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Tuesday, November, 24, 2009
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Antipsychotics in Kids: The New York Times Gets it Completely Wrong

John McManamy
John McManamy
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John McManamy is an award-winning mental health journalist and...

John McManamy

Monday, May 14, 2007
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The impression is that, like anorexia, an antipsychotic is over-kill for these kids.

 

Knowing that the Times reporting was misleading and bordering on deceit with regard to early-onset bipolar, I should have had my critical radar up concerning anorexia. Clearly, in their eagerness to report on drug companies behaving badly and doctors who should know better, the Times did not allow clinical reality to get in the way.

 

Based on the facts that the Times has chosen to reveal, we will never know whether Anya’s psychiatrist made a proper call or not. But imagine a situation where your teenage daughter is refusing to eat. Her weight had dropped precipitously, and she hasn’t responded to therapy or various medications. Her doctor is telling you there is imminent danger of permanent organ damage, including the heart. The emergency room may be good for a quick fix, but your insurance won’t cover a two-month hospital stay. You’ve pretty much exhausted your options – all but one.

 

What would you do?

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