A major concern for children who are being treated with medications are that they are either being overprescribed or under prescribed (Rey & Sawyer, 2003). When prescribers have not had sufficient training in use of these medications, especially practicing on youth that are in underserved areas where access to prescribers with expertise in treating youth with psychopharmacology is extremely limited, they are at risk for being under or over prescribed. Medication may be overprescribed when there is insufficient attention paid to other supports and services that may benefit the youth, as well (American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry’s Committee on Community-Based Systems of Care [AACAP], 2012). Another major concern for those who …show more content…
One of the benefits, as with any medication, being that the earlier in a child’s life the disorder is controlled or managed, the sooner they can lead a normal life. Treatment with psychotropic medications allows these youth to remain in their homes and schools and make best use of community treatment interventions and natural supports (Parens & Johnston, 2008).Looking further in detail, medication may improve the child’s quality of sleep, reduce stress, may prevent death and suicide risks, and aid in the benefit they get from cognitive or behavioral therapy. All in all, these factors lead to the child having a normal life, as well as the parent (AACAP, …show more content…
The use of the medications can be beneficial in aiding cognitive and behavioral therapies, but the risks in general, and worse for young children, can be harmful, that with an effective alternative available ( cognitive and behavior therapy) it seems more apparent to try the safer alternative. There is the possibility that therapy does not produce successful results, in which case you would want to try medications. Often, therapy is not the first option used for children, and they are quick to be put on medication without trying the alternative, which can produce the same, if not more, benefits as medication without most harmful side
The dangers and possible harmful effects that these medications hold for a young child will not help the parents feel too convinced about the usage of medication. As stated in Time this month, “We know that kids are not just little adults, they metabolize medications differently” (Kluger, et al). Parents might feel scared or reluctant to administer medication after hearing assertions about the dangers. Parents worry enough about their kids everyday without the use of a strong medication. The tendency to assume that doctors fear the usage of medication in children is overwhelming. It is more than clear to see why parents, or anyone affected by this disorder
Although there are some reasons for children to take medications for their health, they should not be treated with antidepressants for many reasons. Many remember the trend in the 1960s and 1970s that inspired the film Valley of the Dolls. Housewives were taking Valium as if it were candy. Today, things have changed. The Antidrug commercials urge parents to get help and their children off drugs too. At the same time, parents are on the other hand urged to keep their children in check. In this pill popping society, children who misbehave are no longer tolerated. There is no more "boys will be boys" mentality anymore and children who misbehave and are disruptive are often recommended Ritalin or some other drug to make the Teachers day a bit
Psychotropic medications, also referred to as psychiatric or psychotherapeutic medications, are used to treat psychiatric disorders, such as: depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, and attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). They have been used for many years and oftentimes come with dangerous side effects. The side effects that often occur in children taking these medications can include: fainting, blurred vision, vomiting, extreme weight gain, and even death ("Seroquel information,” n.d.). The use of psychotropic medication to treat mental disorders in children and adolescents is highly controversial because of ethical viewpoints (i.e. parents “drugging” their children to calm them down) and potentially
More mental health facilities need to be made for adolescents. Adolescents experience the same mental disorders adults do, but there is not the same amount of places for children to go to for help. The history of mental health facilities in the United States today has been improving, and more changes are being made as we speak today by President Bush. The process of being admitted to a ward is also a long process that is the same for children and adults. It involves the emergency room at the hospital and even long hours of waiting for a bed to open while stuck in the crisis unit. Some diseases children encounter include alcohol use, drug use, emotional disorders, eating disorders, serious antisocial behaviors, suicide, and
These services are mainly psychotherapy and biomedical therapy. Psychotherapy is understanding your mind and illness, helping cope with feelings and symptoms, and changing behavior patterns that cause symptoms of the illness. When children don’t use the proper mental health services, they are at a greater risk for difficulties later in life such as substance abuse, suicide, or involvement with the correctional system (Turner). Therefore it is, important to not only attend psychotherapy but to also be on the proper medication when dealing any mental illness. In the American Psychiatric Association’s new DSM-5, fifteen new disorders are listed. Some mental health professionals fear that medication will now be given to those who would have earlier been seen as the “worried well” (Rubinstein, 2013). The key is to distinguish when one is mentally ill and needs assistance and when they are just going through a tough situation. Many psychologists have been through the same situation, and could help guide past that tough time in
Recent studies indicate that limiting the use of certain medications can improve a senior's life. One study, conducted by researchers at Indiana University, finds that the prolonged use of anticholinergics may cause physical changes within the brain that could lead to dementia. Furthermore, The Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement (CFHI) released information related to a program it started in 2014: This study examined how the discontinuation of antipsychotic medications affected the seniors who were taking them to treat dementia. The results indicate that seniors’ lives may improve when antipsychotic medications (that are being used to treat dementia) are discontinued.
Medications used to treat this condition come with risks, and parents often wish to avoid them for this reason. For those who do choose medication for their child, the worry that the medication will be used improperly is present. For these reasons, parents often look for alternatives when it comes to treating their child.
Prescription drug abuse has become a major epidemic across the globe, shattering and affecting many lives of young teenagers. Many people think that prescription drugs are safer and less addictive than “street drugs.” After all, these are drugs that moms, dads, and even kids brothers and sisters use. The dangers are not easily seen, but the future of our youth will soon be in severe danger if the problem is not addressed,it will continue to get worse if action is not taken soon. Prescription drugs are only supposed to be consumed by patients who have been examined and have a medical report by a professional, more and more teens are turning to the family’s medicine cabinet to “get high” but what they are
The administration of antidepressants has no part in the acute management of the suicidal child or adolescent. Nonetheless, numerous pediatric patients hospitalized for suicidality are treated with pharmacotherapy for a fundamental psychiatric issue (eg, bipolar significant despondency). Particular serotonin reuptake inhibitors are regularly utilized, based upon adequacy and mediocrity. All medicines that are recommended for the suicidal child or adolescent must be observed and any change in or symptoms must be reported
Because the use of psychoactive medications to augment behavioral and psychosocial interventions in schools has significantly increased within the last few decades. Important measures should be taken by schools before dispensing medication. Schools must collect and document the written authorization from the parents to administer medications and to communicate with the students physicians (Mazur-Mosiewicz, Pierson, & McIntosh,
Psychotropic drugs are medications which affect the central nervous system. It changes how the brain processes information and alters the mood, thoughts, behaviors and perceptions. Most psychotropic drugs are prescribed after the method of psychoeducation and therapy have failed in improving the current state and condition of the patient.
While parents have their kids engaged into the drug treatment they should be aware of the long term effects on the kids. We have to take into consideration that your brain isn’t fully developed until you are twenty six years old, but we are giving these drugs to kids as young as
Psychostimulants are a mood enhancing drug. Stimulant drugs are not just used for ADHD they can also be prescribed to people with depression and they are also widely used illicitly. “75% of children that are diagnosed with ADHD are prescribed psychostimulant drugs.” (Prosser, Brenton, and Reid, Robert. 340 - 347.) There needs to be other options besides going straight to stimulant drugs. Unfortunately, it seems that the research has slowed down on ADHD do to the lack of awareness. Psychostimulants have many effects on children and adults, they can cause side effects that have negative and positive effects, ADHD is commonly overdiagnosed and overtreated by doctors , and there are also many other types of treatment options that can be looked
Antipsychotics are classified as major tranquilizers that are used to treat mental health illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and other mental illnesses. They can also treat severe depression and severe anxiety. These antipsychotics drugs reduce or increase the effect of neurotransmitters in the brain to regulate levels that help transfer information throughout the brain. The neurotransmitters that are affected are the serotonin, dopamine, and noradrenaline.
Pharmaceutical drugs have been beneficial to our modern society, but a consequence of their manufacturing is that numerous pharmaceutical industries are simultaneously releasing toxic compounds in the environment. Due to the manufacturing of several pharmaceutical industries, it generated huge quantities of wastes in the water, which directly affected the aquatic organisms (Patneedi et al. 2015). It has been over four decades since the discovery of pharmaceutical drugs in the water, but only in the last decade has there been increasing concerns about active pharmaceutical contaminants in waste-water effluents (Patneedi et al. 2015). Pharmaceuticals are one of the emerging organic contaminants (EOCs) detected in water systems