Children and Psychopharmacology
Antipsychotic drugs are being prescribed to children diagnosed with various psychotic disorders. Antipsychotic drugs assist people who are suffering from psychosis. According to Roni (2020), there is some growing concern from the concerned community on whether these drugs should be prescribed to young children. The prescribed drugs assist in lessening symptoms; their effectiveness is being questioned in regards to children and their age. Whereas psychotic disorders are increasing among adults, there are some conditions for which children are being put on antipsychotic medications.
One of the conditions that children are being put on antipsychotic medication is schizophrenia. According to Elton (2019), schizophrenia symptoms are minimized by antipsychotics. The FDA has approved five medications to treat schizophrenia, including risperidone, olanzapine, aripiprazole, paliperidone, and quetiapine. Another condition that children are being put on antipsychotic medication for is bipolar disorder. A recent study reveals that antipsychotic drugs speed up the resolution and mixed episodes in children who have bipolar disorder (Elton, 2019). To ensure the disorder is treated and goes to remission, the FDA has approved risperidone, olanzapine, aripiprazole, and quetiapine. Lastly, there is the autism condition facing children below the age of 10 years. The FDA has approved only risperidone and aripiprazole for the treatment of behavioral problems in children with autism disorder.
However, there are some drawbacks to antipsychotic drugs. The major concern for the treatment in children is weight gain, diabetes, heart problems, and high levels of cholesterol. A study reveals that children taking risperidone gained about eight pounds for seven weeks, while those taking olanzapine gained thirteen pounds on average (Roni, 2020). In conclusion, there are mechanisms of action and side effects of stimulant medication. The doctors have a mandate to assess children and decide whether they are worth the risk of side effects brought by antipsychotic drugs. All in all, doctors have a hard task ahead in determining whether there are other treatment options besides the antipsychotic drugs.
References
Elton, M. (2019). Antipsychotic medicines for children and teens: A review of the research for parents and caregivers.
Roni, J. (2020). Should children take antipsychotic drugs?