Summary
The Medicated Child (2008) documentary addresses the prevailing issue of medicating or overly medicating children. Frontline initially reported on the rising epidemic in 2001, however this film focuses on their follow up documentary in 2008. The film follows families and children longitudinally to attempt to find out the long term effects of behaviorally modifying medication use. The film describes that nearly one million children in the years leading to 2008 when the documentary was filmed were diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. In 2008, the diagnosis of Bipolar disorder in children was emerging and many parents in the film felt that the diagnosis was the key explanation to their child’s behavioral issues. Many children who had behavioral …show more content…
Although, the documentary was difficult to watch most of the time, it definitely changed the clinical position I previously had on medicating children. Previously, the stance on medication was that children should be medicated if it helps them. However, as research has continually exhibited, pharmacology and therapy are effective treatments when provided together (Glick, 2004). Children should absolutely be medicated if it helps them with their symptoms and can provided them a better quality of life. Medication has provided various options for patients and their families (Glick, 2004) however, children should not be medicated without follow-up, constant monitoring of side effects, and ensuring the benefits outweigh the risks for treatment. As many patients feel that they will be on medication forever, it is essential for doctors to provide education on mediation and the process they will be undergoing (Kahn, 2003). With the increasing usage of the Diagnostic Statistical Manual (DSM), it is essential for those in the field to utilize the information provided in the DSM on a case by case basis, in order to ensure that the appropriate diagnosis is provided to decrease further repercussions pharmacologically. Though, the documentary was enraging at various points, it was also very educational. Research by Glick (2004), expresses that clinicians need to address the person and the illness together and not separately. As the field continues to grow, more changes in relation to pharmacology and psychotherapy will also
The Medicated Child (2008) documentary addresses the prevailing issue of medicating or overly medicating children. Frontline initially reported on the rising epidemic in 2001, however this film focuses on their follow up documentary in 2008. The film follows families and children longitudinally to attempt to find out the long term effects of behaviorally modifying medication use. The film describes that nearly one million children in the years leading to 2008 when the documentary was filmed were diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. In 2008, the diagnosis of Bipolar disorder in children was emerging and many parents in the film felt that the diagnosis was the key explanation to their child’s behavioral issues. Many children who had behavioral …show more content…
Although, the documentary was difficult to watch most of the time, it definitely changed the clinical position I previously had on medicating children. Previously, the stance on medication was that children should be medicated if it helps them. However, as research has continually exhibited, pharmacology and therapy are effective treatments when provided together (Glick, 2004). Children should absolutely be medicated if it helps them with their symptoms and can provided them a better quality of life. Medication has provided various options for patients and their families (Glick, 2004) however, children should not be medicated without follow-up, constant monitoring of side effects, and ensuring the benefits outweigh the risks for treatment. As many patients feel that they will be on medication forever, it is essential for doctors to provide education on mediation and the process they will be undergoing (Kahn, 2003). With the increasing usage of the Diagnostic Statistical Manual (DSM), it is essential for those in the field to utilize the information provided in the DSM on a case by case basis, in order to ensure that the appropriate diagnosis is provided to decrease further repercussions pharmacologically. Though, the documentary was enraging at various points, it was also very educational. Research by Glick (2004), expresses that clinicians need to address the person and the illness together and not separately. As the field continues to grow, more changes in relation to pharmacology and psychotherapy will also