Précis 10

Mommy, Am I Really Bipolar?

by Stuart L. Kaplan, M.D. 

 

The article


A new diagnosis of bipolar disorder in children became very fashionable in mid-1990s. Since then, mental disorder formerly known as manic-depressive illness has been diagnosed and medicated in a rapidly increasing population of children, starting even at the age of 2.


As a psychiatrist of almost 50 years, dr Kaplan has witnessed many fad diagnoses, but never before has any of them been embraced so enthusiastically. The problem is very serious, as there is not only no scientific evidence to support it, but the strong evidence to the contrary. Yet thousands of children are prescribed medication suitable for adults, which can have side effects devastating to their health, as it was in case of 2-year old Rebecca Riley whose mother misused one of the prescribed drugs with fatal consequences.

In fact, bipolar disorder seems to be often diagnosed instead of ADHD, ODD (or the combination of the two) or even simple anger control issues – which, if treated properly, enable the children to lead a fairly normal life.

The whole concept seems to have started with a self-help book - The Bipolar Child, by D. and J. Papolos, which was a huge marketing and financial success – and from then, pharmaceutical companies have taken over, financing and encouraging the use of adult medication for children.

Luckily, The American Psychiatric Association is working intensely towards new criteria and considering the introduction of a new diagnosis in child psychiatry - temper dysregulation disorder. If successful, it may spare thousands of children irreparable damage to their health in the future.

Vocabulary:

1. afoot (adj, not used before a noun) - developing or happening now; in progress: Plans were afoot to begin construction on the bridge.; There's trouble afoot.
2. endorsement (n, countable or uncountable) - the act or result of endorsing someone or something: such as a a public or official statement of support or approval: The newspaper has announced its political endorsements.; We're pleased that the project has received your endorsement; Without official endorsement, the project cannot proceed.
   - the act of publicly saying that you like or use a product or service in exchange for money: Many retired athletes are able to make a lot of money by doing product endorsements.
   
3. inherent (adj, formal) - belonging to the basic nature of someone or something: He has an inherent sense of fair play.; She believes strongly in the inherent goodness of all people. — often + in: She believes that goodness is inherent in all people.; There are a number of problems inherent in the design/plan.
   
4. malpractice (n, uncountable, law) - careless, wrong, or illegal actions by someone (such as a doctor) who is performing a professional duty: a surgeon accused of malpractice; Doctors need to have malpractice insurance to protect themselves against lawsuits.
   
5. to elate (v + obj) - to make (someone) very happy and excited: The discovery has elated researchers. - elation (n, uncountable): her feelings of elation at being chosen for the job
   
6. to buttress (v + obj) - to support, strengthen, or defend (something): The treaty will buttress the cause of peace.; The theory has been buttressed by the results of the experiment.
   
7. to buy into sth (phrasal v)- to accept or believe (something) as true: The book teaches kids not to buy into the notion that money brings happiness.; Do you buy into the notion of the world coming to an end in 2012?
   
8. frenetic (adj) - filled with excitement, activity, or confusion; wild or frantic: The celebration was noisy and frenetic. ; frenetic activity
   
9. stakeholder (n, countable) - a person or business that has invested money in something (such as a company): corporate stakeholders
   
10. fad (n) - a practice or interest followed for a time with exaggerated zeal: the fad for cosmetic surgery; Most children have food fads at some time.