Antipsychotics for Poor Kids Soar, Mostly for Behavior Problems

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Cross-sectional analysis by the University of Maryland and Johns Hopkins University of 456,315 youths enrolled in Medicaid between 1997 and 2006 finds that the use of antipsychotics skyrocketed up to 12x, “and reflects”, according to the authors, “increased medication use for behavioral problems.” The results appeared in Psychiatric Services this month.

Abstract →

Zito, M., Burcu, M., Ibe, A., et al; Antipsychotic Use by Medicaid-Insured Youths: Impact of Eligibility and Psychiatric Diagnosis Across a Decade. Psychiatric Services 64(3); Online March 1, 2013

Of further interest:
Antipsychotic Use Skyrockets in America’s Poorest Children (Medscape Today)

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Kermit Cole
Kermit Cole is a licensed marriage and family therapist based in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He and his partner, Luisa Putnam, joined by their mutual interest in working with trauma and psychosis, studied Open Dialogue in Finland and Peer-supported Open Dialogue in the UK in order to practice and teach as a team. In 2011, they joined with Robert Whitaker to found the Mad in America website

3 COMMENTS

  1. Entire generations are being turned into permanent patients in the system. We are losing those individuals who think out of the box, those who come up with new and innovative ideas, creations, and inventions. Anyone who doesn’t conform gets zapped with the toxic drugs, even if their parents fight the system.

    This is also a concerted effort to decimate and control the African American community and is used in conjunction with the supposed “war against drugs.” In the ’60’s and early ’70’s the number of young, African American men incarcerated in mental hospitals rose significantly and they were labeled as schizophrenic and then drugged to the gills.

    The government, drug companies, and psychiatry have slithered into bed with one another and all of this is the end result.

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