Look at that handful of pills. So many colors and shapes. Fact is my children take every last one – from stimulants and anti-depressants to mood stabilizers and anti-psychotics.
You see, they experienced trauma in womb. Genetics might also be at play. As a result, they have organic brain disorders – with diagnoses that include ADHD, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Bipolar Disorder.
But with the right medication, their brains function effectively much of the time. In turn, they behave more appropriately at home and school.
And to think, I was once anti-medication.
Good parenting was enough in my book.
For years I emphasized consistency at home and school. I threw in lots of patience. I showed compassion. Although the resulting structure reduced anxiety and increased focus, concerns remained.
Then I learned about food – artificial flavors, colorful additives and preservatives. Why add to the chemical imbalance in my kids' brains? Although a special diet decreased hyperactivity and improved self-control, concerns still remained.
In spite of my good intentions, I needed to do something more.
But the decision to medicate didn't come easily.
Soon my children found themselves in hot water almost every day at school – even with the best possible teachers who were trauma-sensitive. Even with behavior plans in their special education IEPs. As I watched their ongoing frustration, increasing isolation and mounting failure, our well-versed pediatrician listened to my stories. After a long year, she responded.
Since my sons' behaviors at school were now causing them to miss opportunities – both academically and socially, I no longer hesitated.
After starting a time-released stimulant, my son Andrew no longer played rough at recess. Instead of being excluded from peer activities, he enjoyed being picked to play. The positive effect also carried into the classroom. Andrew stayed on-task most of the day – completing assignments to the best of his ability.
His teacher noticed and named him student-of –the-month.
The only change was the new medication.
For my son Michael, his situation became urgent in fourth grade. Physical and verbal aggression erupted. Classmates grew afraid – immediately shunning him. And by being constantly removed to the less-stimulating resource room, Michael missed valuable instructional time and fell behind.
When deemed a danger to himself – after routinely banging his head on the floor and bloodying his face, he endured a week-long hospitalization. The psychiatrist added a third pill to his daily cocktail – a new anti-psychotic medication.
Within weeks Michael successfully returned to the regular classroom. He later passed his state-mandated assessments.
Like his older brother, the only change was the new medication.
Still not convinced? Think about other health conditions. A child with diabetes may need insulin. A child with strep throat may need an antibiotic. In similar manner, a child with an organic brain disorder may need psychotropic medication.
On the other hand, the judgment cast upon our children's invisible disability can intensify their challenges – with words they long remember. Self-doubt takes over.
And by middle or high school, they might even begin self-medicating to numb their feelings. To achieve an un-natural high. Their newest friends become alcohol, marijuana, someone else's painkillers, cough syrup, aerosol cans – whatever they can get their hands on.
That's why parents must be empowered with information – never blamed or coerced.
1 – Learn about your child's mental health condition. Do you have a proper diagnosis? What medications are available?
2 – Find a psychiatrist (or pediatrician familiar with mental health) who doesn't dictate. Do you feel comfortable sharing concerns and suggesting alternatives?
3 – Reduce the stigma of mental health. Start educating your child with sensitive, age-appropriate language.
4 – Follow instructions on pill bottles. Missing a dose can ruin your child's day – and yours.
5 – Know the facts. A drug that works well on one child may fail miserably in another – possibly intensifying symptoms.
6 – The first medication may not produce the desired results. Trial and error is often required to find the not only the best drug but also the correct dose.
7 – Over time a combination of drugs may be necessary. Meanwhile, a drug that works amazingly well may lose its impact.
8 – Maintain open communication with teachers. They have valuable feedback on the effectiveness of the medication during the school day.
9 – Make sure your child drinks ample water at home and school to reduce headaches and drowsiness. With hydration, the medication also works better.
Thank you. This is an excellent article. I've never understood the stigma against medication. The medication is available to help, and we assess whether it helps, it is not offered blindly and as a cure-all. It can be a very important part of treatment that leads to stability.
I am a suffering the side effects of taking this type of "medication" for many years. The current literature has found the marketing of these meds was hiding the truth about the research that did not support the hype and the side effects that are horrendous. My hope is that the use of these meds can be phased out and that new strategies can be found. The biggest changes so far have come in treating dementia. It started in Britain where data was self-evident. Canada is moving ahead. The drug companies are still in denial so the status quo is the norm in the U.S. These meds bring early death (20 years earlier in the case of schizophrenia) and sometimes permanent debilitating side effects. Perhaps looking at the literature on dementia would be a place to start re-examining this subject. I am not angry with my doctor. She did the best she could with the knowledge she had at the time. I am disappointed that she did not face the truth when it became available. When you have the space to delve into this it would be helpful to your readers to provide an update or follow-up to this post.