, "What Is the Impact of ADHD on Individuals, Families, and Society?"

To read the next section: http://www.quest-iv-health.com/testimonials/chadd01.html

[cupcakes]

I would agree if you are talking about your average child who might be "depressed" because their parents don't give them enough time and attention. I would have to disagree with you though if we bring children with real neurological problems like autism or asperger's into the mix where loving parenting is often times outweighed by the uncontrollable side effects of a disabled neurological system. I do tend to agree though that things like ADD and ADHD and depression are probably grossly overdiagnosed though in a child that has no neurological disorders.

[cupcakes]

I wanted to add that even with my autistic son who is only 4, we are still giving it as much time as we can before we need to turn to medication to allow him to mature first.
I think each person would do well to try alternatives in parenting and even letting a child mature a bit first before they turn to meds.

[cupcakes]

I think you also probably have a teacher problem and way too much day care. When I first went to kindergarten, I wasn't happy about it. Only many years later did I find enjoyment in subjects I learned. How many kids enjoy going to school, especially if you have to take a bus? But I think giving this stuff to little kids borders on outrageous
____
You've never met my almost 6 yr old. This is a kid who truly loves going to school everyday. She doesn't take the bus though and her day is centered around Christ since she goes to a Christian school.

[M-cubed]

might be some truth in that..... http://www.nytimes.com/library/national/science/health/020100hth-behavior-depression.html

[getmeouttaPalmBeachCounty_FL]

[cyborg]

excellent article

BUMP to reread at home

[freeangel]

It's easier to medicate than parent. Doctors are even guiltier for prescribing these drugs for children instead of making the parents face realities. There are no pills available for learning to cope with life. These kids will never be able to cope with the real world.

[WV Mountain Mama]

Check for ADD in other coutries as well. I am sure our rates are much higher in that category.

[WV Mountain Mama]

My mother in law is the exact opposite. Anytime someone has something wrong, no matter what it is, she tells them they are suffering from depression, and need to get medication.

[neverdem]

Very interesting link, thank you.

[Aura Of The Blade]

Great post.

[Lizavetta]

I tend to think that 'chemical imbalances' in the brain and attention deficit' are manufactured ailments pushed relentlessly by the drug companies, the psych industry, and the schools.

Whoever came up with ADD/ADHD as a disorder was brilliant. Take the most common and annoying adolescent behaviors (not paying attention, being distracted, being defiant to authority, etc.), redefine them as symptoms of an illness (thus deflecting blame from crappy parenting and ineffective classroom control) and everyone's happy......the schools who make more off 'learning disabled' students, parents who can sedate their troublesome children with everyone's blessing, and the drug companies who make a fortune.

Except now America's kids are dopers who are using drugs for which it's not known the long term effects and for which the drug companies have hidden case studies of.

[Overtaxed]

But of course, the topic of nutrition is more inflammatory than religion and politics combined. Even here, I'm sure I'll get flamed.

You've got some nerve! :)

[Cogadh na Sith]

Zoloft helps me keep the razor off my wrist and the gunbarrel from my temple.

Looking back on it, I suffered the first bout of depression when I was about 13. The bouts got progressively worse until was faced with the choice of getting help or snuffing myself.

It was a real act of will and strength to finally ask for help, but it beats dying.

So, call me weak or whatever, but at least I'm still here.

I went off of it last year and did pretty well for about 6 months and then the demon returned. It's like having all of your survival instincts and beliefs turned against yourself--that not only would the 'pain' end, but everyone would be better off without you.

People say suicide is a selfish act, but I think that in the case of depression, the individual believes at that moment that not only are they the source of their own pain, but they cause pain to everyone around them--the only solution is self-slaughter.

So, to the morons who argue against antidepressants, I ask you: "Which is more cowardly and wrong: putting a bullet through my head, or taking a pill and living?"

That's what it comes down to.

[Lil'freeper]

Yeah, I know.

[M-cubed]

Wonderfully honest response...You show great strength in confronting your dilemma....God Bless you for understanding your self...I dont think this article was aimed at the drugs and legitimate use of them...There is no "right" answer...You've made a wise decision for yourself...

[IronJack]

Thanks.

Love your handle.