• DPMC Moderators: thegreenhand | tryptakid
  • Drug Policy & Media Coverage Welcome Guest
    View threads about
    Posting Rules Bluelight Rules
    Drug Busts Megathread Video Megathread

Psychiatric drugs soar among Aussie kids

Crankinit

Crankinit

Bluelighter
Joined
Sep 17, 2007
Messages
6,177
THE use of powerful psychiatric drugs is soaring among Australian children as young as 10, research shows.

THE number of prescriptions for antipsychotic drugs jumped 49 per cent among 10 to 14 year olds over a four-year period, according to a study of government subsidised prescriptions.
The number of prescriptions for antidepressants increased by more than a third in that age group, according to figures for 2009 to 2012 published in the latest issue of the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry.

Among people of all age groups, the study shows a 26 per cent increase in ADHD medication, a 23 per cent increase in antipsychotics and a 16 per cent increase in antidepressants.

There has been a 35 per cent jump in the use of the ADHD medication Ritalin.

Part of the reason for this is an increase in the number of teenagers and adults using the medication.

The study shows ADHD medication increased 71 per cent for 20 to 24 year olds and 37 per cent for people aged 25 and older.

The rise was 26 per cent for children aged three to nine, 15 per cent for 10 to 14 year olds, 33 per cent for 15 to 19 year olds.

Research leader Professor Iain McGregor called for a discussion about whether the benefits of medication outweigh the hazards, particularly in children and in those suffering mild to moderate distress.

"We need to have a national debate about what is driving this phenomenon.

"Why are we so reliant on meds for our mental wellbeing?"

Clinical Psychologist Andrew Fuller described the study as "massively" concerning, but not surprising.

"We seem to have a growing proportion of young people showing signs of vulnerability in terms of mental health issues.

Some of the prescriptions could be partly because of the agitation of the patient or their parent, or anxiety of the doctor who wants to resolve the issue as quickly as possible, he says.

"Often the medication is seen as the solution. ADHD medication is highly prescribed, but sadly very rarely given together with other forms of treatment.

"For depression, talk therapy is very powerful. So is exercise or meditation techniques."

These could be used on their own or together with medication, he says. But they take longer than medication to kick in.
Click to expand...

"Why are we so reliant on meds for our mental wellbeing?"
Click to expand...

Because our society in general and the way we raise and educate our kids in particular is sick and broken and these kids are feeling the symptoms without even recognizing why it is that they feel so terrible.
 
I think these "soaring rates" have to do with more people getting access to medicine and more awareness. In a way it is a sign of a good thing. Where there is medicine there is health care. Something everyone doesn't have in America.
 
i disagree, its negative imo

we live in a quick fix society, web-page wont load in less than 3 seconds, bam too slow

so take a pill and you wont feel so scattered or tired or anxious or depressed, quick and easy

little are they aware of the long list of side-effects and what effect it will have on their ability to develop coping mechanisms and how that will affect their future

cures that work gradually over longer periods of time are more likely to be beneficial overall (e.g. eating healthy, exercising, meditating, group therapy, yoga, pursuing hobbies, alternative medicine), plus treating the actual root cause, not just smothering symptoms

tbh they probably just realised what abbot had in store for them and were like "fuck this dude, lets get a prescription for dexies"
 
^I find it ironic when people complaining about the "just take a pill" mentality on a drug forum. I see where your coming from though.
 
yeh i kno, i was attracted to bluelight at first bcus of drugs, now i like it because of the aspect of overcoming addictions and connecting with other people who feel/have felt like outsiders
 
Mysterie said:
i disagree, its negative imo

we live in a quick fix society...
Click to expand...

I totally agree with you on that.

We like to find quick fixes for everything, and it's not gonna turn out how we expect it to.

Admittedly, I have tried to find quick fixes for some of my past issues (and at least one present one), and have learned the hard way that my expectations are unrealistic.
 
The problem isn't quick fixes so much as quick fixes which aren't combined with long term solutions.

ANd thanks for adding the link Poledriver.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top