Regulators warn antidepressants may be unsuitable for children

Raising a healthy and happy child has never been more of a challenge than it is today. Drug abuse, sexual abuse and lack of a family structure are driving an increasing number of juveniles to "mental treatment", some are even being "treated" by private therapists.

As many as one in every 33 children and one in eight adolescents may have what many call depression. Suicide is the third leading cause of death for 15 to 24-year-olds and the sixth leading cause of death for 5 to 14-year-olds.

Many of these kids are being "treated" with antidepressants, when a good dose of parental care and attention may be, in fact, what is needed. According to Medical News Today, a new study suggests that a resounding percentage of patients treated with standard treatments for depression did not get any better—they still had their depression after two years.

Regulators in the UK issued a warning that antidepressants may be unsuitable for children because of an estimated 3.2 percent increased risk of suicide among children who take these drugs. The FDA has issued a warning that doctors should be cautious in prescribing antidepressants to children. The warning cited the possibility that antidepressants may be linked to suicides when taken by patients under the age of 18.

Actress Judy Norton, best known for her long running part as Mary Ellen in "The Waltons", a show based on strong family values, is now a mother herself. "Spending time with my son is one of the most important things in my life—and his," says Judy. "Making the time to be with your children and learning how to talk with them is a vital part of creating a safe family environment. I want to establish a strong family support structure for my son, a place where he can grow in confidence and learn to feel good about himself."

Judy applies the techniques of Dianetics, developed by author and philosopher L. Ron Hubbard. In Dianetics:The Modern Science of Mental Health, Mr. Hubbard explains that stress and anxiety can be understood and alleviated, "It is possible, when a person has been too disturbed by an event of the day to address himself to the problem at hand, to alleviate his disturbance with a few minutes of work. A sudden change in the aspect of a patient, a sudden deterioration of his serenity, generally stems from some incident which has caused him mental anguish."

"This happens to kids all the time," says Judy. "But if you know the techniques laid out in Dianetics, you can alleviate the stress and emotion quickly and easily and live a better and happier life without the use of harmful antidepressants and other drugs."

"One of the biggest lessons I have learned is that it all starts with me," says Judy. "When I am feeling low—or I can't cope with my own conflicts and emotions—it spreads right through the family. It's so important to learn to deal with your own issues and emotions. When you feel calm and clear about your life, you can help your children much more effectively. Dianetics helps me do this."

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