I really have a problem with the recent surge in diagnosing children with Bipolar Disorder. The children I see with this diagnosis are often the victims of serious issues at home, issues which may even include abuse. Some struggle with PTSD and the mood swings which are inherent in a traumatized individual are attributed to "Bipolar Disorder" and medicated.
Continue reading "When Childhood Bipolar Disorder - Isn't" »
Many children with whom I work I have been labeled "ADHD" and placed on medications in an attempt to control their "acting out" or their "meltdowns" or their "behavior problems" at school.
Continue reading "10 Ways to Help an "ADHD" Child - Without Medication" »
http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/display/article/10168/1425378?pageNumber=4
A recent story in U.S. News and World Report states, "The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, as it is known, is hugely influential because it determines what is and is not a mental disorder. In turn, it is responsible for much of the sales growth in prescription drugs." In a recent article in Psychiatric Times Dr. Allen Frances discusses his concerns about the way the next version of the DSM is being formulated and the possibility that formerly normal human behaviors will be become "medicalized".
Continue reading "DSM V and the Diagnosing of Human Behavior" »
“Diagnosis Creep” is a term used to describe a phenomenon where a disorder is identified and doctors then begin to see it everywhere. Two perfect examples of this are ADHD and Bipolar Disorder.
Continue reading "Diagnosis Creep, Bipolar Disorder and ADHD" »
He is threatening to kill his parents, his grandparents and himself. He is threatening to use a gun, a chainsaw and a knife. He is six years old.
Continue reading "He is Homicidal and Suicidal..." »
A story in the Washington Post reports on a study which found a possible link between the stimulants used to treat ADHD (such as Ritalin) and sudden deaths in children.
Continue reading "Deaths in Children Possibly Linked to ADHD Drugs" »
CNN Health reports on new research showing that the atypical antipsychotics (i.e. Risperdal, Seroquel, Zyprexa, Geodon, Abilify and Clozaril) may cause sudden cardiac death. Research shows that these medications can double the chance of sudden cardiac death possibly by causing "disturbances in heart rhythms". This is in addition to all of the other warnings that have come out recently about this class of drugs. Yet doctors still continue to diagnose everyone who complains of "mood swings" with Bipolar Disorder and prescribing this class of drugs to them.
Continue reading "Newer Bipolar Medications May Cause Sudden Cardiac Death" »
An article at the Sleep Disorders Guide lists sleep myths. Myth #8 states that shows the correlation between ADHD-like behavior and insomnia.
Continue reading "Insomnia and ADHD" »
Many of the parents I work with were raised in very authoritarian homes themselves. They are very clear that they do not want to raise their children this way. Unfortunately, some of them confuse consistency with rigidity. This confusion often leads to problems, including ADHD. How?
Continue reading "Parenting: Consistency vs. Rigidity" »