The Issues of Medicating Kids - Case Study Example

The Issues Of Medicating Kids Doctors and the pharmaceutical industry have made people believe that there are myriad pills that virtually cure all types of diseases. Statistics shows that there is a large consumption of pills per day, a trend that is worrying especially among children. Gavin, an 11-year-old fifth grade student takes an average of 17 pills on a single day and 119 tablets per week. The overwhelming question is whether it is healthy or rather advisable to consume such large quantities of pills.

The question is augmentative, and it is the objective of this paper to explore the case for and against consumption of large amounts of pills for medication purposes (Park, 2011). Rob Gorski, the father to Gavin, says he cannot do without medicating his son with pills. Clozapine, one of the pills administered to Gavin, help him reduce the hallucinations and imaginary voices he hears. Lithium, on the other hand, is useful in stabilizing Gavin’s moods. Failure to take the drugs results in sleepless nights and uncontrolled impulses.

Rob is not comfortable with the pill medication he administers to the son. In fact, he was reluctant at first and wrestled within before he started the medication. According to Rob, it is impossible for them to stay without administering the pills to the son. Rob argues that without the medication, their son’s quality of life of deteriorates. The above is an example of a genuine reason that justifies the use of pill medications because the child, Gavin, has an extreme condition (Park, 2011).

Readings reveal an increase in the use of behavioral drugs by children. Most of the children however do not suffer from extreme health conditions. Intellectual disability and related behavioral disorders are some of the reasons that necessitate their uptake of pills. The trend is worrying, and experts warn that this is dangerous because there are instances where misdiagnosis appears. Children exposed to multiple drugs are susceptible to drug abuse as well as other side effects. Pavuluri, a doctor and pediatric at the University of Illinois, cautions that drugs ought to be administered only in extreme cases where injury and hurt may result from such neglect.

However, the medication is appropriate for children who have attained five years. Pavuluri further adds that people should visit pharmaceutical after behavioral therapies are done (Park, 2011). Mental illnesses justify the use of pills for medication. Gavin, for instance, has a schizoaffective disorder. The pills help him distinguish between hallucinations and reality. Without the pills, Gavin loses all fear and can boast of flying outside the window or even rushing head-on towards vehicles. According to the father, the drugs are quite beneficial to their son’s life.

Additionally, administration of pills may be beneficial to patients contemplating committing suicide. According to Pavuluri, such situations substantiate the use of pills. She advises the doctors to use milder forms of pills for non-emergency cases (Park, 2011). Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is an emerging diagnosis among children. The diagnosis of ADHD has made many people administer drugs to their children. Experts however warn that not all ADHD cases that require medical treatment.

Parents can study skills that will enable them to enable their children overcome interruptions without necessarily having to use pills. Poor child-rearing and family issues play a central role in defining a child’s behavior pattern. Experiences like the loss of a precious one in a family and insulting relationship within a family are such examples. Therefore, it is improper to medicate pills for behavior resulting from poor parental relationship (Park, 2011). Reference Park. (2011, May).

Little people, lots of pills: Experts debate medicating kids - CNN.com.