Posted by linkadge on December 19, 2003, at 9:11:15
In reply to Re: UK Has Banned Medication for Depressed Children? » KarmaFairy, posted by Simcha on December 19, 2003, at 0:50:48
To ban these medications would be a mistake. I think the real problem is that these medications are targeted, and tested in adults. Oftentimes the doses of these drugs are those that are adequite for adults not children.
In my opinion, 5mg of prozac would be considered a childs dose, unfortunately the smallest dose available is a 10mg. Really more research should be done. I know that nutrition has a great deal to do with it as well. I could never remember feeling 'normal' until I added folic acid supplements to my diet. Unfortunately children are more accepting and trusting that adults are. If a adult feels like crap on a new drug then he might more easily put two and two together to say, this is the new drug's fault. However if a child is put on a new drug, and feels horrible, then is conceivably much more difficult for the child to realize this.
It is when you are growing up that you learn
and create your ideas of how the world is supposed to be. A child who is reacting horribly to a new drug might blame this on himself, friends, school whatever.I definately think the drugs should be used where appropriate, but we need some more child specific testing of these drugs. I know that I would be a lot more normal if somebody had treated my depression when it started. Back in grade 8, I was well liked in school and did well, however every day I contemplated deeply the ways I could end my life.
Linkadge
poster:linkadge
thread:291460
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20031219/msgs/291562.html