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'We had to hide the knives'

CAROLYN ABRAHAM

First published Feb. 16, 2008

Latest comment posted at 7:16 AM EST 16/02/08

It wasn't the diagnosis of bipolar disorder that shocked Keli Anderson, it was her son's age. At 9, James was talking about killing himself ...Read the full article

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  1. ALASTAIR JAMES BERRY from Nanaimo BC, Canada writes: Once a suicide risk always a suicide risk.........It's a lttle bit like having 'an alcohol problem'....It may appear 'cured' but if the pressure on an individual mounts there is the increasing risk of a relapse.

    A leopard cannot change it's spots, as the old saw goes.
  2. John Deriso from Canada writes: I have recently come across a documentary about manic depression hosted by Stephen Fry called 'The Secret Life Of The Manic Depressive', which does discuss this very issue, among other things.

    The BBC has set up a website with a lot of useful resources on it at the following address: http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/tvandradio/secretlife_index.shtml
  3. Janice Cooper from West Kootenays, British Columbia, Canada writes: my mom committed suicide in 1975. when I was 17 and she was 42. In retrospect, I know she was depressed or bi-polor, or whatever. She probably knew it too, but it wasn't easy then to go to a doctor and talk about that stuff. Unhappily, I believe it's still difficult to talk about mental health issues, and that has to change.
  4. Joe Liberali from Canada writes: While studying philosophy in university I met a lot of odd thinkers and misfits, and of the intellectuals, many had contemplated suicide and nothingness at strange and early ages. I'm confident that all adults have contemplated it. I'm confident that not all children know how to express this and that this leads to unfortunate beliefs about the human mind.
  5. Roop Misir from Toronto, Canada writes: When conventional treatments fail, why consider not trying meditation not medication, or simple breathing techniques to restore homeostasis to restore internal balance of the body, mind and soul?
  6. Mike McFae from Canada writes: Janice , you should take some small comfort in the fact that it is changing although maybe too slowly. Joe, you're very right that there were many odd thinkers in your philosopy class as I strongly disagree with your stated belief that all adults have contemplated suicide ( is that what you are really saying ? )
  7. Mike McFae from Canada writes: Hey Roop, weren't you in Joe's philosopy class ?
  8. Roop Misir from Toronto, Canada writes:
    Mike McFae from Canada writes:

    Hey Roop, weren't you in Joe's philosopy class?

    No Mike, but only yesterday, I attended a PD session for Ontario Teachers. Very enlightening indeed. We were appraised on about the Art of Living.

    (Perhaps the other 'Roop' was a brother.

    Thanks Mike.
  9. Theodore Street from Canada writes: I thought kids should be accorded some measure of privacy.
  10. Toast Jam from Toronto, Canada writes: It's good to see a thoughtful article on something that no one ever talks about. There is nothing that is more stigmatized or misunderstood than mental illness, especially bipolar disorder. My father has bipolar disorder. For our family, my brother and I in particular, it has been a force that has shaped all our lives. It's something that can suck the air out its environment, impacting many things beyond the health of the individual. I can't comment on diagnosis or treatment in childhood, but I can say that from experience that untreated, undiagnosed and undiscussed, bipolar disorder can be the foundation on which a raft of other personality issues can grow. Manic-depressives are highly intelligent, and when in a manic state are self-serving, mercurial, devious and possessing the belief that their logic is operating on a higher plane than the rest of us folk. Can you imagine trying to convince a person like that that they are 'ill'? Can you imagine how a personality gets shaped as it experiences life through a contorted lens shaped by a self-delusion and thoughts of grandeur? Personally, I believe the sooner that parents can identify that something isn't right and deal with it in a way that helps the sufferer understand that the disease is something outside themselves (ei. not their natural personality), and like diabetes (which studies show it is linked to), the better chances for the whole family to have a more normal life.
  11. Louise Pharand Doren from Toronto, Canada writes:
    It's sad as a civilized society how we self-flagellate, abnegate and slow down when it comes to accommodating others but we completely overlook the need to pause, take stock, and decompress to nurture the ones who will one day replace us. Bipolar disorder is a product of civilization, along with stress - it's not found in tribes.. - and the rush of communications, immediate consumption, and children having to roll with changes in families, unheard of scenarios of violence in schools etc... pardon the bluntness but who wouldn't flip? If we can make political, societal, structural changes that cost millions, surely we can spare time and expense to bring our level of well-being back to more humane standards. We'd be stupid to self-destroy, which we are, when we let children not find their footing, their bearings, before pushing them to perform. It's not working! And the growing numbers of children on medication proves it. We're not eternal without them.
  12. concerned canadian from Canada writes: Toast Jam, your description of the impact of Bipolar Disorder on the personality of the sufferer as well as on his family is very real because you understand it well as you had to live with its devastating effect.
    I hope Dr. Duffy would understand it as well as you do.
    Dr. Biederman has studied and published many insightful articles on ADHD and Bipolar Disorder in children for more than 20 years, he is an authority on the subject.

  13. Gizella Oehm from Toronto, Canada writes: I have known a number of people diagnosed as bipolar, and have even discussed with some of them what happens when they swing into mania or down into depression. It IS a terrible disease. But oh, how I wish there was a little more focus on finding ways to treat it in a less brutal way than with medication. Bipolar people when they are coasting in the middle of their cycle (before they enter a manic phase or a truly depressive phase), are often among the brightest, most charming people you can meet. The drugs cripple their personalities (and their minds), which is why so many of them get off the drugs as soon as they feel 'better'. Someone in this discussion mentioned alternatives, such as meditation (and was dissed by some other commentator). But why not? Our psychiatric professionals spends WAY too much time thinking up chemical soups to serve their patients, rather than reaching out them as human beings.
  14. Melissa Thornton from Ottawa, Canada writes: Wow. his read brought me to tears, as I was diagnosed with bipolar in September 2000 at age 19. Eight years on, I'm still medicated and beginning to understand that it is not a failure on my part, but a disease that needs to be treated. Like diabetes, any mental illness is a chronic condition that requires monitoring; you would never blame someone for their pancreas not working, or their liver or their heart, but many people afflicted with mental illnesses often get told to 'cheer up' or (in my case) 'calm down' as if we have some sort of control over our brains. The brain is a mystery, even now in 2008. Bipolar is not a 'sexy' disease and thus does not garner the research dollars to look into better drugs with less contraindicators. Mania especially, is quite misunderstood and is often viewed as a 'fun' mental illness; I've had people say 'wow, it would be great to have that much energy' or 'you must be so productive when you don't sleep'. While I understand that they're probably just trying to make light of the situation to feel more at ease, making those kind of comments is super hurtful to those of us that have to battle it out every day... I'd love nothing more than to have to pop pills to stay 'normal'. There's a massive stigma attached... telling new friends or a boyfriend about my condition is a huge risk and I've had people walk out on me because of it. I can comfort myself by knowing that I wouldn't want to be close to characters that weak anyway, but it is still a battle. As many people know, it is a pain to keep taking medication for a cold or ear infection after you feel better; I've 'felt better' for 7.5 years but I have to force myself to ingest these toxins and be thankful that I live in a country where they are accessible and that I have insurance to help me pay the cost. Thanks for the space to say this; I send strength to everyone out there dealing with this or helping a family member through a crisis. It's tough - success is possible.
  15. Kim Huynh from Montreal, Canada writes: It appears that after decades of research, when it comes to the understanding of the mind, we still have a long way to go. The goal of the pharmaceutical companies is to make money. And doctors showered with free gifts and perks will be willing to promote or experiment new drugs. The side effects will be dealt with years later or not at all. To make a right diagnose it just like to ask the right question before you can get the right answer. We should learn to realize that the mind is not just a car's engine. The Cartesian model of human body is still very much appreciated and applied through sciences. Perhaps, we can find a better alternative.
  16. Mike Quinlan from Gatineau QC, Canada writes: Pardon the pun but this is insane. 2 years old, 4, 6, 9, 11 are being labelled and having their brain and body development affected and most likely compromised. Why? The whole turn of thought here is to fix the kid so that he or she is chemically straightjacketed and will thereby be less behaviouraly problematic for the parent, nanny, teacher, day care attendant, and or doctor. This notion of fixing chemical imbalances in the brain, implies that we have much greater knowledge of the complexities of human brain than we really presently do. If medicine knew how to fix such problems there would be a healing, restoring the person to health, but that is not what is being done. Rather they are now implying that the patient is biologically faulty and they propose to treat this defect with an arsenal of different psychotropic agents for life, not to mention the succeeding defects they will discover thru inintended side-effects that will require further medication. The truth in this rush to medicate is that no one knows why some medications can treat some individuals but not others suffering the same conditions. The further assumption is that the child is supposed to readily adapt and stay within some normal broadband of emotional reactions. There is not enough consideration to what is actually going on in the child's life and to what he or she is expressing anger about even if immaturaly. I know such a child as is being described here. Looks like she will be medicated because her parents and teachers insist. She is eight years old. She has moved homes 7 times, suffered a very tumultuous homelife including divorce, bankruptcy, being manipulated into an emotional tug of war between the parents, 2 weeks with the father and then 2 weeks with the mother for 4 years now, changed shools 3 times...I am sure you get the picture. So she gets in fights at school and suffers anger issues. What this girl needs and is screaming for is loving care and attention, not lithium.
  17. Oslo Karmen from Canada writes: Louise! You seem to have missed the line explaining BPD as a chemical imbalance!
  18. Florence Kirk from Canada writes: I am 76 and the mother of five (within a five year period) children and a long time association with dogs as pets needing training. I have found how easily moods swings are escaliated in either of the above by the state of mind of their closest human associates. I recommend that pyschiatrists examine the way trainers of animals get results not using medications. Compare the results of poor trainers as compared to the results of successful trainers who patiently, with a calm, consistent, unexciteable and a loving (or if this is too strong a caring,) approach. I now have a dog of 11 yeers which I trained myself. She still listens to my council about 90% of the time and always wants and enjoys hugs. I continue to enjoy my now succedssful children and did not have time to focus on only one of them. Now, rather late in life, I regret (ignoring their tantrums and along with many yeses and nos) not having given my young children many more hugs. I so admire those families who have this wonderful way of supporting each other by such outward shows of affection.
  19. Dana Cruickshank from Canada writes: The problem is that a lot of psychological disorders can't be characterized by concrete symptoms like cancer, diabetes or even the flu. So when you give drugs that we don't fully understand, or understand how they act on the body, its a very dangerous thing in my opinion. Psychology isn't a science at all, and because of that, I would be very hesitant to put a child on drugs. Although, I guess its better to do something than nothing
  20. Too Late from Toronto, Canada writes: Gizella, I read your comment with much heartache- do not ever give up as my late husband did 13 years ago.
    My dear husband was so aptly described by Gizella,'Bipolar people when they are coasting in the middle of their cycle (before they enter a manic phase or a truly depressive phase), are often among the brightest, most charming people you can meet.'
    Everyone loved him. He was brilliant. He hid his disease so well ( I didn't even know- I just thought he had depressive periods but when he was happy, it was wondeful). He medicated himself with alcohol. He was finally treated for alchoholism, but, since his bi-polar depression was not recognized, despite good intentions and treatment, he could no longer control the alcoholism and when the bi-polar disorder was finally recognized, it was too late. I wish there was some way for everyone to recognize and accept mental illness as part of the human condition.
  21. diana diana from Toronto, Canada writes: I work in a school and have seen children suffer from bi-polar and devasting depression and medication works. Parents and educational professionals only use medication as the last resort but I am thankful we live in a society and an era where these drugs are available. In the past my friends with bi-polar tried several suicide attempts. their marriages ended, they lost their professions and life on earth was a living hell. At least in Canada we have access to medical care and drugs. When these children are on their medication they can function, attend school and do their work and make friends - they aren't considered the 'freaks' or 'bad' anymore.
  22. I Put the D in Ion from ooh la la, France writes: Mike Quinlan from Gatineau QC, Canada writes: Pardon the pun but this is insane...

    So you know someone who is insisting that their child go on medication... and I know someone who has tried everything but medication with zero success and as a last resort had to put their bi-polar child on meds.

    Thankfully their decision to go this route was done with the input of Doctors, Specialists and other Professionals and not on the advice of people like you and me.
  23. blair anderson from Barrie, Canada writes: Its good that the g&m published an article like this to get mental illness out into the light, as it is still very highly stigmatized. My younger brother committed suicide just over a year ago (17), and my sister suffers from anxiety. I believe I also suffer from depression, however I do my best to try and hide it from everyone. No one knew my brother had depression before it was too late, so he was never on any meds or anything. I see the meds my sister takes, she takes at least 10-12 pills a day. I've never taken anything for my depression.
    I think that for younger kids, you shouldn't ovr medicate them - doctors are too quick too diagnose at a young age, and will more than likely diagnose in what they specialize in.
    I'm trying to learn a bit more about mental illness for my own self nterest.
    I believe that through proper diet and exercise, you could control alot of the 'so called metal illness dignoses in children today. From my experience, the more I go out and excerice, and the healthier I eat, I ultimately feel better about myself. And alot of kids today lack the proper nutrition, and excercise, which is most likely a contributing factor in the rise of mental illness.
  24. The Economic Hitman jr. from Vancouver, Canada writes: -- from the article

    'It does concern me, the side effects,' she said. 'But we don't think she can function without her meds … the risk is that she is suicidal, and we'd rather have her with us.'

    ----------------------------------------------

    But, how does that marry with what she may or may not want?

    A lifetime of taking powerful drugs, dealing with their side effects, rolling through perscription changes and the inevitable adjustment periods, dealing with the residual influences of the disorder.

    Life is more nuanced than simply being alive or dead.
  25. Toast Jam from Toronto, Canada writes: It's really frustrating to me to hear so many people comment on a topic that they so clearly know nothing about - as though a chemical imbalance and the resulting behavioural issues can be hugged out the same way one can condition a dog to sit and roll over. Bipolar, like ALL classified mental disorders, is a physical imbalance balance of chemistry. I sympathize with the story of the young girl in Mike Quinlan's account and sincerely hope that any health pro involved in her care examines the breadth of the environmental factors in her life before turning to the prescription pad. However, it is the job of family and the psychiatric community to help a sufferer understand what is beyond a normal reaction to stressors; belying a cause of something chemical. It's so vulgar to hear some people talk as though striving to help a child find balance is a selfish act on the part of parents. To me what would be beyond cruelty is to deny an ill child medical assistance for a mental disorder that is no less medically-based than diabetes or MS 9which we would all cry foul if a parent said 'oh no, we're going to treat our child using love and affection'). What torn our family apart is not my father's illness itself, but his refusal to accept treatment. In his case, his bipolar was characterized by extreme violence and aggressive and controlling behaviour and eventual breakdown into a full blown psychotic break that resulted in hospitalization. Yet still, he refuses on-going treatment. The stigma even in his mind is so strong that to admit 'mental illness' is somehow to admit weakness of character. I commend Melissa Thorton for so bravely tackling and talking about your struggle and I challenge anyone who so freely offers an uneducated opinion to learn more a what, in fact, bipolar is. Maybe then sufferers, family and peanut gallery alike can soberly regard bipolar for what it is: a MEDICAL issue and make health care decisions accordingly.
  26. Mike Quinlan from Gatineau QC, Canada writes: 'I guess its better to do something rather than nothing', is I think in part a great synopsis of why in a sense we have these situations. Especially when we want to turn so readily to the person who proposes some new action. Actions can have both constructive and destructive repercussions. Sometimes it is better to do nothing but observe. What action there should be should be guided by the deeper instincts of the heart, and never a rush to judgement to quell what upon deeper reflection are manifestations of our own anxieties.
    Reality shows that there is a continuum of things that can and do happen in our present system of dealing with the mentally ill. The recent story about the situation in New Brunswick, points out that horrific things do happen. We need to stop thinking of mental illness as cancer and treating it chemically. Its amazing what an affect diet and exercise can have. Throw in some loving understanding and trust and you have one potent healing mix particularly for kids. Meditation is also exellent, though uncomfortable for some personality types at first. Learning to still and to observe how thoughts pop up and feeling are sensed in your body, and mindfully letting them go is a great practice for anyone.
  27. Chrissy Simon from Canada writes: It must be horrible to lose control of oneself as seems to be the case for people with chemical imbalances. I wonder if sometimes the onset of illness is triggered by environmental factors such as stress. I'm thinking of the poor little girl in Mike Quinlan's post. Have there been any studies on whether mental illness is escalated by stress or other environmental factors? I don't know much about the brain, but I understand that we all produce different chemicals or hormones to deal with different situations, for example: adreneline when we're threatened. Is it possible, in closely-monitored cases, to manage a person's environment to try and control the production of certain chemicals in the brain, or are we not there yet in terms of research?
  28. raine turner from Canada writes: yikes! I have a child now almost 21 who has suffered with 'something' his entire life- he has been on many medications- 'labelled ADHD- and was on one of the medications listed above once he hit 6- and that was many years ago. I quit my career job to work from home to offer him more support- and he has had a lot of family support. He went off his meds when he was 15 years old and the last 5 years have been like holding onto the tail end of a raging dragon- but he is finally pulling through. I wish those that had the pleasure of not having this in their life would stop being so judgemental - it is a family crisis- and many parents of children like this work very hard to help their children pull through. In additon- yes many folks with mania and other disorders are the most brilliant, creative and fun- they have so much more going on in their heads and sometime all the thoughts cannot slow down. Please have some compassion for both the children and the families strugglling with a mental illness- and do not judge so harsly - you may end up with the universe offering you the firsthand opportunity to learn about this through your children- grandchildren -- life is funnny how it makes us learn things. Also- mediation and breathing sounds like a great idea- BUT you cannot get these children to slow down to breathe! Perhaps when they are older- my son now does yoga and loves it- he is also no longer on medications and finally is getting his life together- kinda reverse from most illnesses- his seems to be going away at the age when most people are diagnosed with mania-- The best of luck to those and the families dealing with this- just do not give up!
  29. J S from Canada writes: Toast Jam - I could not put it more eloquently.
    ___________________
    The devastation of serious mental illness, not only to the person living it, but to those around him/her, is only mulitplied by the same stigma so evident in so many posts. To suggest that meditation alone would solve the problem is pure ignorance. However, for the record, most current 'best practice' therapies include diet, exercise and a completely holistic approach which could include meditation. These of course would be 'best practice' for any physical ailment as well. Why is it so very difficult for people to accept that the brain too is an organ that can be physically ill? Its chemical balance is important to normative behavioural functioning. Why do people so quickly blame parents (in the case of children) or the ill person? Is every person with a heart ailment in the very best of physical and mental health? Why then would we expect someone with a mental illness to have been a previously 'perfect' human specimen? It is time to end this ridiculous ignorance and stigma.
  30. Amy J from Canada writes: Would any of you say to someone suffering from diabetes or diagnosed with cancer that they should try meditation, or herbs, or getting more fresh air, instead of meds? Yes, mental illness (especially in children) is being over-diagnosed and many doctors (and parents!) are all too eager to start using drugs to cure problems that probably are not in fact caused by true chemical imbalance. But in situations where chemical imbalance is the problem, the meds can do wonders for people. The attitude that mental illness can be cured by meditation, or changes in diet, or getting more fresh air is antiquated, and it's shocking to hear that so many people still voice it.
  31. Amy J from Canada writes: Would any of you say to someone suffering from diabetes or diagnosed with cancer that they should try meditation, or herbs, or getting more fresh air, instead of meds? Yes, mental illness (especially in children) is being over-diagnosed and many doctors (and parents!) are all too eager to start using drugs to cure problems that probably are not in fact caused by true chemical imbalance. But in situations where chemical imbalance is the problem, the meds can do wonders for people. The attitude that mental illness can be cured by meditation, or changes in diet, or getting more fresh air is antiquated, and it's shocking to hear that so many people still voice it.
  32. Amy J from Canada writes: Would any of you say to someone suffering from diabetes or diagnosed with cancer that they should try meditation, or herbs, or getting more fresh air, instead of meds? Yes, mental illness (especially in children) is being over-diagnosed and many doctors (and parents!) are all too eager to start using drugs to cure problems that probably are not in fact caused by true chemical imbalance. But in situations where chemical imbalance is the problem, the meds can do wonders for people. The attitude that mental illness can be cured by meditation, or changes in diet, or getting more fresh air is antiquated, and it's shocking to hear that so many people still voice it.
  33. Amy J from Canada writes: JS wonderfully said, especially about the 'holistic' approach.
  34. The Wet One from Edmonchuk, Canada writes: As one who's mantra has been 'It's a good day to die' since about age 12 or thereabouts, I'm pretty sure childhood mental illness exists. Contemplation of suicide was perfectly normal for me for most of my life. I managed quite well till my third decade of life.

    Anyways, mental illness is something that ought to be taken seriously. The variety of plans and possibilities that have gone through this mind with regards to doing myself in would frighten most parents to death. To me, it's nothing, merely business as usual, but to most and especially parents (my poor poor mother...) it's rather hellish. For the benefit of parents (if not for the benefit of the sick, it hardly bothers me), treatment, better treatments and so forth are required. That said, I'm quite sure that the gates of heaven are always open, so why not die today?
  35. Mike Quinlan from Gatineau QC, Canada writes: Dear Toast Jam, I am not trying to stigmatise anyone, in fact quite the opposite. I want to de-stigmatise this notion that mental illness is something that affects others, and that those who suffer from it have something genetically or biologically wrong even if for some that very idea is helpfull and guilt and shame alleviating. The reality is, is that given sufficient stressors the result is much like torture and everybody cracks. In fact, I believe a vast majority of people experience at some point in their lives episodes in which their mental health becomes a struggle for them. The brain like the body can become sick but does heal though, and nobody should have a life-time label imposed on them. Someone very dear to me was labelled psychzophrenic and then manic depressive in his early twenties. He did hear voices that poundedly insisted he was deffective. He would bang his head against the wall. I did have to bring to him emergency. I saw them change his meds over and over again as time after time they would lose effectiveness even after multiple dosage increases. Then multiple drugs to combat side effects, work therapy such as stuffing envelopes. He gained eighty pounds by the time he was in his thirties and always had a tremor and was slow of speech and not really emotionaly there. The point of this, is that after years of hopelessness he realized that he had to put an end to all treatment. He says it took him 6 months to detox the meds from his system, and that he went through horrible withdrawal pains. He changed his diet, started running and biking, became disciplined with sleep habits, got a pet, and basically he got himself healthy in both mind and body. Today he is finishing his PhD and should begin lecturing at the University next fall. My point is that for most mental illness is not a life time thing unless we decide it is, and I dont think we should be doing that to the extent we do in our society both culturally and medically.
  36. Christine Laurin from Ottawa, Canada writes: I really think that the treatment of mental illness should be like any other illness. Just as a diabetic would be prescribed insulin shots AND advised to follow a healthy diet, those with mental illness can be prescribed medication AND advised to follow a healthy diet and exercise. As with diabetes, various mental illnesses have no 'cure,' but various medications and diet regimes can help to manage the symptoms. There are those who, after much soul-searching and research, often at the end of their rope, have agreed to take medication that has much improved their quality of life. However, unlike those with diabetes, they are subject to ignorant comments (by no doubt sincere and well-meaning people), who think that SOLELY through meditation, a healthy diet, more 'hugs', that they can be 'cured' of their mental illness. No one would say the same to a person with diabetes that they can be 'cured' this way. There really is a double-standard for those with mental illness.
  37. Peter Rembrandt from The Hammer, Canada writes: Nobody seems to think much about serious asthmatics on smog days....a real shame.
  38. Silver Fern from Canada writes: I have long considered my first born to be my greatest achievement, which in no way minimises the love I feel for her younger sister and brother. Their father is a wonderful man; although later we discovered he had a predisposition for depression, which he inherited from his mother. My first born was all I could ever hope for in a child; as a baby, she was intensely connected to me, loving, incredibly bright, and extremely sensitive. My mother called her 'highly strung'. The one blot on her was that from the time she was just 3 days old she had a tendency to hold her breath and black out. Some children do this deliberately as an attention seeking device. Our daughter had no control over it; it could happen several times a day, or not happen for weeks. Incredibly frightening, and it should have served as a precursor to how her life would pan out. It was not till later examinations by doctors that we made the connection. As she became older and entered puberty we noticed a dramatic change in her. Along with the hormonal changes, came black moods and deep depressive episodes, self-mutilation, and my charming little girl whom I loved so well, simply disappeared. She was replaced by a child we did not recognise, and frankly, at times we did not like very much. In desperation, we looked to doctors to help us find a way to deal with this situation. Unlike a broken leg which is obvious to all, mental illness is difficult to detect. A series of mis-diagnoses, which eventually concluded she is bi-polar 2, placement in various hospitals for observation after several suicide attempts, and a plethora of drugs later, our girl is now taking a daily course of lithium and is living a relatively normal life. She is now 20, lives on her own and has a good job with good prospects. I have my daughter back. Properly prescribed meds work if taken properly and consistently. No doubt about it!
  39. Peter Rembrandt from The Hammer, Canada writes: Hearing someone choke and gasp for air is a real tragedy when they could be walking outside enjoying what life has to offer.
  40. raine turner from Canada writes: Peter Rembrandt - be careful how you talk and make fun of folks- remember the universe is a strange place and sometimes we get to learn first hand.
  41. Unconditional Love from Toronto, Canada writes:

    Only in depth of ignorance of North American medical establishment, normal stage of every child's development can be diagnosed as a symptom of mental illness.

    When unsure of themselves and emotionally undeveloped parents engage their own child in vicious circle of conditional love or worse, parents clearly suffering from personality disorders like NPD or BPD engage their child in their own psychopathological dance, it is a sure recipe for rebellion and reactive mood swings of their offspring.

    Great many parents who are unaware of their own emotion due to their own stunned emotional development deny their own children any right to their own emotionality and this vicious circle continuous from one generation to next generation.

    It should not come as a surprise that in such poisoned parent/child relationships every naturally occurring attempt of a child to emotionally test his bond with his parent results in a dismal failure.

    Repeated attempts at emotional testing of child/parent relationship and child’s struggle for UNCONDITIONAL LOVE of his parents and that child’s inalienable right to walk tall on the face of this planet earn that child a label of mental misfit suffering from either ADHD or lately Bipolar Disorder.

    Despite of billions and billions of dollars spend on research and education when it comes to current state of affairs of North American psychiatry and psychopharmacology not much has changed in since the days of Salem Witch trials and snake oil sellers, what an irony??

    ----------

    Every child's evaluation/assessment has to be accompanied with independent/not-conflict-of-interests highly qualified assessment (post-PhD, even forensic, Psychologist) of child's parents and child's other close environment.

  42. Maureen Kerr from PEI, Canada writes: Mike Quinlan, I wish there were more stories similar to the one of the person you described, for it is inspiring. For years my son's behavior resembled depression and bipolar and ranged from aggression - punching, severe temper tantrums, to crying and wishing his little brother wouldn't turn out like him, to talking of killing himself which was absolutely devastating to hear my 7 year old son speak of. It went on for years and seemed to begin when my husband and I separated when he was 2 and a half. In the past three years after having three close friends diagnosed with breast cancer, I have researched holistic and natural healing and cut out sugar from our diet and added protein to every meal. We have also cut back on dairy and my son, if he's feeling a wave of emotions coming on will ask for a piece of cheese to 'make him happy' As well, we all dabble in yoga and meditation. I think it's important to be the change you want to see. It occurred to me that after my meat-eating husband left, I didn't pay much attention to consistently having protein in every meal and as a result my son was missing the fundamental nutrients that his body, cells and especially his brain, required. We haven't had 'an aggressive episode' in months and my sweet, loving, exuberant boy is back - consistently. He's now 8.
    The highs and lows from sugar can be detrimental to children, especially if they have an inherent sensitivity which can also include chemicals, pesticides, preservatives and toxins (often residual) that are found in dairy, meats and packaged food. An overgrowth of yeast is also often a culprit and worth looking into. Going back to a whole food diet should be considered in my opinion, for any child who suffers from these epidemic, new ailments - ADHD, severe allergies, mental disorders, etc. It takes discipline, knowledge, possibly cooking classes and an honest commitment to wanting to make a change.
  43. Jack Robinson from London, Canada writes: As someone who has survived eleven years of Clinical Depression... as well as two near-fatal suicide attempts; several mis-diagnosis including Bi-Polar Disorder; numerous locked-ward hospitalizations; a series of brain/behaviour-jolting ECT treatments and what amounted to a Pharmaceutical Lobotomy prescribed by 'an eminent authority on Mood Disorders' which resulted in the nightmare meltdown of Toxic Lithium Syndrome... I humbly submit the following:

    While mood disorders and other forms of mental illness may IN PART be attributable to genetic pre-disposition and neurochemical brain imbalances... personality, cognitive skills and above all environment are the key determinate factors in the onset, actual manifestations and prognosis... and must be uniquely considered in EVERY INDIVIDUAL'S particular case.

    No psychotropic drug, despite the clinical literature, will achieve the same degree of efficacy in any two patients... even when a 'therapeutic level' has been determined.

    Side-effects can be more devastating than the primary diagnosis, both immediately and over time. Maybe that's why the Big Blue Book (CPS) weighs over eight pounds.

    Two recently published reports, including a British study upon a 2000 patient sample group conducted over three years... strongly suggests that Cognitive Therapy is far more successful in treating mood disorders than chemical interventions.

    Stigma, including societal, peer, family, institutional and most wretchedly... self-directed... kills more people than craziness.

    The good news? After choosing to take responsibility for my own wellness and going off meds four years ago... I've kept the Black Dog at bay for over four years... maintaining a regimen of proper diet, daily exercise, productive activities, therapeutic supports and a measure of courageous optimism.

    And my paltry advice to parents: Toss the Dr. Seuss candy and opt for some manic Munch!
  44. J S from Canada writes: Jack Robinson, what has worked for you cannot be denied and should be celebrated. But no two brains are the same and no matter what anecdotal evidence we each may care to give regarding not taking medications, for some people they are necessary, along with healthy lifestyle choices. As for the studies you mentioned, lets not forget studies can show pretty much whatever they set out to and most looking at cognitive therapy vs medication show that of course there is an enormous benefit to therapy (even a huge placebo effect) but most don't suggest it at the exclusion of medications but rather in conjunction with meds. Of course, there are many problems that respond very well to cognitive therapy, depression included. But then, there are many types and severities of depression. Making this all a black and white argument based on anecdotal evidence does not help anyone learn more or even try to shed the stigma around mental illness. We all know someone for whom medication was not successful. Perhaps they were misdiagnosed. Perhaps the stressors referred to by another writer were bad enough to be a form of PTSD. It is just not helpful to attempt to simplify and nullify positive experience based on negative experience. Not all heart repairs are diagnosed or repaired properly and that is simple in comparison to the brain.
  45. Jeffrey Kentner from Hamilton, Canada writes: Poor James. The victim cold parents and professional mind butchers. He didn't get along with his class because his IQ was on average 30 points higher then theirs--meaning he had about as much in common with them, as the average person does with someone who's mentally retarded. You combined this with parents who probably equipped him with poor social skills and you've got a recipe for a victim. He'd tried to express that he didn't want to be around those people from grade one. By grade four he had become so ostracized that he was getting into regular fights and crying and begging his parents to make it stop. When they still did nothing, he said something that his smart little brain was sure they would listen to. He started talking about killing himself (unlike people who are actually thinking of killing themselves and don't want to inconvenience people that way). But instead of actually doing something about his environment, they decided to do something about him. And after a decade of drugs so damaging they're only given to those considered to be 'write-offs', his mother is impressed that he now has the friends he would have inevitably made anyway, once he got into larger social circles.

    Possibly these are some of the saddest words I have ever heard a mother say: '(the drugs) slowed his cognitive function'; 'He'll never be a doctor, but I was never going to define James by his intellect'. Maybe James would have liked to have been defined by his intellect had he'd had the chance.

    Never throw exceptionally bright kids (especially boys) in with the animals. James didn't need the chemical lobotomy. All he needed was to be put in a school for the gifted.
  46. Deb LOngawa from ottawa, Canada writes: Only individuals who have bipolar disorder or who have family members suffering from this debilitating condition can truly empathize.
    I shudder to think it is dismissed as the disease of the decade. It would appear that medical professionals are recognizing symptoms
    that meet the diagnostic criteria earlier; which is assisting with early
    treatment. This applies to any other mental health conditions whether
    it is autism or ADHD. The reality, being, is that bipolar disorder, like other mental health conditions encompasses a wide spectrum of behaviours- making it difficult to not only assess but also to treat.
    This illness does not only affect indidividuals with a high IQ. As this disorder is so complex, many physicians simply do not want to take on these patients as there is no 'quick fix' as is evident from the
    article. Patients as well as their loved ones must advocate for ongoing support and appropriate treatment.
  47. Jeffrey Kentner from Hamilton, Canada writes: Deb, I didn't mean to suggest that bi-polar was intelligence gone wrong. Only that in the story of James, I didn't hear anything that made me distinctively think of bi-polar.

    Chrissy Simon your observations are very astute. Yes, researchers have attributed environmental factors (usually stress) to some mental illnesses. Another disorder with a strong but not complete correlation in twin studies, Schizophrenia, is often linked to a stressful environment or event. But the resources don't exist for the government to protect people from stressful environments, they're too prevalent.

    Certainly genetic sensitivities are indicated in disorders like bi-polar but your 'chemical balance' is effected by your environment as well. Every time someone yells at you, intimidates you, neglects your feelings or even if some you love dies, it's like rocking a bowl of water back and forth and eventually it might spill over the edge. For some the edges of that bowl are higher than others.
  48. Rukshana Engineer from Canada writes: Amy J. is dead wrong when she says that mental illness can not be cured by diet. To preface, I am NOT speaking of ALL cases . . . However, I have personally seen an almost 180 degree change in behavior and mood in some children taken off of ALL artificial sweetners, colouring agents, excitotoxins (not easy since processed foods are loaded with them under misleading terms one would never associate with excitotoxins. Some vaccines also contain the most well known excitotoxin, MSG in additon to the usual neurotoxins aluminum/thimerosal ) SEE; 'EXCITOTOXINS: THE TASTE THAT KILL' by R. Blaylock MD Neurosurgeon. Also, many people are unaware that food allergies can have wide gamut reactions including those that can significantly affect mood. There is a short documentary on how changing the lunch menu at Appleton Highschool (can't recall the state) resulted in very dramatic changes in 'problem' children. In addition to a whole food diet - with heavy emphasis on raw fruits snd vegetables - the diet was very high in EFAs -essential fatty acids. Children should also be properly tested for heavy metals. A few years back there was an article in the paper (different one) entitled TURNING LEAD INTO GOLD about twin toddlers who were totally out of control, destructive and frighteningly violent. After being put on Ritalin and other drugs to no avail, the parents by chance had the children tested for heavy metals (hair analysed). It turns out these poor boys were toxic for LEAD. An MD then put them through a chelation protocol and the end result was two happy healthy boys no longer at war with themselves and the world. Instead of researching what this doctor had done, the local hospital penalized and threatened the doctor who broke ranks by not prescribing 'monopoly medicine'. One can only wonder how many other children out there are also undetected victims of heavy metal toxicity. Lastly, back to nutrition . . . next submission.
  49. Rukshana Engineer from Canada writes: Also, re. nutrition, it is a terrible shame that so few Canadians
    are aware of the pioneering work of DR. ABRAM HOFFER - a true
    Canadian hero. This man whose research and work helping those with mental disorders esp. schizophrenia are astounding. Dr. Hoffer
    developed nutritional protocols that helped turn the lives of many
    around - a night and day difference. I once heard an interviewer
    introduce Dr. Hoffer as the man who emptied many mental hospital
    wards. Today at 90, he is sharper than most people half his
    age. However, Dr. Hoffers protocols offered no profitable patents,
    so it's no wonder so few have heard of this maverick's remarkable
    contribution over many decades to mental health. Lastly, some
    may want to look into WWW. TRUEHOPE.COM as it has also been
    of significant benefit to many suffering from mental illness.
  50. Rukshana Engineer from Canada writes: I disagree with an earlier comment implying that 'biopolar' is not a relatively new problem but that like autism etc. there is better diagnosis today. Having observed children for 25 years, it's clear that that there has been a sharp increases in learning, behavioral and mood disorders. If we were simply better diagnosing autism etc. then we should see the same staggering rates of autism etc. in the in adults in their 40s etc. as we see now in children. . . What has also increased massively over the last several decades are the amounts of excitotoxins in foods: and the # and pace at which vaccines are administerd. Dr. Harris Coulter spent decades correlating the rise of the latter with mood, learning and behavioral disorders. He wrote a powerful book on the issue (can't recall the exact title off the top of my head) but I think there is info on this book at www.vran.org . . .and yes, there are also other contaminants - too many to mention. Suffice it to say, that if research has found up to 287 contaminants in the blood from the umbilical cords of MERE babes, (many of these carcinogens and neurotoxins) it's no wonder that so many children not to mention adults are sicker than ever from the toxic environment we are all swimming in. ( Research re. such from The Environmental Working Group, Washington DC July 2005)
  51. Michael Peter from Canada writes: It is easy to be judgmental. Until you walk in my shoes, you cannot understand childhood bipolar disease.

    I have 2 children with it. The oldest is 22 and on lithium. On lithium he has gotten his post graduate degree and has his first job. He is living independently. He had bipolar disease onset in childhood. My second child is 20 and is on anticonvulsants. He is in College. He is functioning. He had onset in childhood as well.

    Both children are gifted and quite capable of functioning in society.

    I have been criticized for medicating my children. Instead I view it that I have saved their lives. Without medication, they would have died.

    Childhood bipolar disease is much more lethal than pediatric leukemia.It is time that it receives the attention and treatment that it deserves.

    It may be overdiagnosed. It may be environmentally related.
    I do however know that failure to treat it appropriately will result in death or at the very least a lifetime of disability.
  52. Rukshana Engineer from Canada writes: Speaking for myself, I am not judgemental of Michael's decision re. his children. No two case are alike and each parent must fully weigh his or her options in deciding what is necessary for their child. This is especially urgent if the child shows self destructive tendencies and needs immediate intervention. If medication at that moment in time means the difference between life and death for that child, who has the right to stand in judgement of a parent trying to save their child's life? However, I would like to think that everyone who has faced this kind of situation or is simply concerned about the plight of a growing # of children, is at least open to questioning WHY there are so many biopolar children today. Surely, if we do not investigate the root causes of this tragedy that is affecting the lives of so many children, we do them a disservice. Again, consider the example of the twin boys who were so destructive etc. who in THEIR case turned out to be heavy metal toxic. (They are hardly alone)Surely parents are entitled to know that this could be a significant contributing factor and if so, be given options to deal with such at the root. In the meantime, I think we need to broaden treatment options for the benefit of all. . . . And Michael, continued best wishes to your sons.
  53. jennifer salter from Canada writes: There are other options to treat psychiatric and developmental problems in children, namely dietary intervention, the use of nutritional supplements, and ruling out possibilities such as chronic strep infection (PANDAS). There is no doubt that some children will benefit from the use of pharmaceutical agents, however the possibility of dangerous side effects should make them an absolute last resort. Many peditricians and psychiatrists cite a lack of conclusive evidence as the reason they do not recommend dietary intervention or nutritional supplementation. However, dietary changes are very difficult to study in a controlled, double-blind manner. The best solution is to try out these (conpletely safe) interventions, keep a careful diary of your child's behavior, and observe any changes. My son was dx'ed with mild to moderate autism at the age of three, independently by two different doctors in two different countries. We immediately implemented the Gluten- Casein-Free Diet and were rigourous about it. We then started working with a biomedical doctor in the US (a DAN! - Defeat Autism Now - doctor) and began other interventions. At my son's forth birthday, his autism diagnosis was removed after an extensive psychological assessment. He is in a regular JK class with no extra supports, is indistinguishable from his peers, and recently scored at least one year above age level on a comprehensive speech and language evalution. He is loving, affectionate and has good friends at his school.
  54. Deb LOngawa from ottawa, Canada writes: Having a family of individuals presenting with mood disorders and other issues, I would agree that first and foremost. bipolar is a biochemical disorder. It is not a 'new' disorder. It has always existed. Lifestyles, food choices; the environment has changed. We are simply 'too busy' as a society. We simply have no time to spend with family whether it is with our children; loved ones; or significant other. There are additives in the food we eat and many of us resort to fast foods when in a hurry. The children of today watch a lot of television and, like all of us, spend too much time on the computer. We aren't 'connected' with other people as our grandparents and great- parents were. Most of us don't want children; because having them means you have to give another individual your time; and if your one of those unlucky individuals to have a child with special needs, there is no real support mechanism out there for you as no one wants to listen to a person/individuals with problems. If you are lucky enough to have a large enough family to lend support and spend time with you and your children, then you are truly blessed- and chances are , your problems are not all that bad. There is no point in finding fault with any one individual- rather than I suggest we look at ourselves as a generation and try to work more collaboratively- in all areas- including research on: food additives; the environment; social behaviour; and effects of pharmaceuticals. There is real work for everyone to do.
  55. Kurtis Smith from Canada writes: talking about suicide is a cry for help. They don't really want to kill themselves, they want somebody to help them. When people really want to kill themselves they just do it. Those people have warning signs; isolating themselves, giving away belongings.... Those acts are not a cry for help but instead preparation. Those are the ones we need to watch because when they attempt they will succeed. The others will almost always injure themselves in such a way that they can be found and helped.

  56. Mike Quinlan from Gatineau QC, Canada writes: 'I have been criticized for medicating my children. Instead I view it that I have saved their lives. Without medication, they would have died.' 'I really think that the treatment of mental illness should be like any other illness... As with diabetes, various mental illnesses have no 'cure,' '. The two quotes from comments above are illustrative of the wrong headed thinking about mental illness. The first quote implies that there is a direct link between death and failure to take these medications. Which is false and in some cases quite the reverse as some of these meds have the documented side-effect of prompting suicidal tendencies. An indirect link can be made in certain cases, but keep in mind that medical science is still not advanced enough to really explain how or why these meds are working or not working. There is precious little theory that provides explanation as to why the same treatment protocol can have such wide ranging different effects and levels of efficacy amongst different patients suffering supposidely from the exact same illness. Which brings me to quote two which uses an analogy that seems plausible but is actually error inducing. Diabetes is a chronic condition that I would argue we know more about and understand better than most mental illness. We know the end result of it is death, and the medication that can stave it off and help manage the condition is insulin. Depriving a diabetic of insulin will kill him or her. The same is not true of psychotropic medications. Such medications you can usually overdose with and die, but if you are manic depressive you are not going lapse into a coma by not taking lithium. Now there may be no cure for diabetics which makes it a life long condition, but you cannot make that same statement regarding mental illness. Some unfortunate people have very complex cases and there can be real periods of crisis, but just like broken bones have the capacity to heal so does the brain. Most people get better.
  57. Cathy M from Canada writes: Kurtis Smith from Canada writes: talking about suicide is a cry for help. They don't really want to kill themselves, they want somebody to help them. When people really want to kill themselves they just do it. Those people have warning signs; isolating themselves, giving away belongings.... Those acts are not a cry for help but instead preparation. Those are the ones we need to watch because when they attempt they will succeed. The others will almost always injure themselves in such a way that they can be found and helped.

    I think that is a dangerous statement to make. Perhaps deep down some of those people don't really want to kill themselves, but that doesn't mean that they aren't going to attempt suicide and won't succeed. Certainly talk of suicide should be taken seriously. I don't have statistics but I can think of at least two circumstances where someone has either succeeded in committing suicide and had warned someone of it previously or someone had been saved from an attempt at suicide that would have been successful if not for someone they had warned taking their threat seriously. What I'm trying to say is that in my opinion just because someone talks about it beforehand does not indicate that they are just crying out for help and won't actually try to kill themselves, and potentially succeed.
  58. Kurtis Smith from Canada writes: I suffered a Severe TBI in a workplace accident. My cognitive functions mostly have returned but I still suffer from paranoia, depression, mood swings and irritability, yeah suicidal tendencies.
    everyday I fight a war ... a war within my mind ... a war unheard and unseen by others ... but it is a war for survival as surely as any a soldier fights.
    This war is now my burden and I will carry it. I use what weapons I have; specialized breathing, calming music, situation avoidance, and mind blanking.

    Young children don't have the ability to use those tools. To survive until adulthood they will need help....perhaps drugs, perhaps constant help from a parent.

    Jennifer Salter, I congratulate you, you have enabled your son to carry his burden. You are the definition of a good parent.
    Cathy M, perhaps I am wrong. :)
  59. Message from Mental Health Professional from Toronto, Canada writes:
    Part III - irresistible comments inserted within [.... ] (because TOO many ABUSERS of their OWN fragile/vulnerable XY male sons/boys here):
    ...
    This category of people may feel they can’t afford to miss work because of getting calls from the school that their little child doesn’t like sitting still for extended periods of time or that he/she has had a temper tantrum.

    It is easier to drug the poor child and say that it’s for his best interests.

    If we say that he has a really terrible condition - much worse than the constructed disorder of ADHD — bipolar disorder — and we are told that this is a deadly constructed disorder, the degree of guilt assuagement one can experience is even more satisfying.
    [How many have you already recoginized like this in this ARTICLE and this thread?]

    After all, the child must be suffering from a horrible disease; look at the risky drugs we have to give him to save him from this disorder.

    Psychiatry is fond of circular logic,

    and currently an alarmingly [ALARMINGLY!] large sector of the public appears to become giddy [Once again: GIDDY] from it too.

    ---- End of Message 1. -------------
  60. 2nd Message from Mental Health Professional from Toronto, Canada writes:
    message 2, Part II:

    ... see 17/02/08 at 1:37 PM

    Is there anything wrong with this picture? Is there anything wrong with this picture?

    If a child is medicated because he is experiencing parental neglect or emotional, physical or sexual abuse, the child is not going to get better because the abusive situation is not being addressed, and thus the condition will worsen and medication will likely be increased.

    The cycle of abuse then is clearly aided and abetted by psychiatry.

    The silencing of abused children is going on every day in this Province.

    Psychiatry and psychiatric diagnosis are the means by which this massive silencing of abused and neglected children takes place.

    Instead of recognizing their pain and anger as legitimate and validating their feelings, they are drugged into silence.

    Sometimes, in fact, an abusive parent, will purposely go to a paediatrician or child psychiatrist because the parent is afraid of the child telling about the abuse.

    This is a pre-emptive action to protect the parent her/himself and discredit the child.

    J, from Finding Normal, reported that this is what happened in his case, and he is not alone.

    Even more unconscionable are the manipulation of medication and provocation of abused and neglected children in foster care settings
    around court times
    and
    during psychological evaluations to get them into emotionally dysregulated states
    to “prove” that
    the child needs to remain in foster care and could not be allowed to go back into his home or community.

    The abuse and silencing of children is occurring in Ontario and not just in isolated situations.
    Psychiatric diagnoses are an integral part of this silencing and diversion of attention away from the legitimate grievances of children.
  61. Kurtis Smith from Canada writes:
    Message from Mental Health Professional....with no credentials

    blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah HOAX!

    blah blah blah blah blah SCIENTOLOGY blah blah blah blah blah.

    RON L HUBBARD blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah

    blah blah blah blah blah ALIENS WILL SAVE blah blah blah blah blah

    blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah I HAVE AN AGENDA THAT I WANT PEOPLE TO SEE UNFORTUNATELY NOBODY BUT IDIOTS COME TO MY WEBSITE. blah blah blah blah blah
  62. Maya L. from Toronto, Canada writes:
    best posts:
    Message from Mental Health Professional, from Toronto wrote:
    Part I - irresistible comments inserted within [.... ] (because TOO many ABUSERS of their OWN fragile/vulnerable XY male sons/boys here):
    ...
    One of the significant problems in the so-called mental health field is the usurpation of language from real medicine.

    Psychiatry has always been the ugly step-child of medicine, desperately wanting acceptance as an important field of endeavour, not taken seriously by real physicians who practice on real bodies with real diseases.

    One of the tactics that psychiatry has used is the misappropriation of the words disease and disorder.

    Diabetes is a demonstrable disorder of a real human organ, and lack of treatment can, in fact, be fatal.

    Bipolar disorder is a hypothetical construct devised by a show of hands at a DSM conclave.

    There is no such thing as mental disease.

    THE MIND IS NOT AN ORGAN, and the behaviours that fall outside the NORM are more often defined by third parties as disorders or diseases than they are by the person who is so labelled.

    The labelled person frequently does not believe that he/she has any such malady.

    Psychiatrists use this “lack of insight” to declare people incompetent and to subject people to involuntary treatment.

    People [the third party] do NOT typically say to a diabetic that his/her disorder really bothers them (the third party) so the diabetic should get treatment.

    However, with “mental disorders” it is typically other people who decide that a person’s behaviour bothers them so that the designated person should get treatment.

    ... tbc

  63. 2nd Message from Mental Health Professional from Toronto, Canada writes:
    Part I - irresistible comments inserted within [.... ] (you know why, you are quick learners):

    ...
    The psychiatric diagnosis of children poses multiple and serious risks.

    There is the obvious risk of the medications themselves which have been associated with fatal consequences, such as malignant neuroleptic syndrome and acute pancreatitis.

    There have been deaths of children and youth from these conditions in Ontario.

    Another, particularly loathsome outcome is that the labelling of children with psychiatric diagnoses is a way of shielding abusers from their actions.
    [Exactly as many in this Article and THIS THREAD!]

    When children who have temper tantrums are labelled as being bipolar and medicated, the focus of the problem shifts away from a possibly abusive parent (the temper tantrums being a normal reaction to mistreatment) to the child as a sick and disordered being.

    Two evils are committed:

    1) blaming a child for having appropriate emotions to mistreatment [ONCE AGAIN: APPROPRIATE EMOTIONS TO MISTREATMENT]
    and 2) absolving the abuser — sometimes even ennobling the abusive parent because she/he has to deal with a “mentally ill” child

    Dr. Susan Bradley, of the Hospital for Sick Children, admitted, when questioned during a conference at Kinark, that

    psychiatric drugs are sometimes administered to children in a “preventive” way because the parents are deemed to be deficient and might abuse the child unless the child is made more compliant.

    The medication is given to make the child impaired in his emotional functioning in order to reduce the chances of an abusive parent acting out on the child.

    [Are you vomiting yet?]

    Is there anything wrong with this picture?
    ... tbc
    • Posted 17/02/08 at 1:37 PM EST |