FRONTLINE: The Medicated Child

'Take meds, take meds, take meds.'"

"The rates of bipolar diagnoses in children have increased markedly in many communities over the last five to seven years," says Dr. Steven Hyman, a former director of the National Institute of Mental Health. "I think the real question is, are those diagnoses right? And in truth, I don't think we yet know the answer."

"We're dealing with developing minds and brains, and medications have a whole different impact in the young developing child than they do in an adult," says Dr. Marianne Wamboldt, the chief of psychiatry at Denver Children's Hospital. "We don't understand that impact very well. That's where we're still in the Dark Ages."

Frontline aired a somewhat balanced look at the issue of children and medication. Those of you involved in this field for any length of time will notice an absence of alternative therapies or a thorough look at what environmental issues may be contributing to these behaviors.

In my experience that is what is usually being medicated...behaviors. You never hear of a well-behaved child being medicated. Find a diagnosis that allows for a medical approach and run with it...that's what I see.

You can watch the full show HERE.

Let me know what you think.

Adam