Posted by Devastated Mother on February 3, 2006, at 21:40:52 [reposted on February 3, 2006, at 22:22:24 | original URL]
In reply to Re: Suicide on Effexor » simon levane, posted by Racer on February 3, 2006, at 19:45:39
"Or even just that doctors be required to give parents information about the risks of the drugs their children are taking."
The new HIPA law does exactly the opposite. In the interest of maintaining privacy, unless children sign a release, doctors cannot talk with parents or anyone else. Depressed people are not likely to make the best decisions for themselves. My son, on the other hand, was not even asked, but even when asked, I am sure some would refuse having anyone in their family know.
Frankly, while I admit that your idea is not a bad one, I am fairly jaded at this point about anyone or anything doing anything for anyone but themselves. I think politicians (responsible for HIPA) only care about the money and the power their position can give them; I think the same is true of doctors. So who would we get to make these changes? I am just not very hopeful for this world. How exactly would anyone get this to happen? No one really cares. It is very easy to say, but doing something about it....something else entirely.
It doesn't matter, in my opinion, how old someone is--my son was 20, but he was still very much growing and developing. He was a college junior; college students are still in flux, no matter how old they are...
Good idea. Implementation? How?
DM
> > Dear Racer...
> > I really didn't answer your question better.
> > I did find a very good guide that I wish I had had long ago...
> > it is an excellent guide for parents with a child who may be suicidal.. or anyone for that matter..
> >
> > http://www.bcmentalhealthworks.ca/files/living_suicidal.html
> >
> > When I read this, I so wished that someone had given this to me before.. as it has so much excellent information. Hope it helps someone if you pass this on.
> > SL
> >
>
> And I think I wasn't all that clear in asking the question, either, so we're even on this. Let me try again, see if I get any clearer.
>
> I was wondering if you had come across any advocacy groups that were set up to that parents would be OFFERED that sort of resource as soon as a child was diagnosed or put on medication. Maybe a group trying to pass legislation that would require doctors' offices to give parents a list of local, national, and online resources that provided information about mental illness in children, and the benefits and risks of psychotropic medication for children. Or even just that doctors be required to give parents information about the risks of the drugs their children are taking.
>
> I'm not sure how old your daughter was, but if she was under 18, I am absolutely stunned that the doctor wouldn't communicate with you at all. That's terrible, since minor children are under a parent's guardianship. That just seems wrong -- her pediatrician would have told you about the risks of an antibiotic, right? Psychotropic medication should be held to the same standards as other drugs, except in very rare instances. (I'm thinking things like cases where the parent belongs to a religion that doesn't allow western doctors, or where a parent refuses to believe in depression, so creates roadblocks to that child getting help. That sort of thing, where the child's life is either in danger, or the child's quality of life is impaired, but the parent refuses to get help. And only if the child makes the move to do it -- I would NOT want to see the schools able to send kids to doctors without authorization from the parents. Basically the same sorts of things that apply to minor girls getting gynecological care without parental notification in some states.)
>
> After reading your story, as well as DM's, I just think that there should be some sort of requirement that doctors communicate risks of these drugs to parents, even if the DOCTOR him/herself does not believe that there is a risk in this case. Sort of like a black box saying "If prescribed for children under 18, risk information must be provided for parent or guardian." You know? And, frankly, since there's no way to undo the damage that has already occurred, it seemed as though you and DM might be very compelling for getting something changed, and working towards that might help a bit?
>
> Again, you have my deepest sympathy for your devasting loss, as does DM.
poster:Devastated Mother
thread:606122
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20060203/msgs/606122.html