"The Medicated Child"

Tonight's Frontline, "The Medicated Child," focused on kids who have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and are taking prescription drugs to control their condition.

As some of you may know, I've had some teachers sort of suggest I put Dan'l on drugs to get him to calm down. The problem is that he he finishes his assignments before the other kids and he gets excited and tries to encourage the other kids so he can have someone to talk to. He's also fearless and because he's an only child, he's used to talking to adults and unfortunately, sometimes tries to get away with talking to use like equals.

I resisted medicating him and instead tried my mom's remedy: hysterics (on my part). It seems to have worked so far. I tell him that his behavior is a reflection on me and I am an upstanding member of the community. I may have also told him that they'd throw me in jail for neglect regardless of what happened. I know I was terrified of the shame I'd bring on my family if anyone saw me throwing a tantrum at a store or church. My mom always said it would kill her and I didn't want everyone to know that I drove my mother her death.

So watching parents give their five-, 15- and 16-year-olds drugs to keep them stable, awake, less anxious and whatever else children with bipolar disorders do scares me. One kid, who is now 16, has a tick as a result of the meds he's been on that makes him roll his head every few seconds.

I hate to sound mean, but what is it about these children? Do they lack discipline? Are the parents too lenient or lazy? Is it something in the water or food? Soap? Lotion? I wonder if my parents medicated my sister, perhaps she may not have been as evil? She's still evil, though. Oh, that's another thing. Seeing how she embarrassed my parents kept me in check.

Raising children is scary. Things are about to get harder with Dan'l, but depending on how hard it gets, I might end up being the one on medication.