PROZAC!!! - ADD / ADHD Message Board

chitrick · 01-04-2003, 02:05 PM

I may repeat this message on a couple of different relevant boards. The recent decision by the FDA, to allow kids as young as 8 yrs old to be given the anti-depressant drug PROZAC, has me wondering what has happened to our common sense! We will now be seeing pediatricians prescribing the drug for kids, just because the parents ask, and without any psychiatric evaluation or diagnosis. What the heck is happening to us? Why is it so difficult for we as parents or the medical profession to see and understand that 90% of depressed (as well as a.d.d.) patients would be helped tremendously, if they'd just begin eating better, pursue more productive daily activities and create healthier environment/surroundings?
I have a 5 year old nephew who is a holy terror. His parents allow him to eat anything he wants. Over 50% of his daily intake is either candy, popcycles, cookies, chips and icecream bars. Another 30% is apples and oranges (which makes his parents think he's eating so well). The remaining 20% is chicken nuggets and french fries (also thought to be healthy choices by his misinformed parents). The kid is happy one minute and throwing a tantrum the next. They never get him to sleep before midnight. And I am sure that in another 3 years, he will be on PROZAC or some similar drug.

I have two nieces (from a different family member), who also have no dietary structure at all. They are both young teens; and have both recently been prescribed PROZAC, because "they are always so moody". Their free time is spent fighting over whose turn it is to play around in the internet chat rooms.
There are three grown adults in their little 3-bedroom house, who are all 3-pack a day cigarette smokers. Wake up people!! Put these kids on a proper diet; get the smoke out of the house; and give them something constructive to do...and you won't need the damn PROZAC!!!

Sorry...but I just had to vent. Curious as to other's opinions on the subject.

help · 01-04-2003, 05:41 PM

It has been known for a while now, that simple carbohydrates dramatically exacerbate AD/HD symptoms. Although, that will 'rarely' be an only/adequate treatment for an individual. That is unless the person has a very mild case of the disorder. Treating AD/HD correctly is 'multi-sided'. It all ranges from first, the correct evaluation/diagnosis, to diet, the correct medication for ones' biochemistry, biofeedback, and exercise.

Jennita · 01-05-2003, 02:52 PM

It is amazing that the same doctors or parents wouldn't dream of giving a child coffee because of the over-stimulating effects on the brain and heart, health wise, yet a pure amphetamine like Adderall, or something as over-stimulating as prozac gets the thumbs up! And amphetamines are illegal, but Adderall isn't.

"I'm not crazy because I take the right pill everyday"- JimmyEatWorld

help · 01-06-2003, 07:41 PM

The reason for a constant 'thumbs up' is obviously economics, but then again it doesn't mean that the scientists aren't 'just in it for the money'. In fact, most are there to help and are driven probably due to personal reasons and/or scientific recognition.

Meth amphetamines are illegal on the sense that it's not scientifically or purely manufactored, and they aren't manufactored in sterile and controlled environments. They also are synthesized with the main goal of 'getting high' and not for a correct homeostatsis of stimulation.

Jennita · 01-10-2003, 11:22 AM

Money and scientific recognition is still not jusfication. But hey, at least the children are getting the purest from their doctor. Nothing like pure speed, right?

Getting high or not, the mental/physical health of children will be compromised sooner or later. There is also the threat of abuse...CNN had a special and they talked to high school kids that said everyone they knew who had Ritalin presciptions were snorting it and some kids were selling some to others. Snorting it gives the high. So, this is going to become a growing problem with the legal availability of amphetamines. So maybe little Johnny isn't abusing yet, but......

Thanks alot, corporate america and the FDA. Now I have to worry about me and my family out for a drive wondering if the teens on the road have had their daily Ritalin snort. Maybe they'll start snorting Prozac too. Easy to get. It's all good.

[This message has been edited by Jennita (edited 01-10-2003).]