Do You Worry About Your Child Taking Medications?
Wednesday April 16, 2008
A very stressful reality for parents of children or teens who struggle with mental illnesses such as depression and bipolar disorder is weighing the pros and cons of medications. Do the benefits of improved well-being and functioning outweigh the problems associated with side effects and long term use? This is a question I had to personally answer and I can tell you it was one of the most difficult decisions I’ve had to make. Is this a decision you are struggling with?
Dr. Richard A. Friedman, a professor of psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medical College, offers a perspective that I believe is very helpful assessing both perspectives. He asks, “What do I say to a depressed patient who is doing well after five years on such a drug but can’t stop without a depressive relapse and who wants reassurance that the drug has no long-term adverse effects?” His insightful response can be found in "Who Are We? Coming of Age on Antidepressants" published in the New York Times.
~ Kimberly
Comments
When my daughter was diagnosed with Bipolar at age 13, my husband and I had to fight our way through the guilt and worry of administering all those meds to her. But, in the last 5 years since diagnosis, we have all realized that without those medications, our daughter would not be alive.
So when that question arises, my daughter asks herself this question “Am I better with or without my meds?” and her answer is always “I’m better with them and will deal with any side effects as they come” - and so, we give them, she takes them and we pray that there will be no long-term less than desirable effects.
I just happened across your blog. This isn’t Germain to your conversation today so I won’t babble on. I’m glad I found your site and I will be back often.
We don’t have any kids at home but if I did I wouldn’t hesitate to medicate them knowing how it has leveled me out.