Fwd: [SSRI-Research] one prescription for every man woman and children in the US every single month.

[Guest guest]

JustSayNo

Sat, 14 Feb 2004 12:58:55 -0500

[sSRI-Research] one prescription for every man woman and child in the

US every single month.

 

-- It is also clear that omega-3 fat supplementation and restriction of omega-6

fats will profoundly improve the brain function. (see below)

 

26% Rise in Stimulants; 62% Rise in SSRIS between 1995 and 1999

 

http://www.mercola.com/2002/apr/13/depression_drugs.htm

 

The Insanity Continues as More U.S. Kids Are Taking Drugs for Behavior and

Depression

 

Prescriptions for drugs to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

(ADHD) and depression in children and teens grew steadily during the late

1990s.

 

Researchers found that prescriptions for stimulants used to treat ADHD, such

as Ritalin and Adderall, increased 26% between 1995 and 1999 among children

and teens enrolled in six health plans. All of the plans were affiliated

with UnitedHealth Group in Minnetonka, Minnesota.

 

Prescriptions for a drug class known as selective serotonin reuptake

inhibitors (SSRIs), which are used to treat depression and anxiety, rose by

62% over the same period. SSRIs include brand names like Prozac and Zoloft.

The researchers found that the prevalence of stimulant drugs, SSRIs and

other types of antidepressants grew steadily during the study period.

Children aged 10 to 14 were the most frequent users of stimulants, while

SSRIs were most commonly prescribed for 15- to 19-year-olds.

 

Overall, the proportion of stimulant users in the health plans grew from

about 24 per 1,000 kids to 30 per 1,000, the report indicates. SSRI use

increased from about 8 per 1,000 to nearly 13 out of 1,000 kids.

 

According to the researchers, their findings are in line with past studies

of US children and teens. Keeping track of changes in the prescription of

ADHD and depression drugs in children is vital, as there is concern about

both the overuse and inadequate use of these medications.

 

 

Overuse creates concern, in part, because the long-range effects of the

drugs on the developing brain are unknown, the researchers note. On the

other hand, some worry that not treating children with ADHD or depression

could result in social and academic problems in the long run.

 

Ambulatory Pediatrics March/April 2002;2

 

DR. MERCOLA'S COMMENT:

 

It is a sad, but not unexpected tragedy that our drug use is being extended

to children. Americans had more than 3 billion prescriptions filled last

year.

 

On the average that is one prescription for every man woman and children in

the US every single month.

 

Clearly there is something seriously wrong here.

 

Ritalin is not the answer for ADD or ADHD. It is merely a band-aid at best,

and as this new research highlights, a Band-Aid that appears to have some

serious long-term effects.

 

Fortunately there are some simple inexpensive alternatives. The recently

deceased Dr. Lendon Smith discusses some of them in an interview below that

he did for this newsletter.

 

It is also clear that omega-3 fat supplementation and restriction of omega-6

fats will profoundly improve the brain function.

 

Dr. Stoll is the director of the psychopharmacology research lab at Boston's

McLean Hospital and assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical

School. He discusses this extensively in his book The Omega-3 Connection.

 

I thoroughly enjoyed his book, but disagree with his recommendations to

avoid using cod liver oil. It is my experience that as long as the dose is

carefully monitored, cod liver oil is far more beneficial than traditional

fish oil capsules.

 

For depression in children, clearly following the eating plan and using the

omega-3 oils will be helpful tools.