Suite101

The Great Medications Scare - Page 3


© John McManamy
Page 3

Oct 17, 2000


But Chairman Hoekstra sees things another way. He is planning on holding another hearing because he suspects school systems are identifying a high percentage of children with ADHD in order to get more federal funds.

Keep in mind that ADHD is a proxy for depression, bipolar, and other mental illnesses children suffer from. Until fairly recently, it was assumed that children's minds were not mature enough to break out in clinical depression, and even now a fairly large percentage of the psychiatric profession refuses to believe that bipolar can take its toll on our sons and daughters.

Similarly, Ritalin is code for Prozac, Zoloft, and other antidepressants and psychotropic medications. Thus it is significant to note that at the same time members of Congress were presuming to expose the practice of treating kids for a mental illness that doesn't exist, an Oregon Research Institute study has found that approximately 80 percent of depressed teens do not get necessary treatment. Researchers monitored 274 teens until age 24, and found that 25 percent of overlooked depressed teens experienced another major bout of depression as young adults, and another 25 percent experienced substance abuse, anxiety, and eating disorders. Only a quarter of the teens were free of illness by age 24. Girls were especially at risk.

According to lead researcher Peter M Lewinsohn PhD: "The early recognition of - and the development of effective treatments for - adolescent depression clearly should be a high public health priority."

Yes, Dr Lewinsohn, but try telling that to a House subcommittee.

For three free issues of my depression and bipolar newsletter, mailto:jmcmanamy@snet.net and put "Newsletter" in the subject line and your email in the body.

Go To Page: 1 2 3


The copyright of the article The Great Medications Scare - Page 3 in Depression is owned by John McManamy. Permission to republish The Great Medications Scare - Page 3 in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Post this Article to facebook Add this Article to del.icio.us! Digg this Article furl this Article Add this Article to Reddit Add this Article to Technorati Add this Article to Newsvine Add this Article to Windows Live Add this Article to Yahoo Add this Article to StumbleUpon Add this Article to BlinkLists Add this Article to Spurl Add this Article to Google Add this Article to Ask Add this Article to Squidoo

Here's the follow-up discussion on this article: View all related messages
1.   Oct 20, 2000 8:56 PM
You do tell a tale that more folks should read. Who knows what "money" and "big business" have in common with the medications pushed in all age groups. The "labels" are nothing new as far as depress ...

-- posted by jerrib



For a complete listing of article comments, questions, and other discussions related to John McManamy's Depression topic, please visit the Discussions page.


about us • limelight blog • writing jobs • careers • press room • site map • terms & conditions • privacy policy • suite101.de