SHOULD I MEDICATE MYSELF OR MY CHILD?
Dr. Miriam Adahan
Almost daily, people ask me if they should put their children or themselves on psychiatric medication. There is no way to answer such a complex question in a short article. However, I would like to provide some guidelines, as we are inundated with advertising which promises to deliver happiness and tranquility or at least “take the edge off” by merely popping a pill. The ads are certainly effective. Prozac-like drugs for children was up 74% between 1995-99. Mood stabilizers rose by 4000%. Some 85% of young women between 12 and 28 suffer food disorders and most of them will be medicated. Ritalin production increased by over 700% between 1990-98. Just hint to a doctor that you are a bit sad or anxious and bingo - the prescription is in your hand.
There is no such thing as a drug without side effects. Whatever benefits you hope to gain must be weighed against the often irreversible and even dangerous side effects, such as loss of libido, tics, stomach distress, sleep disorders, emotional numbing and tremors. Over 70% of all anti-anxiety and anti-depressant medication is given by family doctors, who have no time to talk to patients about making cognitive or dietary changes or to explain possible side effects. Giving a prescription seems like the most convenient solution for both doctors and their patients.
While medication may be necessary for severe psychiatric cases – i.e., people who are violent, suicidal or non-functional – I try to help people learn to manage their intense feelings in a constructive manner (a skill we all need to learn) and find natural alternatives, and for good reason. At first, many people do feel better on medication as their feelings are less intense, which enables them to function better. But as time goes on, many begin to feel frozen emotionally, as if an invisible wall has gone up between them and the world. They stop feeling both the highs and lows which are part of the normal range of emotions. They’ve simply been “passified” as well as pacified.
Before you take medication, ask yourself three questions:
QUESTION #1: AM I EATING A NUTRITIOUS DIET?
The aim of almost all psychiatric drugs is to raise the level of either serotonin or dopamine, the brain’s two major neuro-transmitters. Professor Michael Gershon, M.D., wrote in his book, THE SECOND BRAIN, that 95 percent of our serotonin is produced in the intestines and liver. If the liver is clogged with junk foods and pollutants, the liver cannot do its work to produce those blessed neuro-transmitters.
Most people’s diets include a large amount of fried foods, saturated fats and sugar-laden sweets. Add to this the pollutants in the water and air and some 5000 chemicals in our food, it becomes obvious why so many people to feel tired, grouchy and irritable. What happens next? Most people reach for caffeine or sugar to pick their spirits up, which only toxifies the liver even further. Or, they beg their doctor for drugs, which poisons the liver even further, thus keeping up the endless cycle.
To detoxify the liver so that it can produce serotonin, we must stop putting more toxins in our bodies! We must get used to foregoing the “goodies” which have come to symbolize love and nurturing – mainly white sugar and saturated fats. At first, a tossed salad won’t provide the same “high” as a sugar-laden dessert, but we can get “high” on the pleasures of health, such as enhanced self-esteem, energy and the absence of diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure. When I was weaning myself from sugar, I kept asking myself, “Do I want self-respect or chocolate?” I knew I couldn’t have both. In time, natural, healthy foods began to taste delicious.
In 2003, the Superintendent of a high school in Appleton, Wisconsin, Dr. Thomas Sculler, did an experiment. He threw out the coke machine, invited a local caterer to provide whole wheat baked goods and healthy lunches with lots of fruits and green vegetables. There were no diet drinks either, as aspartame and saccharine have been implicated in lowered serotonin levels. (Avoid SPLENDA too, as chlorine is used in the processing.) Suicide rates, drop-outs, drug abuse and violence dropped almost to zero over the year! The kids were more focused and happier. (A video can be purchased by calling 1-800-558-3535 – ask for Appleton experiment). In his beautiful book, To Kindle a Soul, Rabbi Leib Kelemen describes other experiments, two of which took place in prisons, with the same positive results.
We also need fish oils, which are rich in Omega 3 (I recommend a kosher capsule called OMEGABRITE which can be ordered by calling 1-800-383-2030.) Research shows that Omega 3 can help prevent or delay Alzheimers. Omega 3 capsules taken 2-3 times a day is as effective as anti-depressants for many people with depression, especially women with post-partum depression. During pregnancy, fish oil helps the developing brain of the fetus as well. Pregnant women who eat a lot of junk food will have babies who are as “addicted” to sugar as their moms. Of course, it’s not easy to get our husbands, children (or Inner Child!) used to a healthy diet, but we are likely to see less learning and behavioral disorders if we do so.
QUESTION #2: AM I DOING WHAT I LOVE?
Every human being has a special gift to give this world. When we are engaging in the activities which make our cells sing, we are happy. Notice a born carpenter, musician, teacher, doctor, sportsman in the midst of doing what comes naturally and you will see a happy person! Children who love to learn are happy in the classroom, while others are miserable. Not every woman is happy being a mother or ballabusta nor is every man happy sitting and learning. While we can force ourselves to do what is difficult and “against the grain” for a short amount of time, depression is one way our neshama alerts us to the fact that we are not doing what Hashem meant for us to do. This does not mean that children should be in camp all year or that those who hate to clean should leave their homes a mess. It does mean that we must make time to develop our special talents and also to engage in activities which bring us joy. Otherwise, we feel discouraged and dispirited. If you are not happy with what you are doing, if your eyes never shine with delight, something is very wrong with your life! We live in a society which pushes everyone into certain “socially acceptable” paths if they don’t fit the soul’s goals. This is like telling whole groups of people that they must all wear the same size shoe!
Children who are unsuccessful in the classroom may turn to drugs to lessen the pain of feeling like losers. And many creative types who have no outlet for their talents develop serious emotional disorders. Rashi states, “Whatever you do, do it with love.” (Devarim 11:13)
QUESTION #3: AM I AROUND PEOPLE WHO LOVE ME?
Numerous research studies have proven that the nervous system and the immune system are weakened whenever we are in the presence of critical people. People married to hostile spouses or who have hostile bosses are at high risk for heart disease and strokes. Children who have mean teachers, who are bullied by classmates at recess or on the school bus or verbally abused by siblings or parents are also at high risk for emotional disorders. You can’t feel good about yourself when others are implying that you are crazy, incompetent, stupid or unworthy.
If you lack all three – good physical nourishment, success experiences and love – how can you not feel miserable? Take responsibility for changing whatever you can change!
[One of the activities which brings me great joy is distributing charity directly to people who need it the most, including helping terror victims get back on their feet and paying tuitions so that young people can learn professional skills. Tax-exempt donations can be sent to THE ADAHAN FUND, 2700 W. Chase, Chicago, Il. 60645. To set up a personal appointment, writeemett@netvision.net.il or call 011-972-2-5868201.)