IS THERE EVER A TIME PSYCHIATRIC DRUGS ARE APPROPRIATE?

As I have reviewed in a number of articles and can be seen in the literature, stimulant medications for children have not shown improvements in academic performance or pro-social skills in the long term and there exists adverse effects. Of more serious concern is the possibility of some children developing psychosis. Anti-depressants in children have been linked with suicidal ideation in some children. Anti-psychotics can lead to tardive dyskinesia.
Therefore, it is my view that with children it is very risky and dangerous business to subject them to psychiatric drugging. In addition, children have little if no voice in the matter as to how it makes them feel or if they agree to taking these drugs. Therefore, psychiatric drugging of children needs to be curbed.
In situations where an actual physical abnormality can be demonstrated and where the person is exhibiting self-harm or harm to others, the use of a psychiatric drug could be considered but not as a long term solution. An example would be in a situation where a person has traumatic brain injury and is self-harming. With adults, they are able to be given informed consent. Therefore, an adult who chooses to use a psychiatric drug being made fully aware of possible adverse effects, this is entirely their perogative. The issue is informed consent with adults.