Currently, the pharmaceutical industry has turned its gaze to a new target: children. To market drugs intended for this group, questions have arisen about the veracity of certain childhood diseases. Collaboration between the pharmaceutical industry and psychiatrists has intensified, leading to the creation of diagnoses through processes that aren’t entirely scientific. Events like the creation of the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders” establish diseases by voting, generating doubts about their veracity. In this context, the concern about pediatric medication and the need for a critical analysis before resorting to pharmacological treatments is raised.

Pharmaceutical Boom: Children in the Spotlight

Creation of Tailor-Made Diseases

The pharmaceutical industry has found fertile ground in diagnosing pediatric diseases. In an effort to expand its market, this industry is accused of sponsoring the creation of medical conditions tailored to available drugs rather than scientific evidence and real patient need. This phenomenon has led to an increase in the prescription of drugs to treat disorders such as ADHD, which although may be a legitimate condition, in many cases is hastily diagnosed. The criticism lies in the possible influence of pharmaceutical companies on health professionals, who might be more willing to diagnose and medicate rather than opt for therapeutic alternatives. This focus on preventive medication and the creation of tailor-made diseases reflects a worrying trend that jeopardizes child health.

Attack on Childhood: Medication or Invention?

The line between treating a real disease and medicating an invented condition has become blurry. Some experts argue that we are witnessing an assault on childhood, where normal behaviors of children are labeled as pathologies requiring pharmacological treatment. The problem lies in the subjectivity that often accompanies the diagnosis of psychiatric disorders in minors. Without a clear biological basis, the decision to medicate is heavily based on interpretations and less on concrete data. The result is a generation of children and adolescents subjected to potent drugs with significant side effects, without a full understanding of the long-term consequences. Parents and caregivers face the challenge of distinguishing between the real need for medical intervention and the possibility of a pharmaceutical invention that responds more to commercial interests than to the health of minors

Role of the Psychiatrist: License to Prescribe

Theory over Science: A Risk?

The role of the psychiatrist is fundamental in the treatment of mental disorders, but there is increasing concern about how theory may be overtaking science in clinical practice. Often, psychiatrists rely on unproven theories to prescribe drugs. For example, the idea of brain chemical imbalance as a cause of mental disorders is a widely accepted concept, however, it lacks solid scientific evidence. This theoretical approach increases the risk of overmedication and prescribing unnecessary treatments that can harm health. The responsibility lies with mental health professionals to balance theory with scientific evidence, ensuring that treatment decisions are based on concrete data and not assumptions. This balance is crucial to protect the integrity and well-being of patients, especially when it comes to children and adolescents.

Chemical Imbalance: Myth or Reality?

The concept of chemical imbalance as a cause of mental disorders has been a cornerstone in modern psychiatry. However, the validity of this theory is being questioned. Despite its popularity, research has not been able to conclusively confirm that issues like depression or anxiety are due exclusively to imbalances in neurotransmitters like serotonin. This skepticism has led the scientific community to re-evaluate the basis of psychotropic prescription. While some health professionals insist that chemical imbalances are a reality that can be corrected with medication, others argue that this simplification ignores the complexity of human psychology and the environmental and social factors that influence mental health. The debate continues, and the need for a deeper understanding is crucial for the development of more effective and safer treatments.

DSM: The Manual of “Invented Diseases”

Disease Voting: A New Reality

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) is a key tool for psychiatrists and other mental health professionals. However, the method by which new diseases are added to the manual has generated controversy. The diseases and disorders included in the DSM are often decided by vote among a committee of experts. This process has aroused criticism because it can be more influenced by opinions and current trends than solid scientific evidence. Additionally, some of these voted conditions may reflect the interests of the pharmaceutical industry, which benefits from the creation of new markets for its products. This reality raises profound questions about the integrity of psychiatric practice and the validity of diagnoses that affect the lives of many people, especially the youngest.

Examples and Consequences of Diseases by Voting

The voting process to include disorders in the DSM has resulted in the addition of diseases that were not previously considered such. For example, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has seen an exponential increase in its diagnosis, as well as the prescription of stimulant drugs in children. Another case is social anxiety disorder, which can be interpreted as severe shyness and has also had a noticeable increase in its treatment with drugs. The consequences of labeling these conditions as diseases are significant. Stigmatization, overmedication, and the deviation from possible alternative treatments are just a few. Additionally, doubts are raised about the authenticity of diagnoses and the possibility that behind them are economic interests rather than concern for people’s mental health.

The Business of Health: Fictional Diseases with Real Medication

Attention Deficit: An example of a creation?

The diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a clear example of how a medical condition can be influenced by economic and social factors. Although ADHD is a legitimate neurological disorder, the frequency of its diagnosis has dramatically increased. This increase has fueled debate over whether we are facing a real epidemic or if it is due to over-diagnosis and, therefore, over-medication. Critics argue that normal childhood behaviors are being misinterpreted as pathological, leading to excessive prescription of drugs like stimulants. These medications, while effective for some, pose risks and side effects that should not be ignored. The concern is that in some cases, children may be being treated with unnecessary drugs, questioning the ethics of medical practice and the influence of the pharmaceutical industry in creating diagnoses.

Childhood Diabetes: A misguided diagnosis?

Childhood diabetes is an area of great concern due to its increasing prevalence. However, the increase in the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes in children has sparked intense debate. Some experts argue that factors such as child obesity and sedentary habits are behind this increase, while others see a trend to overdiagnose and, therefore, over treat. Instead of first focusing on lifestyle changes and diet, which is crucial in the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes, a quick transition to medication is observed. This pharmaceutical approach may divert attention from essential preventive measures and education about healthy habits. The question is whether we are prioritizing the interests of the pharmaceutical industry over the long-term well-being of children, promoting medications in situations where non-pharmacological interventions could be more appropriate and less invasive.

Conclusion: Beyond Medication

Given this constantly evolving reality, it’s essential to stress the importance of considering the full context before turning to child medication. Evaluating personal habits, the child’s specific environment, and other environmental variables are key to making informed decisions about children’s health.

It’s frequently shown that unhealthy weight, due to poor diet or sedentary lifestyle, can lead to numerous diseases that medication, no matter how advanced or tailored, cannot fully resolve. Therefore, in these cases, adjusting the diet and improving physical activity habits should be the first step before even considering medication.

Furthermore, in today’s digital era, excessive use of social media and exposure to devices emitting electromagnetic fields, such as Bluetooth devices, are becoming factors that can impact our children’s health. Screen overload can lead to sedentary behaviors and disrupt sleep patterns, whereas long-term effects on health from continuous exposure to electromagnetic fields are still under study and raise questions.

In light of the above, we face the imperative of a deeper reflection on how we manage our children’s health. Medication, although it might be the only option in some cases, should not be the first resource we turn to. Instead, we should strive to understand and modify the underlying causes of health concerns and promote healthy lifestyles from an early age. This involves cultivating good dietary habits, promoting regular physical activity, controlling exposure to digital devices and providing an environment conducive to the child’s overall well-being.

The task may not be easy, but it undoubtedly pays off to ensure a healthy future for our children. We must remember that our goal is always to promote the holistic health of our children, not just to treat symptoms of a disease. Careful and informed decision-making will not only minimize the need for medication, but also pave the way to a healthier future for the coming generations.