Overmedicated Children in Society Today

My pet peeve of the day, the week and so far, the year is the way society tries to "fix" things with "letter diagnosis"...and "meds". And this isn't just happening to one child. It is happening to many more children than many even realize. In fact, some authorities estimate that in the next 10 years almost half of our children will be medicated for one "problem or another". And what is the reasoning for all this medication? "Case studies" in the school systems have been the source of many a concerned parent, resulting in medication for these children.

For example, in a school I regularly teach at, .there is a little girl I know in 1st grade...the sweetest, most gentle child I have ever met. She is soft spoken, well behaved and performs well in school.....you may ask..."what's the problem?!?" Bear with me here and read on about three entirely different children found in one school with little trouble. These kids are but a sampling of the case studies done in a regular school system but will in fact, give the reader an idea of the case studies used and presented to parents everyday.

Case study #1: This child...let's call her ANNE, is a quiet, polite child. She enjoys solitary pursuits and because she prefers to sit quietly and read a book or draw instead of engaging in horseplay, has been diagnosed as "clinically depressed".....medication has been suggested to "bring her out of her slump and happy her up"!

Case Study #2:..This boy ...let's call him JACK, is a 3rd grade boy, full of energy, life and questions. He does well in the classroom, participates in small groups with a minimum of discourse and enjoys being "on the go". He and his friends are often seen tearing around the playground heatedly discussing what game to play at recess time! He oftentimes likes to perch of the edge of his chair or stand up when he colors or writes or even reads a book...often all at the same time!!!.....he has been diagnosed as ADD and medication has been strongly suggested for his problem.