I think at least some of this stems from the desire (which seems especially strong in the US when compared to other countries) for a "one stop" solution to any problem. After all, we've been fed the line for decades that science can and will fix everything, often with a single pill. And as medications have become more broad-spectrum (prior to things like Prozac you actually had to work through a number of anti-depressants to see which one worked better), it seems to have gotten worse. Add to that the very broad definition of things like ADHD and the like and you have a recipe for what we're seeing now. It's easier (and maybe even some how virtuous) these days to say "my child is on the spectrum" rather than looking at some basic root causes and perhaps finding a better solution.
Thank you so much for writing and speaking about this issue. For parents who have had their child harmed by medical interventions for a quick fix without looking at underlying comorbidities, the perspective you shared is appreciated. Vulnerable young adults in their 20s also need protective safeguards to perserve their natural and innate physiological and organ function.
I need every bit of this to share with my children. And their former pediatrician. And my mom friends. I hate how I do not follow my gut and ask more questions. The pediatrician did not give us enough info to give informed consent. Thank you
"Adolescents are wired to experience strong emotional signals before the regulation systems to manage them are fully online. This is development, not disease, and it should be the starting point of every clinical conversation about adolescent behavioral and emotional symptoms."
I think at least some of this stems from the desire (which seems especially strong in the US when compared to other countries) for a "one stop" solution to any problem. After all, we've been fed the line for decades that science can and will fix everything, often with a single pill. And as medications have become more broad-spectrum (prior to things like Prozac you actually had to work through a number of anti-depressants to see which one worked better), it seems to have gotten worse. Add to that the very broad definition of things like ADHD and the like and you have a recipe for what we're seeing now. It's easier (and maybe even some how virtuous) these days to say "my child is on the spectrum" rather than looking at some basic root causes and perhaps finding a better solution.
A wise man ( perhaps the wisest ever ) once said:
“There are NO solutions, only tradeoffs.”
Thank you so much for writing and speaking about this issue. For parents who have had their child harmed by medical interventions for a quick fix without looking at underlying comorbidities, the perspective you shared is appreciated. Vulnerable young adults in their 20s also need protective safeguards to perserve their natural and innate physiological and organ function.
I need every bit of this to share with my children. And their former pediatrician. And my mom friends. I hate how I do not follow my gut and ask more questions. The pediatrician did not give us enough info to give informed consent. Thank you
"Adolescents are wired to experience strong emotional signals before the regulation systems to manage them are fully online. This is development, not disease, and it should be the starting point of every clinical conversation about adolescent behavioral and emotional symptoms."
100%!