I agree completely, Busywend. I watched with every emotion, sadness, anger, frustration, and glad that people are atleast discussing it.
All I kept thinking is why are they not really discribing what brings us to the point of trying these scary drugs. I don't think the lay person can really imagine the non-stop raging, violence, mood swings, bazzar elation, uncontrolable behaviors, etc. etc.
Through this website I was interviewed for parenting magazine nov. issue. I really made it clear that I can not participate if this is going to be about medication bashing rather than bringing light to the fact we, parents, get to a point of hopelessness, anger, fear, desperation and so on. When we reach that point there is a lot of judgement but not much help out there. Choices are limited.
The editor asked me what would I say to the comment, "Some might say that medications are a quick fix or a way to drug them."
I will spare you my LONG response but the jist was:
"QUICK FIX????!!!! Let me tell you about my quick fix."
At that point I went on a 20 minute calm monologue about the amount of therapists, doctors, schools, drugs, and so on that we have tried. That each "quick fix" medication required hours of reading, watching my son with a microscope for side effects, ridiculous amounts of money and time on the phone with insurance companies, making sure of no medication interactions when he is sick with something as simple as a cold, blood work, endless trips to the pharmacy, and let's not forget about living in isolation, how it effects the marriage/siblings and so on and so on.
The editor was so taken. She truly seemed to have no idea.
It will be interesting to read the article. It is supposed to be the Nov. issue of Parenting magazine.
What ever avenue works for YOUR child you must do. May each child have a moment of peace today.