Every time I hear of a child (or anyone, really) given a new medication, particularly for a mental condition that the kid’s likely too young to even be diagnosed with in the first place—or the massively over-diagnosed ADHD frenzy—I feel so dejected and sad and just hopeless. Our drug industries (and the physicians in their pockets) are making major bucks by keeping us all doped up—and while I know that many people need medication, I also know in my heart that most of these people (especially the poor kids) do not.
A part of my soul just dies. You see, I was one of the many thousands of kids “diagnosed” with depression as a teen and put on medication (one of the medications to follow, in fact!) to remedy my illness. Was I really depressed? Sure, but it was because I worked full time, did all AP courses, took care of two siblings, was in two sports, and ran about a dozen school organizations. I needed a damn nap, not drugs. And plenty of other kids need something else, too--whether it's a break from too much homework, needless testing, more time with parents, more time outside, whatever. The drug they gave me had the potential side effect of suicidal thoughts, just as many others do, among many other harmful potential side effects. Um, is that really something you want to give your child?
