Yasmina Kattou, edited by Loane Nader / Photo credit: B. BOISSONNET / BSIP / BSIP via AFP 07:53, April 19, 2023

A report by the High Council for the Family refers to the alarming use of psychotropic drugs by children. Prescriptions are exploding, and tens of thousands of young people are under their effects. But this report does not please psychiatrists who have signed a platform, defending the interest of these drugs.

Prescriptions for psychotropic drugs for children and adolescents are prescribed in abundance according to the High Council of the Family. In its report, the organization reveals that prescriptions for sedatives and antidepressants have doubled in ten years. Excessive consumption that can be explained by the health crisis and the war in Ukraine, heavy contexts for young people. Obviously, this report does not sit well with psychiatrists and young practitioners, who have signed a platform to defend the interest of these drugs.

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For Dr. Boris Chaumette, psychotropic drugs are necessary for children who suffer from serious psychiatric disorders. "There are diseases where it is essential to have a treatment. For example, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, severe depression," lists the hospital psychiatrist. "There are drugs that are evaluated, that are without side effects, that can be given, including to children, and that must be given to improve symptoms, or even that it is mandatory to give because it is part of the management."

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"A loss of luck for patients"

The psychiatrist, who is also a signatory of the forum for a psychiatry of the 21st century, fears that because of this report of the High Council of the Family, some parents decide to avoid drug treatments for their children, which would have serious consequences. "Playing on fear risks causing patients to turn away from care," he fears.

"From the moment you have an evaluation of a treatment that works, but you don't give it to a patient at that time, it's a loss of opportunity for patients." Indeed, according to Boris Chaumette, contrary to belief, many prescribed psychotropic drugs have few or no side effects and allow patients to reduce their symptoms, or even cure them.