Overmedicated and Undereducated
Olivia Silveri
Persuasive essay
English 1510
April 13th, 2012
Overmedicated and Undereducated Tardive Dyskinesia is defined as the involuntary loss of muscle control, most common around the mouth and/or neck. Also, TD is commonly referred to as a tick ranging from mild to severe cases. It is just one of many negative effects obtained when taking psychotropic or psychiatric medications for long term. Not until recently, these side effects occurred mostly in the elderly because they began taking these medications as fully matured adults. Now these potentially life threatening, life altering, drugs are being given to our children without the proper studies done to avoid or acknowledge the adverse effects on a growing body and mind. Not only are these drugs dangerous, but very often are replaceable with much safer and more efficient alternative therapies or cognitive behavior skills that can be taught to benefit a child in short as well as long term results. In my opinion, the most disturbing fact about overmedicating children is not just the appalling long list of unfavorable physical consequences on a growing body, but the psychological dependence and detrition that a child can develop while being administrated these drugs as well. Addictive behavior, drug dependence, and suicidal tendencies are only some of the possible psychological disadvantages. In general, psychotropic and psychiatric medications do not have the proper testing with children to support them, are very easily avoidable with alternate therapies, and have a stunningly large list of negative physical and psychological effects. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) is one of the most advanced pharmaceutical systems in the world. For a new drug to pass the FDA must first approve multiple variables surrounding the new medication. For instance, the drug company must provide proper evidence to support that their products, both generic and name brand, work properly and have more
Persuasive essay
English 1510
April 13th, 2012
Overmedicated and Undereducated Tardive Dyskinesia is defined as the involuntary loss of muscle control, most common around the mouth and/or neck. Also, TD is commonly referred to as a tick ranging from mild to severe cases. It is just one of many negative effects obtained when taking psychotropic or psychiatric medications for long term. Not until recently, these side effects occurred mostly in the elderly because they began taking these medications as fully matured adults. Now these potentially life threatening, life altering, drugs are being given to our children without the proper studies done to avoid or acknowledge the adverse effects on a growing body and mind. Not only are these drugs dangerous, but very often are replaceable with much safer and more efficient alternative therapies or cognitive behavior skills that can be taught to benefit a child in short as well as long term results. In my opinion, the most disturbing fact about overmedicating children is not just the appalling long list of unfavorable physical consequences on a growing body, but the psychological dependence and detrition that a child can develop while being administrated these drugs as well. Addictive behavior, drug dependence, and suicidal tendencies are only some of the possible psychological disadvantages. In general, psychotropic and psychiatric medications do not have the proper testing with children to support them, are very easily avoidable with alternate therapies, and have a stunningly large list of negative physical and psychological effects. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) is one of the most advanced pharmaceutical systems in the world. For a new drug to pass the FDA must first approve multiple variables surrounding the new medication. For instance, the drug company must provide proper evidence to support that their products, both generic and name brand, work properly and have more