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Q: “Are we overmedicating our kids?”

Here is an interesting question raised by the editors of Parenting magazine in their November 2007 issue. While the article focuses greatly on the use of medication to treat bipolar disorder in children as young as 2, the implications are just as relevant for you and ADHD.

A: This is a tough question to answer unequivocally.

In most cases, I would advise parents to seriously consider what else might be affecting their child’s behavior before immediately turning to medication as the first step in treatment, or as an answer.

Medication is almost always suggested today, and unfortunately there can be several downsides to treating behavioral disorders with medication:

Quick fix: Parents looking to find answers to return to some sort of normal life.

Cover Up: Medication, in some cases, can only cover up the larger issues that might be affecting the child.

Label: Once we think we have the answer, the child can easily become a statistic based on the diagnosis and not as an individual.

Self-fulfilling prophecy: In this case, the child is thought to have ADHD, is responded to as such, and in return, he or she behaves that way.

But what about when medication really is warranted?

I have spoken a great deal about keeping medications at an arms length, and as a last resort in treating behavioral disorders. While there are biological factors that can only be treated by medication, ADHD and other such diagnoses are frequently overused today.

The bottom line answer is that, yes there are instances where medication is necessary and called for.

While I don’t like to see children as young as 2 years of age being prescribed several medications, including stimulants and psychotropic medications, there can be a need for it.

The stories of parents whose child exhibits uncontrollable mood swings hit the heart, regardless of whether you are a parent or medical professional.

When your child is “out of control,” medications sometimes really is the first step.

I truly wish that I could tell you when the right time is for medication versus not using medication, but there is no formula or rule to follow. Rather, these decisions must be, and should really be made, on a case by case basis.

If you think your child’s uncontrollable outbursts, mood swings, and inattention truly are signs of a disorder like ADHD, then I would urge you to check with your child’s medical doctors to see if medication is warranted.

And as always, I would like you to first consider what else might be contributing to your child’s difficulties, before assuming he or she has ADHD.

To learn more about ADHD and what might really be impacting your child, I invite you to visit and sign up for your 7 part mini-course on the dirty little secrets behind ADHD.

I would also like to invite you to ask your most pressing question about ADHD and how it could be affecting your family and your child.

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