The problems with over diagnosis and excessive use of medication in children with “attention” problems have become so commonplace that they no longer have the capacity to shock. This is a problem in itself as these recent figures are shocking. In normal circumstances...
Recently in the media it was announced that there is now a new mental health disorder called ODD being used in the diagnosis of children. This so called disorder equates to Oppositional Defiant Disorder. The condition could be identified where a child has a repetitive...
There are interesting double standards that we apply to different fields of human endeavor. In sports the use of performance enhancing drugs is forbidden. Whilst that does not necessarily stop athletes using them at least it is not condoned. Efforts are made to try...
Last year I wrote an article about screening of four year olds for illness to see if they are “fit” to start school. The notion that children were not fit until screened to be, so turned the normal notion of healthy until there is some reason to think otherwise on its...
Last week Whitney Houston died at the relatively young age of 48. Whilst the story is yet to fully unfold, it seems that prescription medications were involved in her death. This would put her in the company of Heath Ledger and Michael Jackson to name but two who have...
A fortnight ago in my weekly newsletter I wrote about an online petition opposing changes and extensions to the Psychiatry “Bible”, the DSM V. Many people are concerned about new conditions being created and the threshold at which other conditions can be diagnosed,...
