Parents must stay attuned to children
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Re “One diagnosis away from despair,” Current, Nov. 5
Diana Wagman’s experience with her son’s treatment for depression highlights what is happening today in the mental health treatment of adolescents and children.
In the past, when a child had obvious problems, it was minimized with the idea that this was a phase the child would get through eventually. Today, a diagnosis is quickly presented and a medication is prescribed. Both parents and clinicians feel pressure to see improvement as quickly as possible, and mistakes in treatment are inevitable.
Children cannot advocate for themselves. Parents must educate themselves about treatment options, get second opinions, trust their instincts and, most of all, stay attuned to their children, as the Wagmans were able to do with their son.
EVELYN GOODMAN
Culver City
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