Are we overmedicating our children?

By Sofia Segounis, Nutritionist

Do you find that every time you walk into the doctor’s office you leave with a prescription? Whether it’s antibiotics for a recurrent ear infection or a stimulant such as Ritalin for attention-deficit disorder, our children are taking more medication than ever before.

In Canada 10 to 15% of children and adolescents suffer from some kind of mental illness, such as depression, bipolar disorder or attention-deficit disorder. According to Stephen Hinshaw, chairman of psychology at the University of California, “The frontal lobes of the brain, which control feelings and thoughts, do not fully mature until the age of 30.”

Even so, in 2002 over 141,000 Canadian children under the age of 19 were given a prescription for Paxil, an antidepressant that directly affects the frontal lobe. Are we really helping our children or are we using them as guinea pigs for the future?

Are there alternatives?
Unfortunately, parents are not often told of the natural approaches that are available for a variety of health conditions. To take charge of your child’s health, visit any of the following links to learn about drug-free options.

In a nutshell
There is really no such thing as a “side effect” to medications, only an effect. Although medication is necessary in some situations, it is a parent’s right to know all drug-free options. Consider the following checklist before automatically medicating your child.

• Educate yourself on their diagnosed condition.
• Search for alternative approaches and consult your healthcare practitioner. Sometimes a slight change in a child’s diet, supplements and physical activity can make all the difference. 
• You know your child best. If you are not comfortable with a recommended treatment method, always get a second opinion.

References