More Teens are Prescribed Antipsychotic Drugs for ADHD and ADD

About seven million children and teens alike have reportedly been given antipsychotic medication to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) drawing back from 2010, Fox News says.

The significant number of teens are taking the said medication -- which was meant to cure mental disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorders, as written by Scientific American -- leaving the use of these in treating ADD and ADHD questionable.

As noted by The Washigton Post, these drugs are believed to provide "fast relief" for children's behaviors. However, the use of these drugs may lead to more serious ailments and display adverse effects to young patients.

Dr. David Rubin, a general pediatrician and co-director of PolicyLab at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia tells Scientific American, "What's really concerning now is that a lot of this prescription is occurring in the face of emerging evidence that there are significant adverse effects that may be worse in youth than in adults." 

The highest rates of usage were recorded among children 13-18 years of age.

Fox News notes that according to 2010 data, more boys were getting these medications than girls. Reuters reports that 270,000 prescriptions were made for younger children during the said year, "2.14 million to older children, 2.80 million to adolescents, and 1.83 million to young adults."

Fox News says that prescribing antipsychotic drugs to those in young age groups may have high risks, especially since children are still developing both physical and mental attributes.

Dr. Chuck Williams III, Director of Post Graduate Studies in Lincoln University, noted in his interview with Fox News that during adolescence, "biological maturation is happening, important neuro-connections are being made, self-development (is happening)" and introducing these kinds of medication may significantly interrupt these processes.

"Not only can they affect mood but they can also change the physical structures of the brain, and that is not a good thing," he added.

Side effects of the antipsychotic drugs may include weight gain, high levels of cholesterol, and other effects in the nervous system. Fox News also notes that in some cases, adolescents who received such medication have "gone wild and violent", suicidal, depressed, and anxious.

Dr. Williams suggests that other than drug prescriptions, there are a variety of medical treatment options for ADD and ADHD, such as cognitive behavioral therapy technique, mindfulness, meditation, proper diet, and exercise.