Overdosing a 4-year-old
Generally speaking, I'm against the use of psych meds in small children. Not enough research has been done on the way such meds affect children who are still developing and learning to function. In the case of Rebecca Riley (top), her parents (middle and bottom) gave her too much--possibly on purpose.
When Riley was found dead, she had Clonadine, Depakote, Dextromethorphan, and Chlorpheniramine in her system. She'd been diagnosed with ADHD and bipolar disorder when she was 2. She had overdose symptoms for four days, and she ultimately "drowned in her own bodily fluids" while lying on a pile of clothing on the floor. She had heart and lung damage from abuse of the psych meds. Seems the parents were dosing her up with Clonadine, and then pretending they'd lost pills in order to get more, earlier.
But the situation was more tragic and complex than simple parental abuse. Rebecca's mother Carolyn apparently suffered from depression, and her husband was extremely abusive and tempermental. He allegedly sexually abused Carolyn's teenage daughter, who had to be adopted by another family after the incident. They were struggling to raise three kids on $2,100 a month, with Carolyn shouldering all of the childcare burden.
Many sad stories intersect in this one incident, but it's clear that just a few years ago, Rebecca would not have been diagnosed and prescribed such medications. Yes, mental healthcare has come a long way. But I see very little improvement in the treatment of children.
[Photo copyright Boston Herald.]
Comments
This is very sad. But have you seen the article that just came out in JAMA about CBT for children and adolescents? It says that there's growing research to show that CBT for kids works (and also has suicide preventing effects). I know you've posted before on CBT for adults...
There's a summary of it on the Cognitive Therapy Today website, or go to JAMA Feb. 7, 2007. I can't figure out how to include a link here...
Posted by: K | February 7, 2007 03:31 PM
How can a 2 year old possibly diagnosed as bipolar? I wonder what flavor of doctor did that? I just can't imagine that a psychiatrist would make that diagnosis on a 2 year old!
As far as CBT, I've had bucket loads of it through the years. I think it's a great tool for parents to help their children become rational, assertive adults.
CBT was helpful by providing more effective coping strategies when I was at the end of my rope. But, in my case psychodynamic psychotherapy has been the treatment that has been the most effective. I had (have) childhood "issues" that CBT just didn't address.
Most people do the best that they can with what they have. The deficits in this family are just overwhelming. Bless Riley's little heart.
Posted by: Karen | February 7, 2007 08:41 PM
What a tragic story. Obviously, whether negligent or intentional, these deplorable, unstable, so-called parents are to blame for the death of this innocent child. I am deeply disturbed by their reckless and reprehensible behavior. However, I am almost as equally disturbed with the psychiatrist’s astonishing diagnosis of not just one, but two serious mental disorders in reference to child of less than two and half years of age! To arrive at such a diagnosis, for such an early and crucial period of development, with very limited scientific data known, accompanied with the potential risks of extremely powerful psychotropic drugs, is simply irresponsible and dangerous. Clearly there needs to be much more oversight in the cases of these very young children because this is merely another example in what is becoming an alarming trend of younger and younger children being treated for mental disorders with these highly potent and potentially harmful drugs.
JRP
Posted by: Jose Penate | February 12, 2007 06:24 AM
Yes...antipsychotic medication has come so very far. There's even a new Ritalin that comes in DROPS, for those babies and toddlers who can't swallow pills or have teeth yet. Tell me, how does one divine that a BABY is Attention Deficit? Does it drool? Has a short attention span? These so called doctors of psychiatry are paid whores to the pharmaceutical industry. Exploiting children and babies. Not to mention, over half of all the school shootings were done by kids on antipsychotic drugs weeeeeeeeeeeee Yes, let's get even MORE kids on these wonderful drugs!!
Posted by: Blondbythelight | March 3, 2007 05:04 PM
fact: mental illnesses don't manifest themselves until a child goes through hormonal changes during puberty. This business of giving a toddler powerful brain medication before their little "wires" and neurons have started to make all their connections (which is not usually until age 7)is beyond understanding. Parents need to realize that doctors arent God, and it is OK to question them, and get a second, third, and fourth opinion. Follow your instincts. If you arent intelligent enough to exercise basic primal instincts for the well being of your own children, then you shouldnt be allowed to have them. Strong opinions, but children rely on us for their safety and are our most important priority!
Posted by: Marybeth | October 3, 2007 02:07 PM