Do you think children should be prescribed anti-psychotic meds for mood and behavior disorders?

And do you think pre-schoolers should be prescribed ritalin for ADD?

Dumbest idea ever. Just what you'd expect from the pharmaco-industrial complex. Old-fashioned frequent heavy beatings should work much better.

no

No for sure not! Our son may have ADD and thats the last thing I would want is to have his personality altered. There are other alternatives but it just means a little extra hard work on our part!
I think ADD is not understood yet , sort of like a learning style that teachers are not quite able to deal with yet beause there is not enought known about it!

absolutely NOT!!
Look at how well everyone survived before they started drugging kids for being kids!!!!

I believe that any person regardless of age deserves treatment for mental illness. Why let a little kid suffer the consequences and symptoms of an illness?

A preschooler should not be prescribed Ritalin. Ritalin and Adderall are the two drugs that affect a child the worst. They have the highest concentration of amphetamines. Give the child a chance to work out their issues first through counselling. Sticking to a structured schedule is the most important. Disciplining is fine also but don't go overboard and be abusive. As for the anti-psychotic drugs, I'd say only if it were a severe instance. Like Bipolar Disorder or Personality Disorder has been diagnosed without a doubt. Please make sure you get second and third opinions and study all possibilities before you decide to do anything. Do your research!

No!!....What ever happened to climbing trees? Playing outside....Dressing up and imagination... There are to many TV games...to many computers...Not enough good old fashion play...They wanted to put my daughter on that crap...So glad I didn't listen shes on her way to become a artist...And she's so full of life... And I just love her energy. And could not imagine a day without it :)

It depends on the Risk Benefit ratio of the drug and disease. It is a good idea to take meds if their benefits outweigh side effects.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ADHD
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_pre...

A close friend of mine's daughter has ADHD and a mood disorder too. Everyone always suspected her ADHD but her parents chose not to medicate her until middle school. It was just caution, because of Ritalin's side effects. But as soon as school became important, as well as early teens wise decision-making as opposed to her impulsiveness and thrill seeking temper, they started her on Ritalin and it did benefit her. What really benefitted her most though, was being on anti-psychotic medication, which she started at 14. She is a whole different person on them, pleasant and sensible. Everyone is amazed. It took almost tragic circumstances though for her to be properly diagnozed by a psychiatrist. The meds have serious side effects. You have to monitor liver and ovaries regularly. They also often make you gain weght. But, frankly, she was crazy before them. I would definitely recommend them for someone in her case, as long as a good psychiatrist takes time with a thorough diagnosis and then monitors the child.

no no no no no it's usually the parents or some other adult who has messed these kids up, the new recovery model may help kids with these difficult problem, they can be helped with hard work and caring as well