I recently watched an important film by Kevin P. Miller (@kevinpmiller), Generation RX. I ordered the DVD through the website, but you can also find it on Amazon.
We watched the video as a family, and we were captivated throughout. My teenage children, who are 17 and 15, sat through the entire length of the video. I was pleasantly surprised that they were able to sit through a documentary, which does not happen too often. We then had a long, sometimes heated, discussion about the issue. It made all of us think.
Generation RX is a compelling documentary which contains disturbing and alarming information everyone should be aware of before considering ADHD or anti-depressant medications. The doctors will not tell you about it. The drug companies will not tell you about it. You need to be proactive in obtaining your own information to decide what chemicals you are putting into your child and yourself, especially when it comes to altering the way our brains function.
In today's acronym-happy, take-a-pill-to-cure-all society, the only party who stands to benefit may be the drug companies.
It had been suggested to me repeatedly that my son may have ADHD during his first few years in grade school. After doing some research, I chose to ignore those suggestions, and he is now a perfectly normal and active 15-yr-old who makes the honor roll every year.
On the flip side, though, I don't think the other side of the issue was fairly represented in the video. I found myself hoping and waiting for a segment that presented the opposing side who believes in the effectiveness of the medications. It's hard to be pragmatic without looking at both sides.
I wanted to hear some stories of those whose lives were improved because of the drugs, and could they have used an alternate approach? There are shocking correlations between these drugs and violent behaviors, but do they actually "cause" those behaviors? It's hard to tell. However, it cannot be ignored or taken lightly, especially if you or your children are on these meds.
Do your research. Watch this video. Look around and realize just how many people are taking these medications in your own circle of influence. Think for yourselves. Don't let the drug companies do the thinking for you and decide the future of your children.
Thank you for your very kind support and comments about 'Generation RX.' You mentioned that you "don't think the other side of the issue was fairly represented in the video," so please allow me to respond.
ReplyDeleteWhen I set out to produce this film, I did so knowing that for decades, scores of doctors, government officials, journalists, and others had already been extolling the benefits of psychiatric medicines for children. They sold these drugs to the public - repeatedly through the media - as "safe, scientific, and effective," so my premise was that THAT side of the story had been told ad nauseum.
GENERATION RX presents "the rest of the story" and unveils how shoddy the science really is - and what price has been paid by our society.
I do not try to tell people NOT to take these drugs, but it has been my position from Day One that before a person makes a decision to put their child on a psychiatric medicine that they should have ALL of the information available prior to making this choice. That is called 'informed choice.'
If, after seeing Generation RX they decide that their child should still take these meds...that is fine. That is Free Will...but at least they have ALL of the info before making that choice.
Many thanks for your thoughts - I truly appreciate hearing from you!
Kevin P. Miller
Good point, Kevin! Thank you for responding.
ReplyDeletePlease keep in mind that I do agree with you on all of the points. You are preaching to the choir.
I was only trying to look at it from the perspective of a person who may be undecided... or even from the perspective of the person who may disagree with you.
Because, after all, those are the people we have to reach, no?
I think your ideas are too important not to be taken seriously by people on all sides. And what about the children themselves? They may have not had the chance to hear both sides. They need to be given the chance to think as well.
Dear Linda:
ReplyDeleteI am so happy that you watched this with your teenagers — and that they gladly sat throughout the entire film and engaged in a discussion about the film's contents afterwards. They are blessed to have a Mom like you who respects them — and who engages them.
If there were only more like you we'd be in much better shape as a people.
Thank you so very much.
Be well,
Kevin P. Miller