More kids on anti-psychotic drugs

American children are taking anti-psychotic drugs for autism, hyperactivity and other disorders at six times the rate of children in Britain, according to a U.K. study published in the May edition of Pediatrics.

In both countries, use has soared. In Britain, anti-psychotics were prescribed for less than four of 10,000 children in 1992; by 2005, the rate was seven per 10,000. In the U.S., the rate went from 23 per 10,000 in 1996 to nearly 45 by 2001.

Side effects including weight gain, nervous-system problems and heart trouble have been reported in children using these drugs and there’s little long-term evidence about whether they’re safe for them, the study authors said.

Typically, the drugs were prescribed for behavior and conduct disorders, such as attention deficit disorder.

6 Responses to “More kids on anti-psychotic drugs”


  1. 1 Michael Umphrey May 6th, 2008 at 10:12 am

    The medicalization of education continues apace.

    Education becomes an increasingly old-fashioned way of meeting life’s challenges.

  2. 2 BadaBing May 6th, 2008 at 4:27 pm

    Boys pay a steep price these days for being boys.

  3. 3 Rory @ parentalcation May 6th, 2008 at 8:24 pm

    It must be working, because English kids are 10 times more psychotic than American kids.

    English kids are the worse behaving, ignorant, disrespectful, brats I have ever seen in my life.

    My ex-wife is English, and even she agrees we would never ever ever let our kids be raised in England.

    I say we dope up the whole country.

  4. 4 Lori May 7th, 2008 at 11:41 am

    Your kids first, Rory!
    :-)

  5. 5 anon May 7th, 2008 at 4:11 pm

    Bada Bing said, “Boys pay a steep price these days for being boys.”

    Reminds me of a comment I heard: What is another word for a good boy? The answer is “girl.” Medication makes boys act more like girls, which is good for parents and teachers.

  1. 1 ADHD Report» Blog Archive » More kids on anti-psychotic drugs Pingback on May 6th, 2008 at 10:16 am
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