Recently I read an interesting article in The Times about the selling of attention deficit disorder and the contention that there had been a 20-year concerted marketing campaign by the drug industry that has resulted in soaring diagnoses and a subsequent rise in prescriptions for children nationwide.
“The Selling of Attention Deficit Disorder” written by Alan Schwarz in the Dec. 15, 2013 edition was a compelling read. It triggered a lot of feelings in me and I am using my column this time around to express some of them.
I have felt for a long time that too many people are on too many pharmaceutical drugs and that there is not always “better living through chemistry.” We have to be more cautious; we as parents in particular have to be discerning about administering drugs to our children, drugs to our pets and drugs to ourselves. People linger in prisons for years for possession of pot and yet often the real drug dealers and users are on the outside, but somehow these drugs are legal and available.
The Food and Drug Administration has cited every major A.D.H.D. drug for false and misleading advertising, some multiple times. Doctors in collaboration with drug companies have been complicit in convincing parents that their children need to be medicated. The article in mention says “a pill might ease troubles and tension and has proved seductive to worried parents, rushed doctors and others.”
Without a doubt we owe a great deal to the research and expertise that has brought us a plethora of amazing medications and treatments for a myriad of diseases and conditions in both adults and children. We have vaccinations that have saved millions of lives. I know, I was born in the polio era and when I was a kid there was a diphtheria epidemic in my community. We have conquered viruses of all kinds and bacterial infections and there are amazing antibiotics out there that if used properly and when absolutely needed perform miracles.
We have to be wise however, and we have to research and inform ourselves. We have to be very reluctant to put our youngsters on regular regimens of pill taking. Being a parent is a huge job made all the more responsible when confronted with “special issues.” Behavior modification is a tricky slope and we need to be cautious and exhibit the utmost responsibility. Our children depend on us to be wise, careful and acting as their super advocates.
Therapies of all kinds not involving drugs are available and we must opt for them and give them the credibility they deserve and implement them into our children’s agenda. Yoga is amazing and in this issue we have a wonderful article on how breathing techniques can be a super effective tool.
It’s not easy. We have to trust and we want the best for our kids. It is important however, to do the homework and not put forth blind trust.
Thanks for reading.
