You Need to See This.

I watched a very impactful, very disturbing, very important documentary tonight. And you all need to see it for yourself too, especially if you are a parent or if you have children in your life. It is a documentary entitled "The Medicated Child" and it basically outlines the complex issue of medicating children for psychiatric disorders. Here is the link, and you can watch the entire documentary online: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/medicatedchild/?campaign=pbshomefeatures_2_frontlinebrthemedicatedchild_2008-01-08.

This is such an important discussion to have. As a society and as a psychological profession, we have increased our diagnosis of disorder while decreasing the range of behaviors that we consider "normal." While this issue is far too complex to unpack here, I feel a strong responsibility to do my part in educating people and empowering people to educate themselves about all sides of this issue. While there is a lot of controversial information out there related to this trend, here are the facts:

1) We have seen a monumental increase in the diagnosis of psychiatric disorders among children in the past decade, particularly in the areas of bipolar disorder, ADHD, and autism. There are many factors that contribute to this trend.

2) We have seen an increasing tendency to treat childhood psychiatric disorders with medication. Often, medication is seen as an end-all treatment itself, without any counseling or education to go along with it. AND, this is key.....WE DON'T HAVE RESEARCH about the side effects of these medications when used with developing brains.

3) Many of the research studies that have documented the efficacy of drug treatment for child psychiatric disorders are supported by various drug manufacturers. Who, obviously, in turn, benefit financially when doctors prescribe their medications to the children in their practices. Do you see the conflict of interest? This is wrong. It is unethical. And it needs to be stopped.

4) We need to be better educated as parents and as a society. Just because words come from medical experts, we should not accept them as truth. We need to use the critical thinking minds that God has given us. If something doesn't fit, ask questions. If you don't agree with your child's diagnosis or treatment, seek a second opinion....or a third or a fourth......follow your parental instinct. You know your child best.

Are there many children out there with legitimate psychiatric disorders who need medication treatment? A resounding YES. But has this issue been abused, leaving many families and children confused and, even worse, susceptible to side effects that may leave lasting neurological and emotional devastation? YES. The parents in this video are fighting a difficult fight, but it's one that needs to be fought. While I have never been in the shoes of a parent making medication decisions for their own children, I have worked with hundreds of families who have been in that position. I have witnessed their confusion and agony and resignation.....and, thank the Lord, I have been able to work with them toward hope and renewal and a regained sense of love and respect for their children.

Here is the bottom line: Find a psychological expert and a medical doctor who you can trust. To whom you can ask the hard questions. Who really listens to you. Who takes time to know--REALLY KNOW--your child. If you are the parent of a child needing psychological treatment, do not accept medication as the only treatment. Get involved with a skilled counselor who can help you with behavioral and cognitive strategies that may reduce or eliminate the need for medication.

This documentary is excellent. It left me sitting on the couch in tears. It is really why I am in child mental health services. To give children, parents and families hope that help is out there and that psychological challenges do not have to mean a lifetime of insurmountable pain. While shocking, the contents of the documentary give me hope that I am making a difference and that more skilled, competent, compassionate mental health service providers are desperately needed. I will show this to every one of my students this semester, for they are the next generation of child and family psychologists. Our children deserve the best, and deserve to be cared for by the best team of professionals.

Please.....watch this documentary. It will likely open your eyes and change your life.