Dr. Dan L. Edmunds, Ed.D,B.C.S.A.,DAPA.

Dr. Dan L. Edmunds, Ed.D,B.C.S.A.,DAPA.
e-mail: batushkad@yahoo.com

Monday, July 31, 2006

TY PENNINGTON PAID TO PROMOTE THE FRAUD

I came across an advertisement today for Adderall XR that featured Ty Pennington. He describes his difficulties as a child behaviorally and how that he now takes Adderall XR and it has worked wonders for him and that when he takes it he does not feel 'sped up'. Well, Ty, sorry to say, you are taking speed. Adderall is a combo of amphetamine salts. Now, go to the bottom of the ad and you will find warnings about increase of vocal tics and Tourettes, the possibility of the development of aggression and mania, and the potential for suicidal thought. So- is it worth the risk to treat a disorder for which there exists no actual test and which was merely voted into existence by a show of hands at a APA committee. The drug companies must really enjoy having a noted person such as Pennington, but parents need to read beyond Pennington's brief statements (for which he is being paid a pretty penny.)
It is not to say that children cannot have challenging behaviors, but this does not imply that this is a disease, there is no evidence of such. There are certainly more healthful solutions towards addressing children's behavioral challenges than drugging them into compliance. It just happens to take a lot of effort, but where do people want to put forth effort in today's society?

Sunday, July 16, 2006

PSYCH DRUGS AT CAMP

I read today an article discussing that up to a quarter of children attending summer camps are tkaing various psychiatric drugs, and that now they line up in the morning where nurses or others dispense these drugs.
One psychiatrist states: "There is no doubt that kids are more medicated than they used to be,"
said Dr. Edward Walton, an assistant professor of pediatrics at the
University of Michigan and an expert on camp medicine for the American
Academy of Pediatrics. "And we know that the people prescribing these
drugs are not that precise about diagnosis. So the percentage
Another psychiatrist argued that these drugs help these kids be able to attend camp where they might not be able to function as well.
These camps have existed for many years and there was never such a precedent. The drugs being used such as Risperdal are not even indicated for or tested on children. They carry serious warnings about tardive dyskinesia. Are camp staff really trained and able to recognize adverse events that may occur to children on these drugs?
25% of kids in these camps need a drug? For a subjective disorder? When will it end? It is indeed possible the with the current trend and the public's enchantment with the fraud of bio-psychiatry, that we may very well may end up with the majority of children taking some sort of mind-altering substance. And how does this fair with our supposed War on Drugs? Legal drugs are considered acceptable whereas ilicit ones are not even though the characteristics and profiles of some all of these drugs are often similar? Bio-psychiatrists appear to be nothing more than legalized drug dealers. Their ethics are on the same level as the drug pusher on the street. The illicit drug dealer is out for themselves but also on some level probably feel they are giving a desired product to help people 'escape' from troubles. The psychiatrist promotes drugs under the guise of help as well. The difference is that the psychiatirst is sanctioned by the government. It is about social control. The illicit drug dealer though is not sanctioned and will end up in jail. You can take an amphetamine that is prescribed by a psychiatrist and there will be no consequences to you. Have an amphetamine that is not prescribed in your possession and you will be carted off to prison.
What is going on with a society where our children line up for drugs as they would their orange juice or breakfast in the morning?

-Dr. Dan L. Edmunds, Ed.D.

Monday, July 10, 2006

IS THERE AN ALTERNATIVE?

Today I happened to share with some colleagues information about adverse events of psychotropic drugs as well as information on black box warnings. I shared the greater need for informed consent. The question posed to me was, "is there an alternative?" When I answered "yes', this was followed by, "well, we need training in this alternative." Therefore, this is where the problem lies- the level of training and how mental health professionals are indoctrinated. Only 2% of medical schools train in counseling, thus psychiatrists are solely taught to prescribe, not to counsel. The alternative lies in relationship based approaches and such programs as the Caregiver's Skills Program for children who have been considered to have disruptive behaviors. The alternative lies in educating and training parents to become more involved with their children. In addition, it requires us to take an active stand for social justice and improvements in education where the root of many children's challenges lie. It requires us to not look upon children as 'diseased', this is a fraud, but more than capable with the correct mentoring, guidance, and affection to develop into stable human beings capable of self-control. Therefore, in addition to educating on the dangers of psychiatric drugs, it is necessary for us to be actively involved in showing that indeed there is a more healthful way to meeting our children's needs.

-Dan L. Edmunds, Ed.D.