And what about our children?

I read this article on how the use anti-psychotics used to treat Alzheimers Patients have long term affects, including an increase in the risk of dying.  The article published by The New York Times, January 8 2009, indicated that Risperdal was one of the drugs used to treat the elderly afflicted with Alzheimers, also included were Thorazine and Stelazine.  

Simon Lovestone of the Institute of Psychiatry at King’s College in London said psychiatrists should try environmental or behavioral therapies instead of anti-psychotics.

Experts aren’t sure how the anti-psychotics increase patients’ risk of dying. But they think the drugs could be damaging to the brain and their sedative effects make patients less able to exercise and more susceptible to deadly infections.   THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Published: January 8, 2009

At one point the article mentions the need to use environmental and /or behavioral therapies instead of the antipsychotics.  And why, I wonder do we have to “sell” the idea of behavioral and environmental therapies – these should be the gold standard as far as I am concerned.  It is, of course, harder for the doctors/therapists to qualify this approach in the goals for their patients’ Treatment Plans.

Look at it another way, my owners struggled with the fact that I need to be on Phenobarbitol for my Canine Epilepsy because it might negatively affect my liver, and could eventually result in death!  My Mom and Dad weren’t sure if it was worth it to put me on the Barbs, but they had to to protect our whole family and me, since my seizures were so violent.  And the seizure activity needed to be under control.  It is sad.  And people struggle with medications and the concerns around taking medications daily.  

I am concerned about the elderly and their advocacy, and I really worry about the children now, and their trusting guardians.   There is a connection here between this study and our children, and that is why I ask the question, what about our children? Are you aware of how many children are taking (or were, at one point) taking medications that are off-label (NOT approved by the FDA)?  Yes, RISPERDAL was ONE OF THEM (read about how it was FDA approved, and how it was used and is without the approval)!!!  Thorazine is still used.  Used as an anti-pychotic for children with behavioral problems (aggression) – to control severe aggression … google it, or volunteer at a psychiatric hospital to learn more.  When you are well informed of the risks and benefits, it is one thing, but to be unaware is another.  When the risks outweigh the benefits, it is truly a struggle, know the facts, know the side effects, and questions the studies.

Many children with aggression and behavioral problems have an environmental influence.  Environmental therapy should a primary treatment for children as well, treat the whole person, including environmental, a systems approach.  I hope the Office of Mental Health is using this study to further their research to improve the quality of care for mental health too.  Prevent the risks and take a more systems, whole approach to treamtent.

Chewing on some of those heater vents...

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