Skip to main content

Meds and Teenagers in the News


Extra credit opportunities for Psychology students. Read or listen to one of the following stories. Post your comment. In your comment, discuss your opinion on the issue dealt with in the news story you selected.
A number of stories on the topic of meds and children/teenagers have appeared in the media in recent months. Here is a sampling:
NPR story: Growing up on Meds:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=89916932
New York Times editorial - Coming of Age on Antidepressants:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/15/health/15mind.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&adxnnlx=1209070976-Ob2f0ejyrOdfhbbdsjQk+Q
"Antidepressant Overload"
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=89882885
Antidepressants and Suicide:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=14210126
Watch PBS "Frontline" episode "The Medicated Child"
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/medicatedchild/
More extra credit opportunities under the "Schizophrenia Resources" post
Note: Documentary on PBS - Topic: Depression
Labels:

Comments

Hamilton3 said…
I found this article interesting. I have always thought that antidepressants were an absolute no for children and teens, due to the fact that they increased suicidal thoughts. Based on this research, saying that suicide rates have increased after the "black box label" has been issued by the FDA, I feel that it may be a better bet for people to have "increased thoughts of suicide" than actually committing the act.
April 24, 2008 at 9:16 PM
ryan3 said…
I think that America is over medicated. I mean, sure, some people need them, and have to deal with the side effects, but pills for things like "Restless Leg Syndrome"?! Anyways, on the article..
Of course being on pills makes you different than you really are. That's pretty much the reason you're on them. I think it would be depressing to have no sense of who you are off the meds. I think that meds should be the last resort(I'm not sure if they are or not right now) to psycogical problems.
April 27, 2008 at 11:47 AM
MMarshall4 said…
Medication is quite certainly out of hand these days. The United States is the only nation in the world where drug companies are allowed to advertise medicine.

I am also quite disturbed by how the psychiatrists where prescribing the medicine, rather than truly mapping out how the child was mentally and precisely categorizing the problem, they guess and check on what will work.

It is pretty important to remember that drugs aren't an easy quick fix, even aspirin, perhaps the most common drug used, has the long term effect of macular degeneration, which leads to blindness.
April 27, 2008 at 9:52 PM
Social Studies Toolbox said…
Recorded points for the three of you!
April 28, 2008 at 4:55 PM
Anonymous said…
I believe that all of the antidepresants are really what is killing the people that commit suicide. After they have been prescribed as depressed, the doctors just give them pills so they can hopefully feel better. They would most likely be on it for the rest of their lives and it drives them crazy and they commit suicide under all of the strain. I do believe that if a child was prescribed as depressed they shouldn't take the pills but look for another source of treatment. Maybe a phychologist, therapist, who knows. But if children were to take the depression pills it would be like sighning their death warrents.
May 1, 2008 at 8:59 AM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

10 Creative One-Pager Ideas for Social Studies

10 Creative One-Pager Ideas for Social Studies As a social studies teacher, you understand that the subject is one of the most important aspects of education, and it is vital to keep your students engaged and motivated in their learning. One way to achieve this is through the use of one-pagers, a creative and visually appealing way to summarize information and showcase understanding. One-pagers offer a chance to showcase a student’s creativity, critical thinking skills, and grasp of the subject. In this blog post, we will explore ten creative one-pager ideas for social studies that will not only maximize your students’ learning but also spark their creativity and critical thinking skills. Why Use One-Pagers in Social Studies? One-pagers are an excellent way to get students engaged in the learning process. They are a creative and visually appealing way to summarize information and showcase understanding. By utilizing one-pagers, you can help your students to: Process information more ef...
3 comments
Read more

Examples of Map Legends and Map Symbols (Plus Creative Tips and Project Ideas!)

Creative tips and projects for teaching students about legends (keys) on a map: 1. Create a scavenger hunt: Give students a map with a key and have them find different landmarks or features on the map. For example, you might ask them to find a park, a school, and a river. This is a fun way to get students engaged with maps and help them learn how to read legends. 2. Make your own map: Have students create their own maps of their school or neighborhood. They can include symbols for different features like buildings, parks, and roads. This is a great way to get students thinking about the different elements that go into making a map. 3. Use technology: There are many online tools that allow you to create custom maps with your own symbols and legends. Have students use these tools to create their own maps of their community or a fictional place. 4. Create a legend matching game: Create cards with different symbols from a map legend and have students match them to the correct definition. T...
7 comments
Read more

Ripped Paper World Map Project - Middle or High School Geography

Earlier this week I presented my students with a challenge. Create a world map using construction paper, glue, and a sharpie. No scissors.  Students were not allowed to use any tools to cut out their continents. They had to tear their continents from construction paper. After their continents were ready, students were asked to label them and then glue them in place.  Each student's map needed a title, compass rose, key, symbols, Equator, and Prime Meridian, and all the continents and oceans had to be labeled. Most of my students had a blast creating their maps. Of course, a couple students were anxious; worried their continents wouldn't look nice. With some reassuring, they proceeded and did just fine.  This activity is a perfect back-to-school or sub-day activity. It required very little prep and materials. I let my students use any color construction paper they wanted as long as they selected two different colors.  The results were fantastic! Grab your copy of the ...
Post a Comment
Read more