Look at this new bullshit disorder I just heard of, Oppositional Defiant Disorder. Something new to give kids medication for. I’m really concerned about the amount of medicating that goes on with kids. You take kids who may indeed have real reasons why they’re acting out and you dope them up and flatten their emotions. Symptoms your child may have Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD):
1. Often loses temper
2. often argues with adults
3. often actively defies or refuses to comply with adults’ requests or rules
4. often deliberately annoys people
5. often blames others for his or her mistakes or misbehavior
6. is often touchy or easily annoyed by others
7. is often angry and resentful
8. is often spiteful and vindictive
That sounds like about 3 out of 4 kids I know. Quit putting money in the hands of drug companies and psychiatrists. Stop doping your kids. One thing you have to remember, doctors don’t know everything. It’s just their job to look like they do.
That’s not a new disorder. That one’s been around for a long ass time. It’s actually considered to be a co-diagnosis with ADD and ADHD. How do I know? Um…..my daughter. Freakin’ counselors throwing that shit at me. But, I researched it and it’s been around for a good while now. One more thing to say, “Hey, I’m fucked up and this is why!”
It’s new to me!
Right on, Chris. The kids ARE alright.
I’m a therapist, and I’m not big on diagnosis. ODD has been around at least since the DSM-IV revision. The DSM can be helpful in clarifying behavioral problems. But it’s two drawbacks (among many) are: 1) it pathologizes human problems (adding stigma) and 2) the label can be limiting. And I agree that too many kids are medicated. When I did my internship at Charter, I was astounded at the amount of psychotropic medications given to kids as young as 5. Medication can help, but as a last resort. Children are still growing and changing rapidly; no one knows the long-term impact of the meds on them. And with kids, environment and relationship quality make the biggest difference.
I think you make some great points especially in terms of the stigma attached to children who have been ‘diagnosed’. I’m also concerned with the power relationships involved in child psychiatry. Also, I’d like to point out the unhealthy relationship between drug companies and doctors. I guess what it comes down to is ensuring that all parties have the best interests of the child in mind.