MEDICATING OUR CHILDREN

April 2000
		Are we overmedicating our children? When should doctors prescribe psychiatric drugs for kids? Should there be restrictions imposed for younger children? Experts answer your questions.

Forum introduction Ritalin for children under 5. Diagnosing ADHD Diet and ADHD Is our definition of 'normal' accurate? Adults and medication Additional Comments     Health Spotlight: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder March 24, 2000: Treating ADHD The NewsHour's Health Spotlight. More NewsHour health coverage.	Recent medical reports show drastic increases in the number of children taking stimulants, antidepressants and other psychiatric drugs. These increases include children ages 2 to 4 who are taking the stimulant methylphenidate, the generic form of Ritalin, for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder at two to three times the former rate in two state Medicaid programs in the Northwest. Children with ADHD are often disruptive in school, have trouble sitting still and act impulsively. A recent study showed a marked improvement in children who were taking medication on top of therapy, in contrast to the children who had only one or neither of those approaches. Is medication a good idea if it seems to improve a child's self-esteem and academic performance? How can parents or teachers recognize when a child should be taking medication? Are there negative consequences to giving our children prescription drugs? Are the rules different for children under six? Dr. Peter Jensen, a leading child psychiatrist at Columbia University, and Dr. Lawrence Diller, who practices behavioral pediatrics in California, answer your questions about medicating children.