As a adult psychiatrist I have prescribed atypiclas for insomnia that was caused by severe PTSD. Is it possible the children who were prescribed atypicals for insomnia may be severely traumatized? I have a hard time believeing it is used as a sleep agent for a kid who has a little trouble sleeping. However, if it is, it shouldn't be.
Let's also consider that the drugs being called antipsychotics are mislabled. It is a dopamine antagonist. Post surgical patients are given dopamine antagonists (compazine) for nausea all the time, however, no one raises an eybrow to that!
Problem is the atypicals are not approved for kids at all. One child has already died. And this whole bi-polar illness in young children is fast becoming the fad that ADHD was only with much more serious consequences. Check out CP&P to see more about why this trend is disturbing.
I was given seroquel for exactly the reason stated by MG above...insomnia caused by severe PTSD. However, the dose was EXTREMELY low (25 mgs and never increased), and it was for a relatively short time (less than 6 months). I know someone who takes it for schizo-affective disorder and her dose is 600 mgs, twice a day. So 25 mgs is really low.
For children though...I have to question how a child (or young teen) can even be diagnosed with something like bipolar disorder in the first place! A teenager exibiting risky behavior is probably not manic...he/she is being a teenager! Mood swings, reading expressions and situations incorrectly...it's because they are teens (or children). The brain isn't mature yet, so expecting them to behave like miniature adults is wrong. Strongly medicating a still developing brain is wrong. How can anyone know what effect this will have later in life?
Commenting by HaloScan
