Insomniac children being prescribed unsafe medications--study

Insomniac children being prescribed unsafe medications--study

A novel research reveals that doctors are increasingly using unapproved sedatives to treat children suffering from insomnia.

ADHD meds help, but many parents still against them

ADHD meds help, but many parents still against them

Medication may be the most effective treatment for kids with ADHD but it’s not a cure-all, a new Consumer Reports survey shows.

Government Is Daring To Keep Children On Drugs

Apparently the U.S. Food and Drug Administration had at least heard about the suicide of Gabriel Myers.

Government Is Daring To Keep Children On Drugs

Withdrawing from Psychiatric Medications

You’ve been diagnosed with a mental disorder and have been in treatment now for years. You’ve done both psychotherapy and psychiatric medications, and now it’s time to try to live life drug-free. You’ve successfully ended your psychotherapy treatment, but now you’re looking for advice and information about how to end your psychiatric medications.

Withdrawing from Psychiatric Medications

Pfizer's Viagra Weighed by U.S. FDA for Children With Rare Lung Disorder

Pfizer's Viagra Weighed by U.S. FDA for Children With Rare Lung Disorder

A form of Pfizer Inc.’s erection drug Viagra, sold as the blood-pressure treatment called Revatio in adults, may be used for children with a rare lung disorder if U.S. regulators can agree on how to test it.

Medication common practice for insomnia in kids

Insomnia is a major problem among children in mental health treatment and at least a quarter of these patients are given sleep medication, a new survey of child psychiatrists indicates.

Medication common practice for insomnia in kids

Contact lenses leading cause of medical device injuries for US Children

Researchers at the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) have revealed that medical devices have forced tens of thousands of kids and teens to visit the ER every year. The study is published online in the journal Pediatrics. The researchers FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health assessed the medical records from ER visits registered in a national injury surveillance system. Data from nearly 100 nationally representative hospital showed that 144,799 medical device-related complications took place during the period of 2004 and 2005. That amounts to 70,000 injuries per year, the researchers highlighted.

Contact lenses leading cause of medical device injuries for US Children


Medical device problems hurt 70,000+ kids annually

Ana Cantu was a Human Guinea Pig in a Drug Trial for $4,800

Ana Cantu was a Human Guinea Pig in a Drug Trial for $4,800

"The study started out with 20 subjects...For about a week there were 14 subjects. Then they started dropping...Now, we're down to 7."

Our children aren't sleeping and we're medicating them

New study from Hasbro Children's Hospital finds wide array of medication common practice for insomnia in children receiving mental health treatment

Our children aren't sleeping and we're medicating them

Drugs are bad, m'kay

HEY KIDS, DRUGS R BAD, U SHOULDNT DO DRUGS, MKAY, IF U DO THEM, U R BAD, CUZ DRUGS R BAD, MKAY, IS A BAD THING TO DO DRUGS, SO DONT BE BAD, BY DOIN DRUGS, MKAY, THAT WOULD BE BAD, CUZ DRUGS R BAD, MKAY..

Austin Family: ADHD Drug Abuse

Melanie Dunham, editor for Austin Family Magazine, discuss the misuse of ADHD medications and how misuse can harmful side effects. Why are these drugs popular with tweens and teens and what should parents know about this trend?

FDA investigating recall of children’s medicine

Washington • The Food and Drug Administration said Saturday it was investigating a health care company for other potential problems following its recall of more than 40 over-the-counter infants’ and children’s liquid medications.

FDA investigating recall of children’s medicine

Marijuana From Mom: Mother Says Drug Helps Son Cope with Severe OCD

Last year, 12-year-old Ryan Mendoza's obsessive compulsive disorder became so bad, his mother said, that his triggers -- the wind and spotting the number "6" -- would drive him to have crippling and violent meltdowns.

Marijuana From Mom: Mother Says Drug Helps Son Cope with Severe OCD

Avandia fraud explained: Why Big Pharma keeps lying about its drugs

Sometimes the degree of fraud that takes place in the drug industry is so mind-boggling that it's hard to determine whether drug regulators and the media are paying attention at all. For the past several months, drug giant GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has been under scrutiny for tampering with clinical trial data for its diabetes drug, Avandia. Reports show that the company lied about Avandia's safety in order to get the drug approved and keep it on the market. But despite numerous pieces of credible evidence and witness testimonies that have all come forward -- all of which reveal GSK's deception -- an FDA advisory panel is still recommending that Avandia remain on the market.

Avandia fraud explained: Why Big Pharma keeps lying about its drugs

Ghostwriting at Elite Academic Medical Centers in the United States

Medical ghostwriting is a threat to public health which currently takes place only due to the cooperation of researchers employed at academic medical centers. Although there is growing awareness of the danger posed by medical ghostwriting, we find that few academic medical centers have public policies which prohibit this behavior, and many of the existing policies are ambiguous or ill-defined. We have proposed an unambiguous policy which defines participating in medical ghostwriting as academic misconduct akin to plagiarism or falsifying data. By adopting and enforcing this policy, academic medical centers would adhere to the norms of science followed across the rest of the University, and would no longer facilitate clandestine industry influence over the peer-reviewed scientific literature. By prohibiting medical ghostwriting, academic medical centers have a rare opportunity- to significantly reduce a major threat to public health with the stroke of a pen.

Ghostwriting at Elite Academic Medical Centers in the United States

Drugging kids for parents' relief called abusive

Drugging kids for parents' relief called abusive

If the kids become too much to handle, slip 'em a little cold medicine. It's an often-repeated joke -- or advice -- that parents share on the playground or on Twitter and Facebook pages.

The malicious use of pharmaceuticals: An under-recognized form of child abuse

Child abuse is a serious problem that affects nearly one million children a year in the United States alone. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the US Department of Health and Human Services classify child abuse into four categories including neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and emotional abuse. None of these categories, however, clearly includes the abusive use of drugs on children. A study soon to be published in the Journal of Pediatrics investigates the malicious use of pharmaceuticals and attempts to shed light on this under-recognized problem.

The malicious use of pharmaceuticals: An under-recognized form of child abuse

Health Alert: Teen prescription drug abuse on the rise

PRESCRIPTION DRUG ABUSE IS ON THE RISE AMONG TEENS IN THE U-S.

Most Kids With ADHD Take Medication

More than 80% of children who are diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder take prescription medications at some point to treat their symptoms, according to a new nationwide survey of parents by Consumer Reports Health.

Most Kids With ADHD Take Medication

Ryan’s Story: Is a Medication Change to Blame?

So many children take medication for any number of issues and when a doctor recommends a change we tend to go along with it. But one family says an abrupt and drastic change in medication turned their gentle song into a killer.

Ryan’s Story: Is a Medication Change to Blame?

What causes sweet cravings when taking psychiatric medication?

What causes sweet cravings when taking psychiatric medication?

Question by Gabe: What causes sweet cravings when taking psychiatric medication?

Parents Say Drugs, Changing Schools Best for ADHD Kids

Which treatments work best for kids who have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
(ADHD)? A recent Consumer Reports survey reveals that parents
rank drug therapy as the most beneficial, followed by changing schools.

Parents Say Drugs, Changing Schools Best for ADHD Kids

Orphan status for child cancer drug

An experimental treatment which could help fight a cancer that attacks the nervous system of young children has been granted orphan drug status by the Food and Drug Administration.

Orphan status for child cancer drug

Glaxo Said to Have Paid $1 Billion Over Paxil Suits

GlaxoSmithKline Plc has agreed to pay more than $1 billion to resolve more than 800 cases alleging its Paxil antidepressant caused birth defects in some users’ children, according to people familiar with the settlements.

Glaxo Said to Have Paid $1 Billion Over Paxil Suits

Exclusive New ADHD Survey Released

Close to 4.5 million children have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, commonly known as ADHD. Consumer Reports recently surveyed 900 parents whose children have this condition to help other parents understand which treatments work the best.

Exclusive New ADHD Survey Released

Note: I am assuming this survey failed to ask the proper questions.

Anti-psychotics may cause brain damage, new study shows

Findings from a new study that shows that anti-psychotic drugs are likely to cause brain damage has raised alarm bells among health campaigners and human rights groups.

Anti-psychotics may cause brain damage, new study shows

300 Laid Off at Tylenol Plant that Made Recalled Drugs

Johnson & Johnson’s McNeil Consumer Healthcare unit will be eliminating 300 of 400 jobs at the Fort Washington, PA manufacturing facility that made Tylenol and other over-the-counter drugs that were recalled earlier this year. The plant has been closed since April 30, and could remain closed well into next year, McNeil said.

300 Laid Off at Tylenol Plant that Made Recalled Drugs

Day Care Worker Sentenced For Drugging Kids

One of two women accused of drugging children in a Springfield Township day care center was sentenced today by a Hamilton County Judge. 56 year old Pamela Hartley of Cleves will spend six months in jail and can no longer work in childcare.

Day Care Worker Sentenced For Drugging Kids

In Afghanistan, drug rehab for children

Children in Afghanistan are often fed opium to stop their crying, and many are born to addicts. A few clinics offer drug rehab for youths, but they are scarce and socially taboo.

In Afghanistan, drug rehab for children

Children Are Being Exploited to Extend Pharmaceutical Patents

Want to protect your kids from high cholesterol? Just give ’em drugs—like the new, chewable form of Lipitor. Yes, chewable. Like candy. A new Action Alert asks Congress to repeal a really rotten law that encourages this.

Lipitor, the world’s top-selling drug—made by Pfizer, the world’s largest pharmaceutical company—has just been approved for use with children in the European Union. It is already approved for children in the US. The motivation is obvious: Lipitor’s 2009 sales were about $13 billion, but its US patent expires at the end of November 2011. This means Pfizer will quickly lose much of its Lipitor revenue once the generic competition hits the market. The company is desperately trying to boost its sales everywhere it can before then.

Children Are Being Exploited to Extend Pharmaceutical Patents

Researchers Fail to Reveal Full Drug Pay

A world-renowned Harvard child psychiatrist whose work has helped fuel an explosion in the use of powerful antipsychotic medicines in children earned at least $1.6 million in consulting fees from drug makers from 2000 to 2007 but for years did not report much of this income to university officials, according to information given Congressional investigators.

Researchers Fail to Reveal Full Drug Pay

Children's drug consumers sue J&J for fraud

Consumers are accusing Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) of fraud and racketeering in a lawsuit stemming from its recent children's drug recall. The buyers of those recalled meds are demanding cash refunds--rather than coupons for replacement products--in five suits seeking class-action status in federal court in Chicago.

Children's drug consumers sue J&J for fraud

Lawsuits Filed Against Johnson & Johnson Over Drug Recall

U.S drugmaker Johnson & Johnson was recently forced to recall children’s Tylenol and some other over the counter pediatric medications which has now resulted in a lawsuit being filed in federal court agains the company. Some consumers are unhappy with the company’s plan to offer replacement products or coupons to those who bought the affected drugs.

Lawsuits Filed Against Johnson & Johnson Over Drug Recall

Shock Therapy Used on Children with Autism

Shock Therapy Used on Children with Autism

The Judge Rotenberg Center, located outside of Boston, has been under the media’s fire since their methods of reprehension for students were revealed. The school uses aversives to correct the behavior of children who are acting out. What kind of aversives do they use? Skin shock treatment.

Drugging Our Children: Side Effects

Kid Drugging NAMI Big Pharma Psychiatry Wake Up America 17

Kid Drugging NAMI Big Pharma Psychiatry Wake Up America 17

Radhia and Peter discuss the wide spread use of psychiatric drugs in todays society. This video goes over the relationship between big pharma and NAMI, The National Alliance on Mental Illness. Is this really an advocacy group for mental health consumers or a front group to help market drugs for big pharma and push legislation in favor of the Big Pharma Profits? Whats the relationships between Big Pharma, NAMI, psychiatry and children's meds?

Be My Friend
http://www.myspace.com/psychtruth

Visit Radhia's Website at
http://www.advancedhealthinstitute.com/

Visit Peter McCarthy's website
http://www.lifeenergyholisticcenter.com/

Visit Texas Health Freedom Coalition
http://www.texashealthfreedom.com

Radhia Gleis is certified in Clinical Nutrition, C.C.N. She is also a Certified BioNutritional Analyst.

Music by John Richter
http://www.injoysolutions.com

This video was produced by Psychetruth
http://www.myspace.com/psychtruth
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http://psychetruth.blogspot.com/

© Copyright 2009 Target Public Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Mom says center took teen off needed drugs three months before suicide

The mother of a 15-year-old Knox County boy who hanged himself while in juvenile custody in Chattanooga said Thursday her son died because he wasn't given needed psychiatric medications by a drug treatment center overseeing his care.

Mom says center took teen off needed drugs three months before suicide

The Brave New World of Pre-Drugging Kids: Patrick McGorry & Psychosis Risk Syndrome

Imagine being a parent taking your 10-year-old daughter to the doctor where she gasps for air and suddenly dies in your arms. You are informed afterwards that a toxic dose of prescribed medication caused her death.

The Brave New World of Pre-Drugging Kids: Patrick McGorry & Psychosis Risk Syndrome

Corruption in Drug Research and in Medicine

“Over the last 80 years, organized medical groups and pharmaceutical companies, using lawyers, bribes, lobbyist, insurance companies and the strong arm of the Food and Drug Administration, have been very busy.

Corruption in Drug Research and in Medicine

EU Approves Pfizer Cholesterol Drug for children

Pfizer has won approval in the European Union to start marketing a chewable version of their anti-cholesterol drug Lipitor to children as young as 10. Pfizer has already won U.S. approval for Lipitor use in children 10 to 17 with that condition in 2002.

EU Approves Pfizer Cholesterol Drug for children

ADHD and School: The Problem of Assessing Normalcy in an Abnormal Environment

According to the most authoritative recent data, approximately 8% of children in the United States, aged 4 to 17, have been diagnosed as having ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder).[1] The same reports note that the disorder is about three times as frequent in boys as it is in girls, so this means that roughly 12% of boys and 4% of girls have received the diagnosis. Think of it. Twelve percent of boys--that's approximately one boy out of every eight--has been determined by some clinical authority, using official diagnostic criteria set out by the American Psychiatric Association, to have this particular mental disorder!

ADHD and School: The Problem of Assessing Normalcy in an Abnormal Environment

Adderall use increases on college campuses

Adderall use increases on college campuses

Editor’s Note: To protect their identities, sources’ *names have been altered.

Students and academics increasingly using 'smart drugs' to boost performance

A growing number of students and academics are using “smart drugs” bought over the internet to improve their performance in exams, a senior drug adviser has warned.

Students and academics increasingly using 'smart drugs' to boost performance

Pfizer Accused of Experimenting on Kids

Pfizer Accused of Experimenting on Kids

The Supreme Court gave a rare hit to private businesses when it declined to take up a case against pharmaceutical giant Pfizer. The suit alleges the drug company conducted nonconsensual drug testing on over 200 Nigerian children, some of whom died as a result of the tests. The suit was filed under the Alien Tort Statute (ATS) which grants federal judges the ability to hear civil lawsuits filed by non-US citizens for violations of the "law of nations". By declining to hear Pfizer's appeal and entertain its argument that it cannot be sued in an American court for these claims the Supreme Court has allowed the matter to move forward to trial.

Alberta hospital quarantines kids

Four kids have been quarantined and at least 20 staff asked to stay home following a Norovirus outbreak at Alberta Children’s Hospital.

Alberta hospital quarantines kids

How easy is it to fake ADHD?

How easy is it to fake ADHD?

Disturbingly easy. All you need is 5 minutes with Google according to a new study.

Pharmaceuticals pushing psychiatric drugs by making up behavior disorders and syndroms.

People WAKE UP PLEASE
They make up syndromes disorders, .. You name it.
All for huge PROFITS and PLEASURE.
Yes, they love watching you suffer and die, taking all your money on the way.

Paxil side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: skin rash or hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Contact your doctor promptly if you have any of the following side effects, especially if they are new symptoms or if they get worse: mood changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, irritability, agitation, aggressiveness, severe restlessness, mania (mental and/or physical hyperactivity), thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects: * seizure (convulsions); * tremors, shivering, muscle stiffness or twitching; * problems with balance or coordination; * agitation, confusion, sweating, fast heartbeat; or * easy bruising or bleeding (such as a nosebleed).

Less serious Paxil side effects may include: * feeling nervous, restless, or unable to sit still; * drowsiness, dizziness, weakness; * sleep problems (insomnia); * nausea, constipation, loss of appetite; * weight changes; * decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm; or * dry mouth, yawning, or ringing in your ears.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.

Has your child or grandchild suffered severe side effects from psychiatric treatment? (Like the boy put on psychotropic drugs who then lost his appetite, suffered headaches, tired easily and pleaded with his mother, Do I have to take this drug, Mom? Im smart enough on my own!)

Have you seen your child or grandchild worsen under psychiatric treatment, or suffer real harm or even death?

Psychiatry can destroy a childs education, life and future. If you have witnessed or experienced this, you are not alone. Through psychiatrys false explanations, easy-seizure (commitment) laws and depersonalizing treatments, thousands across the globe unwittingly fall into psychiatrys coercive system every day.

If your child or a child you know has been victimized by false psychiatric diagnoses such as attention deficit disorder and then forced to undergo harmful or degrading psychiatric treatment by a psychiatrist, psychologist or other mental health practitioner, CCHR is willing to listen and assist you.

To protect yourself and those you love from criminal psychiatric abuse, the abuses must be reported to proper law enforcement agencies so effective action can be taken.
QUESTION: WHAT SHOULD BE REPORTED?

ANSWER: Report any crime or act which you believe endangers the health, safety and well-being of a child, family member or friend, including neglect, acts of physical or sexual assault, abusive physical or chemical restraints, false imprisonment (wrongful detention in a psychiatric facility), fraud or misdiagnosis.
QUESTION: HOW SHOULD THIS BE REPORTED?

ANSWER: Write up all known details about the abuse, including dates, places, names of psychiatrists, psychologists or others involved, ensuring patient confidentiality is respected. Send this to the nearest CCHR chapter. Following are some guidelines:

1. Provide answers to these questions:
What led to the child or other person being diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder, treated and/or hospitalized by a mental health practitioner?
What was the diagnosis given? Was this given after a thorough medical examination for underlying physical problems that could look like mental illness?
Was there health insurance involved? Did it seem the diagnosis was based on what insurance coverage was held? Was length of hospitalization increased or decreased based on insurance coverage?
Was full, written, informed consent given for the treatment received?
If the abuse involved physical or chemical restraints, do you know who ordered the restraints and under what circumstances?
What damage, if any, was suffered?
2. Support your information with as much documentation as possible. Remember, do not do anything illegal. Use only evidence that is acquired legally to substantiate the abuse.
3. Call CCHR at 1-(800)-869-2247 to further discuss your case and make an appointment.

All information will be held in strict confidence.
http://www.cchr.org/land/reportabuse/...

Pregnant Women must Stay Away from Psychiatric Medication

In order not to put their unborn-baby in health-risk, pregnant women must stay away from taking psychiatric medicines, a recently concluded biomedical study has warned. These medicines, if taken during pregnancy, may cause serious side effects in kids, the study finds.

Pregnant Women must Stay Away from Psychiatric Medication

Proteus Aims to Boost IQ of Prescription Drugs

How can 'dumb' prescription pills be transformed into clever communicators? Proteus (News - Alert) Biomedical Inc. has an innovative approach: they've developed an ingestible microchip that can be embedded into medications for only a few cents per pill. When activated by stomach fluids, the sensor chips send signals to a personal wireless monitor worn in an adhesive patch like a Band-Aid. The monitor can then send the data, along with other physiological information, to a smart phone or other computerized device. The system hasn't hit the market yet, but Proteus recently announced FDA 510(k) clearance of the adhesive monitor. The ingestible sensors are currently in clinical trials. Proteus has dubbed the system the 'Raisin,' following in the footsteps of other fruit-themed technology pioneers (think Apple (News - Alert) and Blackberry).

Proteus Aims to Boost IQ of Prescription Drugs

Autistic children prescribed medicines for mental illnesses

RISING numbers of Welsh children are being put on psychiatric medication to treat conditions like autism and hyperactivity, figures obtained by the Western Mail reveal.

Autistic children prescribed medicines for mental illnesses

Psychiatric Medication Risk in Children

Psychiatric Medication Risk in ChildrenPsychiatric medicines can have serious side effects in children, including birth defects resulting from their mother’s use of the medication during pregnancy.

Psychiatric Medication Risk in Children

Report Urges More Curbs on Medical Ghostwriting

Should more light be shed on the relationships between drug makers and certain prominent doctors who publish scientific articles about their medicines?

A new Congressional report calls on medical journals, medical schools and even the National Institutes of Health to take additional measures to ensure the integrity of the scientific articles many doctors rely on to make treatment decisions for their patients.

Report Urges More Curbs on Medical Ghostwriting

The DSM5 Field Trial Proposal—An Expensive Waste of Time

Time is running out on DSM5 and the mistakes keep piling up. The latest puzzling misstep is the design for the DSM5 field trials. The APA will conduct a remarkably complex and expensive reliability study to determine whether 2 raters can agree on a diagnosis. It will devote enormous resources to answer a question that once mattered greatly but is now of quite limited interest. Meanwhile, DSM5 will perversely avoid the one question that does really count: ie, what will be its likely impact on the rates of psychiatric diagnosis? At least $2.5 million and 1 year later (or possibly 2, if things get delayed as I expect they will), DSM5 will still be flying completely blind on the safety of its proposals. I will list the 6 seriously disabling limitations of the DSM5 field trials—saving the absolutely fatal flaw for last:

The DSM5 Field Trial Proposal—An Expensive Waste of Time

Is your pediatrician harming your child?

We all make mistakes, but it's the last thing you'd want your doctor to admit to, especially when it comes to our children's health. But there is a new report that shows it's happening more often than you might think.

UPDATE:Pfizer Ends Pediatric Bipolar-Drug Trial Before It Starts

NEW YORK (Dow Jones)--Pfizer Inc. (PFE) has decided not to proceed with a late-stage clinical trial of its antipsychotic drug Geodon in children with bipolar disorder, a controversial area for the drug.

UPDATE:Pfizer Ends Pediatric Bipolar-Drug Trial Before It Starts

Psychotropic Drug Use in Foster Care System Under Investigation

Psychotropic Drug Use in Foster Care System Under Investigation

The US Senate Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management has asked the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to investigate the prevalence of prescribed psychotropic medications for children in foster care. The estimated cost of prescribed medications, often used in the treatment of emotional and behavioural problems, may run to hundreds of millions of dollars each year in the United States alone. To date, only limited reports are available to determine the actual prevalence of psychotropic medication in foster children. Experts suggest that foster children are four times more likely to be prescribed antipsychotic or antidepressant medication than other children covered under Medicaid. One 2003 study of foster children in Florida indicated that 55 percent of children in the foster care system are being administered psychotropic medication although forty percent of those medicated had no history of a psychiatric evaluation.. Another study has indicated that anti-psychotic medication used has increased 528 from 2000 to 2005. A Texas study from 2004 showed that 34.7 percent of foster children were prescribed at least one psychotropic drug with some children taking five or more.

The Hazards of Psychiatric Diagnosis

"I have a biochemical imbalance."
"My kid is ADD."
"I'm Bipolar."
"I suffer from Clinical Depression."
"I have Panic Disorder."

The Hazards of Psychiatric Diagnosis

Court rules women can't be charged for taking drugs during pregnancy

Court rules women can't be charged for taking drugs during pregnancy

Women cannot be criminally charged for abusing alcohol or drugs during pregnancy, the Kentucky Supreme Court ruled Thursday in a case that has generated national attention.

What Is Childhood Schizophrenia? What Causes Childhood Schizophrenia?

Childhood schizophrenia, also known as childhood-onset schizophrenia or early-onset schizophrenia is basically the same as schizophrenia in adults, but its onset occurs earlier in life. In some cases the patient may be ten years old, or even younger. Childhood schizophrenia can have a serious impact on the child’s ability to function properly.

What Is Childhood Schizophrenia? What Causes Childhood Schizophrenia?

Too many children are being prescribed drugs

As an educator, I am concerned about the overuse of drugs, such as Ritalin, for two main reasons:

Too many children are being prescribed drugs

Psychotropic Drug Abuse in Foster Care Costs Government Billions

Seven-year-old Gabriel Meyers didn't want soup for lunch one Thursday in April, 2009. When his 23-year-old foster brother sent Gabriel to his room for dumping his soup in the trash, Gabriel threatened to kill himself. He kicked his toys around his room, then locked himself in the bathroom.

Psychotropic Drug Abuse in Foster Care Costs Government Billions

Concerns over treating kids with Ritalin

With 5% of New Zealand children suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), there are new concerns over whether or not the drug Ritalin is still the best method of treatment.

Concerns over treating kids with Ritalin

Consumer 10.0: Smoke shrouds recalls of children's drugs

U.S. Rep. Edolphus Towns seemed to be getting angry last week, and I was beginning to understand why.

Consumer 10.0: Smoke shrouds recalls of children's drugs

Report links bullying and suicide

A new study by charity Beatbullying links bullying with suicide in teenagers, Georgia tells her story

Psychologist Says Antidepressants Are Just Placebos

Psychologist Says Antidepressants Are Just Placebos

I will dutifully report on yet another professional’s opinion about the research literature on antidepressants. This time the “antidepressant is just a placebo effect” argument comes from a psychologist.

New rules ensure kids in Oregon foster care get right psychiatric drugs, but not too many

Justin Snegirev mostly remembers feeling nauseous, tired and alone during the more than seven years he spent in state foster care.

New rules ensure kids in Oregon foster care get right psychiatric drugs, but not too many

Mental Illness in Children: Misdiagnosed and misunderstood

The typical lament Becky Turner hears from parents all the time goes something like this: "What does he have to be depressed about? He's only seven."

Mental Illness in Children: Misdiagnosed and misunderstood

Teen Screen doesn’t work

In response to “Suicide up out in the country” (DI, June 11): If the Teen Screen program that was implemented in the 2006-07 school year works, then why has the suicide rate gone up? The purpose of Teen Screen is to get more troubled kids on psychiatric drugs; the program unnecessarily refers teenagers to psychiatrists who prescribe them medications for handling depression. However, psychiatric drugs lead to worse problems than suicides: Check the facts related to the Columbine School mass murders and the many other instances since. The perpetrators were using medications at the time or had at least been on drugs prior to the shootings.

Teen Screen doesn’t work

Medication and Kids: A Growth Industry

Children have become the new growth industry for prescription drug makers. A study released last month by the pharmacy benefit manager Medco found that 26% of kids under 19—almost 30% of those aged 10 to 19—are now taking prescription medications for a chronic condition. Meanwhile, spending on prescription drugs for children increased by almost 11% last year, the largest increase experienced by all segments of the market, including the elderly. Although asthma drugs are the still the most commonly prescribed therapeutics, kids are increasingly being prescribed drugs that are decidedly uncommon for such young patients: atypical anti-psychotics, diabetes drugs, anti-hypertensives, cholesterol medications and heartburn drugs—expensive therapeutics that in the past were rarely used outside of adult populations.

Medication and Kids: A Growth Industry

Drugging pre-school children: A crime against childhood

It's not a Ponzi scheme, but once again, no one is listening and the red flags are everywhere. This time the victims are our very young, innocent children in the millions.

Drugging pre-school children: A crime against childhood

Johnson & Johnson Accused of Stonewalling Recall Probe

The head of a Congressional committee probing Johnson & Johnson’s recent recall of children’s medicines says the drug maker hasn’t been cooperating with his panel’s investigation. Representative Edolphus Towns (D-NY), chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, said the panel may have to take a more aggressive stance that could include issuing subpoenas.

Johnson & Johnson Accused of Stonewalling Recall Probe

Garretson firm obtains patent to foster vaccine

A Garretson biotechnology firm was issued a patent recently for work it is doing to develop a vaccine that can be used for a number of applications including to help stem obesity and fight Type II diabetes.

Garretson firm obtains patent to foster vaccine

Seizure Medication, Depakote, Cause of Several Birth Defects

Seizure Medication, Depakote, Cause of Several Birth Defects

Depakote, one of the most popularly prescribed seizure medications, has been directly connected to the increased risk of several birth defects when taken by pregnant women. While the drug has been linked to increased risks for spina bifida, a birth defect in which the spinal canal and backbone of the fetus does not close properly before birth, new research connects the drug to 6 additional birth defects.

Pfizer gets FDA warning letter for failing to report drug side-effect reports

Pfizer gets FDA warning letter for failing to report drug side-effect reports

Federal regulators have warned Pfizer Inc. for failing to promptly report complaints with its drugs that may have involved serious injury.

Grassley Probes Nemeroff And University Of Miami

The Charles Nemeroff affair encompasses more people all the time. Now, the University of Miami Medical School has become ensnared in the ongoing probe launched by US Senator Chuck Grassley, who investigated Nemeroff as part of an inquiry into undisclosed financial conflicts of interest among academic researchers who receive federal grants.

Grassley Probes Nemeroff And University Of Miami

ADD in Children

ADD in Children

ADD and ADHD (Attention Deficit Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) are being over diagnosed. Many Dr’s are diagnosing children as early as 3 years old. Parents and caregivers need to take notice of this. Starting a child on any type of drug at that age can be extremely harmful to them now and in the future. Studies show that children who are exposed to drugs at a young age are more likely to become addicted to other drugs as they get older.

Are You Normal or Finally Diagnosed?

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders is a list that can be abused to the detriment of patients and benefit of drug companies.

Are You Normal or Finally Diagnosed?

Growing numbers of children on medication

Here’s just one statistic that Danbury school psychologist Charles Manos worries about: 42 percent of all kids in foster care are taking three or more mood-altering drugs.

Growing numbers of children on medication

Mix-Up Complicates Child's Cancer Surgery

When a little boy needed brain surgery, his family learned he didn't have insurance because of a paperwork mistake.

A guide to psychiatric medications that increase suicide risks

This type of intoxication is called "involuntary," because the patient has been following doctor's orders while simultaneously and unknowingly worsening their condition. Most people have been accustomed to following doctors' orders unquestioningly. Also, patients experiencing an altered state of mind are not always able to ask the most important questions about their medications or clearly convey the reaction they are experiencing.

A guide to psychiatric medications that increase suicide risks

Drugging Our Children Side Effects

Antidepressants during pregnancy cause alarming 68 percent increased risk of miscarriage

Back in 2005, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned that exposure to the antidepressant paroxetine (sold as Paxil, Paxil CR, and Pexeva) in the first trimester of pregnancy might increase the risk for birth defects, especially heart problems. Did this halt the widespread prescribing of paroxetine and other antidepressants for pregnant women? Unfortunately, the answer is no.

Antidepressants during pregnancy cause alarming 68 percent increased risk of miscarriage

New Drug Not Effective In Preventing Stroke In Anemic Children

Hydroxyurea, a new drug, does not seem to be effective in reducing the risk of recurrent stroke in children with sickle cell anemia and iron overload.

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), US, said it was giving up a major trial as there was no evidence that the drug could be any better than the existing treatment.

New Drug Not Effective In Preventing Stroke In Anemic Children

Diagnosis of boy's autism pits doctors vs. schools

A frustrated teacher and a child struggling with autism have combined for a tumultuous year for the Brunos.

Diagnosis of boy's autism pits doctors vs. schools

BBC - Louis Theroux Americas Medicated Kids (2010) PDTV XviD MP3-MVGroup

Faced with the challenging behaviour of their kids, more and more parents in America are turning to psychoactive medication to help them cope, even though the drugs, and sometimes the diagnoses, remain controversial. Louis travels to one of America's leading children's psychiatric treatment centres, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to get to know the diagnosed children and hoping to understand what drives parents to put their kids on drugs.

BBC - Louis Theroux Americas Medicated Kids (2010) PDTV XviD MP3-MVGroup

Effects of Adhd Drugs on Children – Parents on High Alert

One of the alarming effects of medications for ADHD children is that beginning after the terrible path of addiction. Children who have used Ritalin (a drug most commonly prescribed ADHD) may be predisposed to street drugs such as cocaine, crack, amphetamines and methamphetamines in general. This should mot surprising, since the main ingredients of these drugs are amphetamines and methylphenidate. Both drugs act on the central nervous system of the brain. They have shown that addiction.

Effects of Adhd Drugs on Children – Parents on High Alert

Meeting the Drug Industry

It was 95 degrees with 99 percent humidity. The Gulf had the biggest oil spill in US history. And attendees to last week's American Psychiatric Association (APA) annual meeting in New Orleans had to brave 200 protestors chanting "no drugging kids for money" and "no conflicts of interest" to get into the convention hall.

Meeting the Drug Industry

UPDATE 1-Roche drug combats children's brain tumors

An experimental drug being developed by Roche Holding AG (ROG.VX) showed promising results in a small, early stage trial involving children with medulloblastoma, the most common type of malignant brain tumor in children.

UPDATE 1-Roche drug combats children's brain tumors

1 in 5 Teens Abuses Prescription Drugs

A new study by the Centers for Disease Control finds that one in five high school students have taken a prescription drug that they didn't get from a doctor. We talk to a local expert about this disturbing trend.

Help Available For Child Storm Phobias

Ever get a little uneasy when storms are in the area? That's natural -- but for some, especially children, it's extreme.

Medicating Children: A “Whistleblower’s” Lawsuit Raises a Novel Legal Question

In the past few years, a number of pharmaceutical companies have admitted to federal charges that they illegally marketed psychiatric medications for non-approved uses, with the companies paying large sums to settle the cases. Now, a legal complaint filed by the Law Project for Psychiatric Rights in an Alaskan federal court is raising a related question. When healthcare providers bill Medicaid for prescriptions of psychiatric drugs to children for non-approved uses, are they committing Medicaid fraud?

Medicating Children: A “Whistleblower’s” Lawsuit Raises a Novel Legal Question

Attention Deficit Disorder tied to maternal education

A new study of more than a million children has found strong links between receiving medication for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and limited maternal education, single parent families and welfare benefits.

Attention Deficit Disorder tied to maternal education

ADHD children more likely to be poor

ADHD children more likely to be poor

Poor, less educated mothers were more likely to have children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, Swedish researchers say.

Medicating Children: A “Whistleblower’s” Lawsuit Raises a Novel Legal Question

In the past few years, a number of pharmaceutical companies have admitted to federal charges that they illegally marketed psychiatric medications for non-approved uses, with the companies paying large sums to settle the cases. Now, a legal complaint filed by the Law Project for Psychiatric Rights in an Alaskan federal court is raising a related question. When healthcare providers bill Medicaid for prescriptions of psychiatric drugs to children for non-approved uses, are they committing Medicaid fraud?

Medicating Children: A “Whistleblower’s” Lawsuit Raises a Novel Legal Question

No Free Pens But Pharma Influence Still Felt at Psychiatric Meeting

No Free Pens But Pharma Influence Still Felt at Psychiatric Meeting

It was 95 degrees with 99 percent humidity. The Gulf had the biggest oil spill in US history. And attendees to this week’s American Psychiatric Convention (APA) annual meeting in New Orleans had to brave 200 protestors chanting “no drugging kids for money” and “no conflicts of interest” to get into the convention hall.

Psychiatric Group Faces Scrutiny Over Drug Industry Ties

Psychiatric Group Faces Scrutiny Over Drug Industry Ties

It seemed an ideal marriage, a scientific partnership that would attack mental illness from all sides. Psychiatrists would bring to the union their expertise and clinical experience, drug makers would provide their products and the money to run rigorous studies, and patients would get better medications, faster.

Increasing the Age at Onset for ADHD?

To the Editor: In their commentary, published in the January 2010 issue of the Journal, Christian Kieling, M.D., et al. (1) presented the rationale for a DSM–5 proposal to increase the required age at onset for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) from age 7 years to 12 years. Unfortunately, the commentary did not include a risk/benefit analysis. The authors focus only on the benefit of reducing false negatives and ignore the considerable risk that eliminating this age of onset gatekeeper will result in a flood of new false positives for a diagnosis that may already be quite overinclusive.

Increasing the Age at Onset for ADHD?

My Psychiatric Medicines Caused Terrible Problems

I was a MD/PhD student at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA. The CNS Gene Therapy Center, where I was a PhD student, closed so I returned to the clinical years of medical school trying to complete my PhD thesis and learn clinical medicine.

The pressure of doing both degrees at the same time was stressful and I was seeing the school psychiatrist who diagnosed me with Bipolar Disorder and placed me on Lithium and Zyprexa. I was told they would help me think more clearly and get everything I needed to get done on time. Ultimately, what happened is that these medications caused me to be very tired, gain weight, have a tremmor and other neurocognitive problems. The medical school evaluators during my final semester of medical school held the effects of the medications against me, and the University is now not allowing me the opportunity to finish my training.

My Psychiatric Medicines Caused Terrible Problems

Drug for severly asthmatic children 'available in Scotland but not England'

Drug for severly asthmatic children 'available in Scotland but not England'

A drug which can radically reduce the number of attacks suffered by severely asthmatic children will not be available on the NHS in England after the Government’s drug rationing body ruled it was too expensive.

Prescription Drug Use Soaring Among U.S. Children

Prescription drug use among youngsters in the United States is growing at nearly four times the rate as among the overall population. A new report shows that nearly a quarter of insured children and almost one third of adolescents ages 10 to 19 took at least one prescription medicine to treat a chronic condition last year.

Prescription Drug Use Soaring Among U.S. Children