Psychiatrists, Children and Drug Industry’s Role (N.Y.T.)

[otherlander]

Psychiatrists, Children and Drug Industry’s Role
By GARDINER HARRIS, BENEDICT CAREY and JANET ROBERTS
Published: May 10, 2007


When Anya Bailey developed an eating disorder after her 12th birthday, her mother took her to a psychiatrist at the University of Minnesota who prescribed a powerful antipsychotic drug called Risperdal.

Created for schizophrenia, Risperdal is not approved to treat eating disorders, but increased appetite is a common side effect and doctors may prescribe drugs as they see fit. Anya gained weight but within two years developed a crippling knot in her back. She now receives regular injections of Botox to unclench her back muscles. She often awakens crying in pain.

<snip>
Drug makers underwrite decision makers at every level of care. They pay doctors who prescribe and recommend drugs, teach about the underlying diseases, perform studies and write guidelines that other doctors often feel bound to follow.

But studies present strong evidence that financial interests can affect decisions, often without people knowing it.

In Minnesota, psychiatrists collected more money from drug makers from 2000 to 2005 than doctors in any other specialty. Total payments to individual psychiatrists ranged from $51 to more than $689,000, with a median of $1,750. Since the records are incomplete, these figures probably underestimate doctors’ actual incomes.

More at link: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/10/health/10psyche.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper&oref=slogin

[elehhhhna]

1. MJost psychiatrists do not provide therapy anymore-- just prescriptions.

[proud2BlibKansan]

3. And most responsible psychiatrists

require therapy with a counselor or psychologist for their patients.

[proud2BlibKansan]

2. Mixed feelings here

I teach kids with very serious mental illnesses. Drugs are vital for them to function, not just in school but everywhere they go. The side effects can be bad, but life without the meds is worse.

[otherlander]

4. I know some children need to be medicated

and some can eventually be weaned off drugs with therapy, while others need to stay medicated their entire lives. But there are MANY psychiatrists out there who don't seriously wiegh the possiblity of treatment without meds, and push pills when they aren't needed.

[BeHereNow]

5. and that would be because they receive profitable kick-backs from the Pharma Cartel for doing so.

Been there, seen that.
So where is the fucking Congress on regulating this matter?
Oh that's right, they are the OTHER pigs at the payola trough.

BHN