Children’s Mental Health: Too Much Medication, Really?

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The report of the High Council for the Family, Childhood and Age, which points to “overmedication” of young patients, is considered “too alarmist” by some.

Par Caroline Peat

Some child psychiatrists are concerned regarding the bad publicity given to anxiolytics and antidepressants prescribed to the youngest (photo illustration).
© AUGROS PIERRE / MAXPPP / PHOTOPQR/PROGRESS

Published on 03/18/2023 at 10:00 a.m.

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Dyears his last online report at the start of the week, the High Council for the Family, Childhood and Age (HCFEA) was alarmed by an increase in the prescriptions of antidepressants and antipsychotics for the youngest. In response, several child psychiatrists say they are worried regarding the risks of a “demonization” of these drugs.

Numbers first. Between 2014 and 2021, the HCFEA indicates that the consumption of psychotropic drugs in children and adolescents increased by 48.54% for antipsychotics; 62.58% for antidepressants; 78.07% for psychostimulants; 27.7% for anticholinergics; 9.48% for dopaminergics and 155.48% for hypnotics and sedatives. These data are not disputed. The High Council – which is a co…