About the disadvantages and dangers of antiphychotic drugs and the possibility of using Niacin as an alternative...https://articles.mercola.com/sites/ar...0404_DNL_art_1

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"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." ~Immanual Kant~

This is very interesting information. For several years I helped facilitate a support group for parents who have a child with a diagnosis of Bipolar, Depression or other sometimes "co occurring" issues.

One of the most difficult things is getting the right "cocktail" of meds and if you get to such a blessed state...to sustain and maintain it.

These Atypical Antipsychotics are definitely a mixed blessing for many. I am glad we have medications but they must be used with wisdom and with great care! Especially for young people. There is very little research done before many Psych Dcs start prescribing these "off label" for a whole variety of conditions not approved by FDA and certainly not approved for 10-17 year olds. This is common practice and I'm not anti medicine at all. I just know from my own experience how vitally important it is to thoroughly research all medications for side effects etc.

One of the most meaningful questions I started asking our doctor...If ____was your child, would you use this?

These medicines need to be carefully evaluated and are highly individual. I would further advise anyone considering their use to make sure you have a complete blood panel done before starting medication so it can be used to see any changes or adverse effects. Also...keeping a simple log when starting a new medication(s) is very helpful when speaking with the Dr how its working...any issues...etc.

It's really exciting to learn that there are viable alternatives and that more and more is being learned about the brain and how we work.

I think a lot of doctors are ignorant to all the side-effects of these prescription drugs, they just know what is told to them by the big pharmaceutical companies that want them to write the scripts. I am against using prescription meds if there is any possibility of using something more natural, especially if a child is involved.

I agree so much! I wouldnt ever take away a much needed "tool" from a parent who is desperate for answers and to help their child. I just think that Drs are so quick to prescribe these medications and they are very cavalier.

I just try to encourage parents and caregivers to do research and really balance the possible risks and benefits. It's really scary to see your child suffer. Both on meds and off. Sometimes it seems the "cure" is worse than the disease. But there is no magic silver bullet. And it's not just using meds but also making good healthy choices and some therapy such as DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) is very promising and can be beneficial even as much as the prescription meds. (Or a natural alternative).

Great... Sorry about that guys.... I thought we were talking about Nicotine as opposed to anti-psychotics. Just goes to show how powerful a draw it still is!