Currently, 2,165,279 children between the ages of 0 and 17 are on antidepressants (Koplewicz). This insane number is what sparks an argument between whether children should or shouldn’t be allowed to take antidepressants. Kids who are diagnosed with depression have the same degree of needs and rights that adults do to have their mental illness taken care of. They equally deserve to live a healthier and happier life. Children should be allowed to be prescribed antidepressant medication. The opposing side states that children, anyone under the age of 18, are more likely to become addicted to and abuse prescription drugs later in their lifetimes. Although there is a chance of this caused by taking medication, there’s an equivalent chance …show more content…
This energy increase is what makes the child become more efficient in the classroom. A few of the major symptoms of depression include having a very hard time concentrating, remembering simple details, and feeling exhausted no matter how long they sleep (“Symptoms of Depression”) (SP 3a). In most cases, in order for a child to be successful in school, they need to be able to pay attention, complete tasks, and feel like they will get through that day (SP 3a). The more successful a child is in school, the more in life they feel they can accomplish, thus taking away a sense of hopelessness. Another symptom of depression, in both children and adults, is a loss in interest regarding things they previously enjoyed doing (“Symptoms of Depression”). If a child enjoyed school before they started showing signs of depression, it is extremely important to bring that child back to the familiarity of having fun doing something such as school. For many gaining this well-known enjoyment again wouldn’t be remotely possible without the use of antidepressant medication. For a depressed minor, antidepressant medication is their way of passage to get through schooling and maybe even enjoy the experience; individually, we have no right to deny that child of their education by not giving them their medication (SP
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the number of deaths by overdoes of opioid drugs (around 18,000) is over triple the amount of overdoses of cocaine (around 5,000). The article “OxyContin Is Not for Kids” states that in Vermont, children as young as the age of 11 are now able to be prescribed with opioid pain killers such as oxycontin. The article goes on to explain the possible risks that are involved with giving children this age the medication.
Human development has interesting stages due to the changes in behaviour and growth of the body. Adolescent depression is a serious development issue which faces most households, hence requires proper attention. The occurrence of adolescent depression is most common in the modern society, though the impact of the depression has not been addressed adequately and may be significant. Many behavioural problems, for example, school dropout, drug abuse, unprotected sexual activity, suicide, self- inflicted injuries are the result of depression. Regular depression screening is important in the healthcare setting since it helps the physicians treat depression and employ recovery mechanisms for the patients.
Parents, teachers and even doctors need to be better educated in knowing what to look for and how to prevent prescription drug abuse. Parents need to be taught that their medication is not safe in a medicine cabinet where kids can get a hold of it. They need to be taught safe storage and the proper way to dispose of medication especially controlled substances.7 There is an ad campaign out right now that I saw on TV today educating parents about the medications in their house and how dangerous it could be for an adolescent who is looking for meds. Doctors also need to be knowledgeable when it comes to prescribing medication.
Depression is a serious mental illness that most adolescents struggle with, through their teenage years of life. Suicides rates are increasing as the years go by, especially in teens and adolescents. There are several controversial treatments and antidepressants for depression and they seem to work with teens, but not all. Allowing a teen to have an antidepressant should not be aloud because studies have shown that most teens and adolescents does not benefit them with their brain. In today’s society, doctors give teen a antidepressants and send them on their way.
Hence, that medicating children is not the best choice there are other options like changing diets and have behavioral therapy (Sanford 1). Children should not be allowed to take prescribed medications due to how it impacts their mental state, body, and relationships with others. There is one reliable research that has been conducted to show how drugs like Ritalin affects a child in their early years (Shirley 1). With all this in mind, should the world’s children be
Someone does not have to go to therapy and face their problem. Using medication as treatment is a more independent method of treating a mental illness. Additionally, in many cases “most mental illnesses can be diagnosed and treated very effectively”(Lieberman 3). Thanks to new technology there is medication for everyone “about 1 in 5 adults has a mental illness in any given year”(Symptoms and Causes- Mental Illness). Some of these remedies included antidepressants, antipsychotics, anti-anxiety, and mood-stabilizing medication (Diagnosis and
Many children have been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), and the amount of those children being prescribed a medication for their disorder has grown largely in the last couple of years. This caused concern to arise in doctors; some of them went as far to say that most children diagnosed and treated for ADHD are really just immature and undisciplined (Koplewicz). Even if this is untrue, they say that the children would do better if treated with alternative options. Children diagnosed with ADHD are in serious distress, but not because of bad teaching or parenting. It is because their brains work differently than others, and they need to be treated properly.
Intro-hook: Imagine your loved one unexpectedly commits suicide. Your mother, your father, your sister, or your brother. A mental illness such as depression can lead to someone taking their life. The scariest part is that whole time you didn't realize they had those thoughts. But the problem is this happens every 40 seconds around the world and we don't realize it.
Throughout the article, it talks about how understanding the signs, symptoms and common risk factors of depression would be able to assist the parents to find the best care for their adolescents (Moreh and O’Lawrence, 2016). Parent should always be aware of the signs and symptoms of their adolescents. Therefore, parents should have a close relationship with their adolescents, in order to recognize the symptoms and signs. Failing to detect the symptoms and signs of your adolescent may lead them into a major
The family’s visions of a typical life for their children can come true. All parents want their children to be accepted by their peers, have friends and live “regular” lives. Inclusive settings can make this vision a reality for many children with disabilities. Children develop a positive understanding of themselves and others. When they attend classes that reflect the similarities and differences of people in the real world, they learn to appreciate diversity.
One in ten children and adolescents will experience a period of major depression (“Mental Health Myths and Facts”). Many avoid the topic of mental health like the plague. In truth, people should be able to talk about mental illness and its repercussions on society and the individual. A minority of those affected with mental illnesses get help. Therefore, it is important to discuss possible solutions to helping those who suffer get treatment.
Keep in mind that depression is a condition that can only be accurately diagnosed and treated by a health professional.” [Body 1] Depression often emerges during adolescence, through long-standing research from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare statistics show indicating signs that 1 in 5 adolescents experience depression by
If a parent has a drug addiction then the child is more likely to have a drug addiction because the parent had it while during the child’s process. Drug addiction is a compulsive drive to take drugs in defiance of them being potentially serious or having a dangerous consequence. Recent studies have shown that it is not simply a choice whether or not we become a drug addict, it also involves many genetic and environmental factors. When a woman is pregnant, a baby is growing inside of her. If the woman uses drugs while she is going through the child’s birthing process, the drugs can pass onto the child.
No matter what kind of depression you have, the pain is the same-caused by a chemical imbalance in your brain. No matter what you 're depressed about, or even if you don 't know why you 're depressed, there are some simple things you can do to reduce your pain and anxiety, and get yourself feeling better. Simple cognitive behavior techniques and exercises can lessen pain and stimulate more productive thinking. Low-key physical and mental activity can also speed recovery.
Common examples include listening to music, trying to make their own decisions, daydreaming, trying to figure out solutions, keeping up friendships, watching television and being close to people they care about. These behaviors are appropriate for adolescents who are trying to become independent, take responsibility for themselves, and draw on friends and family for support. There are as many misconceptions about teen depression as there are about teenagers in general. Yes, the teen years are tough, but most teens struggle with balancing all the filial and school responsibilities they have. They try so hard to balance them it burns them out and eventually weighs them down to procrastination, then unproductivity.