Prescriptions for drugs to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and depression in children and teens grew steadily during the late 1990s.
Researchers found that prescriptions for stimulants used to treat ADHD, such as Ritalin and Adderall, increased 26% between 1995 and 1999 among children and teens enrolled in six health plans. All of the plans were affiliated with UnitedHealth Group in Minnetonka, Minnesota.
Prescriptions for a drug class known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which are used to treat depression and anxiety, rose by 62% over the same period. SSRIs include brand names like Prozac and Zoloft.
The researchers found that the prevalence of stimulant drugs, SSRIs and other types of antidepressants grew steadily during the study period. Children aged 10 to 14 were the most frequent users of stimulants, while SSRIs were most commonly prescribed for 15- to 19-year-olds.
Overall, the proportion of stimulant users in the health plans grew from about 24 per 1,000 kids to 30 per 1,000, the report indicates. SSRI use increased from about 8 per 1,000 to nearly 13 out of 1,000 kids.
According to the researchers, their findings are in line with past studies of US children and teens. Keeping track of changes in the prescription of ADHD and depression drugs in children is vital, as there is concern about both the overuse and inadequate use of these medications.
Overuse creates concern, in part, because the long-range effects of the drugs on the developing brain are unknown, the researchers note. On the other hand, some worry that not treating children with ADHD or depression could result in social and academic problems in the long run.
Ambulatory Pediatrics March/April 2002;2
DR. MERCOLA'S COMMENT:
It is a sad, but not unexpected tragedy that our drug use is being extended to children. Americans had more than 3 billion prescriptions filled last year.
On the average that is one prescription for every man woman and children in the US every single month.
Clearly there is something seriously wrong here.
Ritalin is not the answer for ADD or ADHD. It is merely a band-aid at best, and as this new research highlights, a Band-Aid that appears to have some serious long-term effects.
Fortunately there are some simple inexpensive alternatives. The recently deceased Dr. Lendon Smith discusses some of them in an interview below that he did for this newsletter.
It is also clear that omega-3 fat supplementation and restriction of omega-6 fats will profoundly improve the brain function.
Dr. Stoll is the director of the psychopharmacology research lab at Boston's McLean Hospital and assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. He discusses this extensively in his book The Omega-3 Connection.
I thoroughly enjoyed his book, but disagree with his recommendations to avoid using cod liver oil. It is my experience that as long as the dose is carefully monitored, cod liver oil is far more beneficial than traditional fish oil capsules.
For depression in children, clearly following the eating plan and using the omega-3 oils will be helpful tools.
Additionally, EFT is a profoundly helpful tool to help to quickly and inexpensively permanently resolve the underlying cause of the problem.
I have developed a series of videos that will provide most with the foundation for developing the skills to do this. Many hundreds of people are now doing successfully doing EFT after watching these videos.
Related Articles:
Non-Drug Treatment of ADD/ADHD - Exclusive Interview with Dr. Smith
Ritalin Changes the Brain Long-Term
Ritalin is More Potent Than Cocaine
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