As if there weren’t enough reasons to avoid giving antipsychotic drugs to children, this article discusses research suggesting an increased risk of diabetes for children who use antipsychotic drugs (on top of the already known risk of weight gain – do a Google search on Zyprexa & weight gain for some disturbing reading.)

Let me be clear here: I think that our society significantly overuses psychotropic medications. I think it’s from a combination of factors: the drug companies continuing to push these drugs, our ‘quick fix’ mindset as a society, and the stresses that result from our attempts to life an unrealistic lifestyle (more about all that another time). I also think, when it comes to kids, some of this stems from an unrealistic desire to have children be always-behaving robots, since it would decrease the stress in our already overwhelming lives.

(Now, I know there are some of you who can give me plenty of examples of children who ‘need’ to be on these drugs. I’m not saying they aren’t ever beneficial or appropriate. I am saying they are significantly overprescribed. I have worked with plenty of children who didn’t need an antipsychotic, they needed engaged, supportive adults in their life.)

From the article:

“And it’s the growing use of the drugs in kids — particularly for conditions in which the benefit is unclear — that makes the potential diabetes risk concerning, according to Dr. Jonathan Mink, chief of child neurology at the University of Rochester Medical Center in New York.

“These medications can be very helpful in certain settings,” said Mink, who is also part of a pediatric advisory panel to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. In September, the panel recommended that the agency keep monitoring the risks of weight gain and diabetes in children on antipsychotics.

The drugs are often effective, for example, in managing aggressive behavior in children with autism. In other cases — like ADHD, Mink noted — the effectiveness, if any, has not been established.”

I’m not knowledgable enough about autism and current treatments to offer an opinion about whether antipsychotics are appropriate in that case. I can tell you, however, that I’ve seen antipsychotics prescribed to children living in group homes with ‘behavior problems’, and that the main ‘benefit’ is that they turn the kids into overweight zombies. I’m only exaggerating a little bit. These are powerful drugs, and we don’t have a good understanding of how they work. Bad combination.

“For now, Mink said that parents of children on antipsychotics should be sure their doctor regularly checks their child’s weight and blood sugar, to detect any signs of trouble early.

And if your child’s doctor recommends an antipsychotic, Mink said, don’t hesitate to ask questions — including whether there are any alternative treatments, and what the plan will be for monitoring your child for side effects.”

While you’re at it, you might want to ask your doctor if they receive any money from drug companies, as well as when they last received a visit from a drug rep pushing Zyprexa or another antipsychotic. Don’t underestimate the influence of the drug companies, looking for another market for their poorly performing drugs.