I recently read the statistic from the Uplift Program , which read: “Pre-schoolers are the fastest-growing market for antidepressants. At least four percent of preschoolers over a million are clinically depressed.”
Are. You. Kidding. Me.
Okay, so I feel like I should defend my reaction to this bold statement. For being on a counseling shift, from my little experience as it is, I completely understand that mental illness can, and about half of the time, will be from genetic and family histories, with real grounds for needs of medication. But what about the other half of the time? People with family histories that do not include mental illness suddenly are popping up with these DSM IV diagnosed “Adjustment disorder with or without Anxiety or Depression.” (Which, by the way, is the most over diagnosed condition from the DSM from counselor-perspectives).
And for preschool children? Shouldn’t they be out playing on a swingset with their neighborhood friends, playing with the dog, or playing dress up? I think the key word in that string of thoughts was “play“. Kids are growing up too fast these days, there is not enough time for their mental development, which involves play, to really take force. Children are going to school earlier, having more responsibility earlier in life, learning the hardships of life through divorce and deaths in the family…no wonder why this statistic says what it does. Children are now being treated as small adults, who historically have had a higher percentage of depression rates, compared to that of children. Clearly now that role is being reversed.
Where along the course of mental health history in the United States did we shift from teaching individuals (who do not need a biological necessity of neuroleptic or anti-depressant medication, like, oh….I don’t know…toddlers?) to pushing pills for adjustment disorders. Why are preschoolers the fastest-growing market for antidepressants? Is it their social environment, their family environment, poor parenting skills, surrounding media, drug endorsement advertisement, or push from pediatricians influenced by drug companies?
I have two little sisters: one is 5 and the other is 3 years old. To be honest, reading this quote really scared me, which is probably why my reaction in this post is so strong. How can I prevent them from being part of this terrifying statistic? How can I promote them to have a healthy lifestyle, learn how to deal with stress, and help them become the best girls that they can be? I guess that is essentially a rhetorical question for now, but I have some ideas…
I recently read the statistic from the Uplift Program , which read: “Pre-schoolers are the fastest-growing market for antidepressants. At least four percent of preschoolers over a million are clinically depressed.”
Are. You. Kidding. Me.
Okay, so I feel like I should defend my reaction to this bold statement. For being on a counseling shift, from my little experience as it is, I completely understand that mental illness can, and about half of the time, will be from genetic and family histories, with real grounds for needs of medication. But what about the other half of the time? People with family histories that do not include mental illness suddenly are popping up with these DSM IV diagnosed “Adjustment disorder with or without Anxiety or Depression.” (Which, by the way, is the most over diagnosed condition from the DSM from counselor-perspectives).
And for preschool children? Shouldn’t they be out playing on a swingset with their neighborhood friends, playing with the dog, or playing dress up? I think the key word in that string of thoughts was “play“. Kids are growing up too fast these days, there is not enough time for their mental development, which involves play, to really take force. Children are going to school earlier, having more responsibility earlier in life, learning the hardships of life through divorce and deaths in the family…no wonder why this statistic says what it does. Children are now being treated as small adults, who historically have had a higher percentage of depression rates, compared to that of children. Clearly now that role is being reversed.
Where along the course of mental health history in the United States did we shift from teaching individuals (who do not need a biological necessity of neuroleptic or anti-depressant medication, like, oh….I don’t know…toddlers?) to pushing pills for adjustment disorders. Why are preschoolers the fastest-growing market for antidepressants? Is it their social environment, their family environment, poor parenting skills, surrounding media, drug endorsement advertisement, or push from pediatricians influenced by drug companies?
I have two little sisters: one is 5 and the other is 3 years old. To be honest, reading this quote really scared me, which is probably why my reaction in this post is so strong. How can I prevent them from being part of this terrifying statistic? How can I promote them to have a healthy lifestyle, learn how to deal with stress, and help them become the best girls that they can be? I guess that is essentially a rhetorical question for now, but I have some ideas…