New From Peter Breggin: “We Should Work Towards a Prohibition Against Giving Psychiatric Drugs to Children”

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A new article by Peter Breggin, in the journal Children & Society, outlines The Rights of Children and Parents In Regard to Children Receiving Psychiatric Diagnoses and Drugs: “. . . This article addresses the scientific and moral question of whether it is ever in the best interests of a child to be given a psychiatric drug.”

Breggin, P.; The Rights of Children and Parents In Regard to Children Receiving Psychiatric Diagnoses and Drugs. Children & Society. Online 17 APR 2014. DOI: 10.1111/chso.12049

From the article:

“Based on the author’s extensive clinical, forensic and research experience, this article addresses the scientific and moral question of whether it is ever in the best interests of a child to be given a psychiatric drug. The focus is on the diagnosis Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and stimulant drugs, and on the diagnosis Bipolar Disorder and antipsychotic (neuroleptic) drugs. The conclusion is that we should work towards a prohibition against giving psychiatric drugs to children, and instead focus on safe and effective alternative ways of meeting the needs of children within their families, schools and society.”

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Kermit Cole
Kermit Cole, MFT, founding editor of Mad in America, works in Santa Fe, New Mexico as a couples and family therapist. Inspired by Open Dialogue, he works as part of a team and consults with couples and families that have members identified as patients. His work in residential treatment — largely with severely traumatized and/or "psychotic" clients — led to an appreciation of the power and beauty of systemic philosophy and practice, as the alternative to the prevailing focus on individual pathology. A former film-maker, he has undergraduate and master's degrees in psychology from Harvard University, as well as an MFT degree from the Council for Relationships in Philadelphia. He is a doctoral candidate with the Taos Institute and the Free University of Brussels. You can reach him at [email protected].

20 COMMENTS

  1. “Antipsychotic medications and mood stabilizers have been proven to be effective in treating oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder.”

    nami.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Mental_Illnesses/ADHD/ADHD_and_Coexisting_Conditions.htm

    Not according to the food and drug administration or FDA

    Antipsychotic medications and mood stabilizers have been proven to be effective in treating oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder in children by who ?

    Who proved that ??? Who said its safe, effective ? 1 (800) 950-NAMI

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  2. You’re not allowed to slap children, but you are allowed to poison them. When I was small, long ago, I was slapped now and again, I was definately allowed to argue, and I was often put in my place by a clever put down.

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  3. I read the article, Peter Breggin is correct on all accounts, except the same should also be true of adults. The psychiatric drugs should not be used to cover up easily recognized iatrogenic artifacts by paranoid of malpractice suit physicians or religions that want to cover up sexual abuse of children either. Psychiatry is currently being used for such unethical purposes.

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