The Guardian reports that in the UK there are around 50,000 children taking antidepressant medication. Of these at least 3,000 are taking a drug called Efexor in spite of recommendations that it not be prescribed to individuals under 18 years.

Studies have shown that Efexor can cause children to have suicidal thoughts or to become hostile, a word which in the context of clinical trials can mean homicidal.

In the USA there are between 1.5 million and 3 million children on anitdepressants for treating ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) alone. The rapid rise in the rate of diagnosis of this disorder has prompted concerns that it is being misdiagnosed and that many children receiving the medication have unrelated problems that may have been more effectively treated with counselling/therapy.

Clearly there are some children for whom medication is effective and essential however in many cases we are treating the symptom not the problem. If we took the time to understand the child we might identify cause of the childs behaviour and be able to address it. Our rush to medicating away a problem is meaning that many children will unnecessarily experience the bulk of their childhood through a medicated haze.