Medication Myths

1. People are zombies on medication.

Taz is nothing like a zombie. He is active and engaging. He is charming and funny. He likes dancing and playing outside, worms and cars. People tend to forget that parents (except for the rarity) truly want the best for their children. Parents of special needs kids are no different. Of course we don't want our children walking around in a drugged stupor. If that happens, we will do all we can to change it. Sometimes meds have negative side effects. If that's the case, you adjust.

2. Parents are medicating their children because they don't want to deal with behavior.

First of all, I would hope a psychiatrist could see the difference between that kind of parent and a true mental illness. Granted, there are some quacks out there. But majority speaking, that's just stupid. Bipolar disorder goes beyond behavior problems. This ain't no Supernanny episode we're talking about here. Bipolar disorder is a disabling illness that a child simply can NOT control.

3. You can fix this by being better parents.

I'm only going to say this once. BAD PARENTING DOES NOT CAUSE MENTAL ILLNESS!!! Got it?

4. Parents are medicating their kids because they want to create perfect kids.

It's not about perfection. And it's not about being on the honor roll. It's not about being the best student or being able to sit still or submitting to authority or blind obedience. We want healthy kids. Not mini-robots. Healthy and functioning.

5. Parents want to medicate their kids because they don't want to take responsibility for their shortcomings.

Maybe some do. But I don't know any, and I know a lot of parents. You know, this is something I hear a lot on message boards and comments on other blogs. The general public seems to think that pharmaceutical companies are running the world. They are the puppeteers controlling the doctors and the doctors are just prescription-happy idiots. Maybe I'm naive. Or maybe I just don't have enough experience, but I have yet to talk to a doctor that gives medication out like candy. But that's what people think. I'm wondering if the general public just makes this stuff up because they are uncomfortable with the idea that children can have mental illness. Or that because they don't understand it, it must not be true. Or maybe deep down inside they are scared that if other kids can have a mental illness, their children can too. What do you think?

Any other medication myths you've heard?