By Matthew Carter, MFT

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The American Psychiatric Association defines attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as a “persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that is more frequently displayed and more severe than is typically observed in individuals at a comparable level of development” (1). ADHD is further indicated by three subtypes; predominately hyperactive-impulsive type, predominantly inattentive type, and combined type. According to the APA, ADHD primarily affects school-age children, approximately 3%-7% of all children in the U.S, (1), with approximately 30-50% retaining the disorder as adults (2). Not only are these numbers cause for concern, they are increasing: there has been a three or four-fold increase in diagnosis of ADHD since the late 1980s (3).

Undoubtedly ADHD is a serious problem, though ADHD is largely, and suspiciously, an American problem. For every two hundred and fifty U.S. children diagnosed and treated with ADHD, only one child would similarly have been diagnosed and treated in all of Germany, England, France, and Italy combined (4). In England alone, the rate of clinical diagnosis is estimated as only about 1 in 3000 children, or 0.3% (5). ADHD as a diagnosis is virtually unknown in Japan (6), and many other countries. Clearly ADHD has been woven into the cultural fabric of our nation, and our nation in particular. Or is it the other way around. In this paper I will explore how Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder relates to, and in many seemingly conspicuous ways parallels, socio-historical developments within the country that gave it birth. I will propose that U.S. cultural values and expectations not only exposed the so-called problem of ADHD, but first helped create it. I will further argue that the label ADHD is not so much a road sign to a mental disorder, but more a road sign to a social one. Lastly, I will suggest that if we are to have any hope of reversing this growing problem, we as helping professionals need to turn our attention outward, to the social matrix that sustains and reinforces it. Read the rest of this entry

A GoodTherapy.org News Summary

The prevalence of anti-depressants and other psychiatric medications has experienced a great increase recently, and many concerns are rising in response to the growing dependency on such substances. While there are some medications that have proven to be helpful in improving the quality of life for pregnant mothers and young children, some in the mental health professions remain skeptical over the ultimate utility and safety of such medicines. Adding support to this camp, a study at Georgetown University Medical Center has recently suggested that medicines indicated for mood issues, pain, and epilepsy, when administered to pregnant women or to infants and young children, may cause mental health concerns at a later age.

The study focused on animal models, specifically working with rats in a laboratory setting, but suggests that the issue is likely a prominent one for humans, as well. After administering various modern treatments for mood issues, as well as those indicated for pain and for epilepsy, researchers monitored laboratory rats, finding that those animals which had been treated with the medication were more likely to exhibit signs of mental health complications as adolescents and adults. Read the rest of this entry

© Copyright 2009 by http://www.GoodTherapy.org Therapist Allen Bureau - All Rights Reserved.

A GoodTherapy.org News Headline

The use of anti-depressant medications is steeply on the rise, with many mental health professionals concerned about the frequency with which people experiencing mental health difficulties rely entirely on pharmaceuticals to relieve symptoms. Part of this concern stems from the fact that for many clients, anti-depressants simply don’t work, a problem that a recent study conducted at Northwestern University has suggested can be explained in the preoccupation with treating symptoms of stress. The research provides evidence for clear genetic distinctions between stress and depression, noting that the latter is an entirely different phenomenon within the brain and suggesting that it should be treated differently, as a result. The study may help wean Americans and concerned clients worldwide from modern dependency on psychiatric medications.

© Copyright 2009 by http://www.GoodTherapy.org Therapist Lafayette Bureau - All Rights Reserved.

A GoodTherapy.org News Headline

The fact that general practice physicians often prescribe anti-depression medication to their clients is well known, but the extent of the prescriptions, which account for over 50% of all prescriptions nationally, is not as renowned. Neither is the fact that general practice physicians account for a considerable amount the total prescriptions of other psychotropic drugs, such as anti-psychotics, stimulants, and anti-mania medications. But the recent creation of a research report by Thompson Reuters and SAMHSA, the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, is likely to increase the notoriety of its statistics on general practice prescriptions, which highlight a departure from traditional psychiatrist roles.

© Copyright 2009 by http://www.GoodTherapy.org Therapist Colorado Springs Bureau - All Rights Reserved.

A GoodTherapy.org News Summary

Rampant on the news both specific to the mental health community and delivered to the public at large, over-prescription of psychiatric medications has been developing as a major problem for several years. With scores of reports highlighting suspicious links between high-prescribing and endorsing individuals and pharmaceutical company pay-offs, a growing mistrust of the eagerness with which some medications are prescribed is largely responsible for a surge in interest in non-invasive therapies such as psychotherapy. Over-prescription remains an issue in America and many parts of the world, however, and is especially disturbing in the case of children, who are often subjected to drugs that combat ADHD, depression, and other issues even when a clear need has not been established. In response to such activities, a conference on the psychiatric abuse of children has been organized for the venue of Syracuse, New York from the ninth to the tenth of October.

The conference will examine the ways in which children are subjected to needless drugs, and how these drugs create additional problems both during childhood and later on in life. Encouraging participants to take action against over-prescription in their own communities and professional fields, the conference is sure to inspire new ways to help families overcome uncertainty over medications when emotional and behavioral issues are present. Read the rest of this entry

© Copyright 2009 by http://www.GoodTherapy.org Therapist Atlanta Bureau - All Rights Reserved.

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Most people familiar with the substance LSD probably associate the drug with the psychedelic counter-culture of the 1960’s and 70’s, when recreational use was popular. But the drug and its maker had other hopes for LSD as well, hoping to see it prove useful medically –especially in terms of the mental health field. After several decades of reluctance to return to the scientific study of the substance, researchers in Switzerland and at the University of California have begun conducting and publishing studies on the use of LSD as an aid in feelings of anxiety among the terminally ill. As more scholars and associations turn their attention to clinical uses of the substance, the mental health field may find that this controversial drug holds potential to heal.

© Copyright 2009 by http://www.GoodTherapy.org Therapist Tampa Bureau - All Rights Reserved.

A GoodTherapy.org News Summary

Though there are certainly some children who experience developmental, learning, and social difficulties due to symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, and who can realize remarkable benefits through the use of prescription medications, it may seem that an excessively large number of youths are diagnosed with the issue and given pills. Concerns about the over-use of drugs geared towards children with symptoms of ADHD has risen in recent years as some parents and mental health professionals note the potential of therapy and other treatment types to provide a more meaningful and long-term solution for kids with difficulties focusing.

This issue has been given its own spotlight recently with the release of a report showing that abuse of prescription medications for ADHD has risen over 75% in the last eight years. The steep incline in abuse may correlate with increasing amounts of prescriptions being written for children who may not truly need the medication. Concerns about proper education about the medications and misunderstandings spread among youths as to potential benefits of taking excessive amounts of the pills are also being voiced in response to the discovery of the surge in abuse. A low number of deaths –precisely four– were connected with the abuse of such medications, but over forty percent of teens who reportedly abused the drugs exhibited moderate to severe side effects, and were prone to receiving hospitalization or visits to the emergency room. Read the rest of this entry

© Copyright 2009 by http://www.GoodTherapy.org Therapist Tucson Bureau - All Rights Reserved.

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Often, an inability to access or receive meaningful mental health services can lead those experiencing debilitating symptoms to rely on pharmaceuticals and other substances in an effort to self-medicate. Such instances carry great risks, not only for physical and mental health, but for the development of deep addictions, engendering further negative consequences. This situation has been clearly observed recently in Kashmir, where long-term violence and social disorder have led to a growing number of women developing symptoms of mental health difficulties. The creation of accessible mental health care as well as treatment for addiction and substance abuse is needed to help the region recover from its deep-rooted turmoil.

© Copyright 2009 by http://www.GoodTherapy.org Therapist Miami Bureau - All Rights Reserved.

A GoodTherapy.org News Headline

While anti-depressant medications are able to help some clients who experience intense feelings of sadness, and may also help in attaining sleep and realizing greater energy, their use has become alarmingly widespread in the west. Short-term side effects associated with such medications are fairly well known, but as a recent informational piece supplied by the Mayo Clinic to a concerned writer notes, not much is known about the potential long-term effects of such drugs. As use increases and the length of time over which anti-depressants have been taken expands, greater knowledge on the subject is bound to appear –and many mental health professionals hope the news won’t be bad.

© Copyright 2009 by http://www.GoodTherapy.org Therapist Schaumburg Bureau - All Rights Reserved.

A GoodTherapy.org News Summary

Statistics on the prevalence of mental health concerns in the modern world may seem staggering, especially with the consideration of rising reports of feelings of depression, anxiety, and other related issues. But equally if not more astounding are the rapidly rising rates of psychiatric medication prescriptions, which have spawned a multi-billion dollar industry intent on treating the full spectrum of common mental health complaints with readily available drugs. Many have cited significant negative elements of the industry, such as a tendency to market medications directly to clients, rather than to mental health care professionals. The connections between product endorsement and prescription and personal bonuses and gifts have also been called into question on several occasions. Recently, a book was published that delivers another blow to the industry. Titled The Emperor’s New Drugs, the book explores the question of whether anti-depressant medications and their next of kin are actually effective in the first place.

Though extensive clinical trials have been performed to support the positive actions of the majority of psychiatric medications, many remain skeptical as to their ability to help treat mental health concerns in a meaningful way. For some people, adjusting chemical balances may prove beneficial, but in his book, Irving Kirsch, who is a professor of psychology at the University of Hull, challenges whether imbalances can really be blamed for the manifestation of mental health issues. Citing the ability of placebos to have similar effects in many cases, Kirsch suggests that it is psychotherapy, rather than silent medication, that holds the greatest potential to heal. Read the rest of this entry

© Copyright 2009 by http://www.GoodTherapy.org Therapist Austin Bureau - All Rights Reserved.