Are psychotropic medications dangerous for children?
The prevalence of pediatric mental illness is greater than many people realize. According to a recent report, one in ten children suffers from mental illnesses severe enough to impair development. However, fewer than one in five children get medical treatment for any mental health problems. Kids denied of their necessary medications become alienated from family and peers, flunk out of school, commit crimes, maybe even land in prison, where mental health services simply do not exist. A juvenile detention center reported that over two-thirds of its youthful offenders suffered from psychiatric disorders. Traditionally, mental health treatments for children relied upon behavioral or talk therapy, often coupled with an attitude of “waiting until they grow out of it.” However, treatment options have changed dramatically since the 1970s. For today’s children suffering from mental or behavioral disorders, psychotropic medications can work miracles. Children on psychotropic medications must be
