Frontline is running a series called “The Medicated Child“, which reviews the impact that various psychiatric drugs have on children and discusses their potential overuse. There are over 6 million children on some sort of psychiatric drug, such as for conditions like Bipolar Disorder (become a very common diagnosis in children), Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Depression, etc… Many times the side effects of one drug result in a doctor’s prescription for an additional drug leading to a child’s medicine cabinet full of pharmaceuticals. Many of these drugs given to children under the direction of their pediatrician are not even FDA approved for kids. Now I know that sometimes medication is warranted in certain cases, but I have to think there is a healthier, more natural approach to dealing with the various behavioral and psychological disorders that over 6 million children face today.
As discussed in my previous post “How a Child’s Diet Affects Behavior” there are many studies that correlate hyperactivity, ADD, ADHD and other disorders to a child’s diet. Sometimes eliminating certain ingredients from a child’s diet such as gluten, casien or high fructose corn syrup, can have a huge impact on the child’s overall wellbeing. In addition, one of the most effective treatments for depression is exercise! I think many children suffer from mood disorders simply as a result of being constantly “plugged in” to a television, computer or video console, instead of outside in the sunshine using their bodies! Since this week is National TV Turnoff week, I challenge all you parents out there to turn off the television and spend the weekend outside. As far as the rampant over-medication of our youth, please consider some of the following alternative options before turning to pharmaceuticals.
Diet Changes – limit or remove ingredients such as gluten, casien, food dyes, and/or high fructose corn syrup from your child’s diet
Change Behavioral Expectations – some children have too much energy and are just not capable of sitting quietly for hours on end which is what most schools require…consider alternatives to traditional education such as Montessori or homeschooling.
Unplug and Go Outside! - turn off the television and encourage your children to play outside in the sunshine
Behavioral or Family Counseling
Allergy Testing
Click the video below to watch part one of the Frontline series titled “The Medicated Child”
