What Killed Rebecca Riley?

Katie Couric Reports On The Diagnosis Of Bipolar Disorder In Kids

(CBS)  On Dec. 13, 2006, police responded to a 911 call and found a little girl lying dead on the floor next to her parents' bed. The autopsy revealed that she had died from an overdose of psychiatric drugs. Rebecca Riley was being treated for bipolar disorder, or manic depression, even though she was just four years old.

If that sounds unusual to you, it's not. As Katie Couric reports, until recently the disorder was believed to emerge only in adults. Now, it is estimated that there are nearly one million children diagnosed as bipolar, making it more common than autism and diabetes combined. And to treat it, doctors are administering some medications that have yet to be approved for children. In the case of Rebecca Riley, that cocktail of medications proved fatal and now her parents have been charged with her murder.

---

Carolyn Riley is now in jail in Boston awaiting trial and is being medicated for depression. She told 60 Minutes her daughter's problems began when Rebecca was only two years old. Carolyn took her to a psychiatrist because she had difficulty sleeping and seemed hyperactive.

"Constantly getting into things, running around, not being able to settle down," Riley remembers.

"Did you ever think, 'Well, she's two and a half years old.' There's this thing called the terrible 2's. Did you think this could, in fact, be normal?" Couric asks.

"Yes," Riley tells Couric. "The psychiatrist said that she thought that it was more than just normal."

The toddler who could barely speak in full sentences was diagnosed with bipolar disorder after several sessions over eight months. She had just turned 3. And she wasn't the only one in the family: her ten-year-old brother and four-year-old sister were already being treated for the same illness by the same doctor at Tufts-New England Medical Center. Rebecca was eventually prescribed three medications to stabilize her mood: Seroquel, an anti psychotic; Depakote, an anti seizure drug; and Clonidine, a blood pressure medication -- medications that would ultimately prove fatal on Dec. 13th.

Riley says she thought Rebecca had just a little bit of a cold and gave her daughter "Children's Tylenol Plus Cough & Runny Nose."

In the middle of the night, Riley remembers her daughter didn't want to go to sleep. "So I brought her in the room. She was right beside me on the floor. And I laid down and went to sleep," she recalls.

Before she put her to bed that night, next to her on the floor, Riley says she gave her daughter half a Clonidine.

Asked why, Riley tells Couric, "Because she hadn't been able to get to sleep since six o'clock."

"Then what happened?" Couric asks.

"Then I woke up to the alarm in the morning. And knelt down to wake her up. And there was no waking her up," Riley replies.

Riley says she knew at that point that her daughter had died. Carolyn Riley and her husband Michael were charged with first-degree murder.

The prosecutor alleged at their arraignment in February that they were overdosing Rebecca by repeatedly giving her more medication than she was prescribed. "It was used on Rebecca, her sister and her brother for one simple purpose by these defendants: to knock them out and make them sleep," the prosecutor claimed.

But the Rileys claim that they were following doctor's orders. 60 Minutes wanted to talk to the psychiatrist, Dr. Kayoko Kifuji, but she declined. Instead 60 Minutes got a statement from her hospital: "The care we provided was appropriate and within responsible professional standards."

60 Minutes did obtain a copy of Rebecca's medical records. In them, Dr. Kifuji notes Rebecca's increased risk of mental illness because of her family history. She diagnosed Rebecca after Carolyn said her daughter was - quote - "driving me crazy" and her mood switches within a minute. She would eventually prescribe the preschooler more than ten pills a day.

Riley says she did feel that that was a lot of pills for a little girl, but she says she went ahead and gave Rebecca the prescriptions. "I trusted the doctor," she says.

Dr. Kifuji has stopped practicing, pending a ruling by the state medical board. But her lawyer has said she was just practicing mainstream psychiatry. It's now estimated that nearly one million children like Rebecca Riley have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, or manic depression. And while some psychiatrists told 60 Minutes that early diagnosis is saving lives, a growing number of doctors say it is being over-diagnosed.

[nlm2383]

How can a judge say that the parents were giving the girl too many drugs? If the doctor prescribes them, then they are supposed to give them to her. If anyone is to blame it is the doctor. I hope they fight this...

[ladyephesus1]

I agree. doctors will give you anything these days to get their paycheck. This is so sad. 10 pills for any small child is crazy unless they have serious health issues. Parents learn from this!! Dont kill your children because you want more time on the internet or party time. This is crazy.

[tnt1954]

thanks for this story ms. couric. they had no food,
no clothing, no shelter and were depressed and
felt hopeless. the psychiatrist brought into
comment on the situation felt what they really
needed was anti-depressant medication.

[tnt1954]

a few years ago i made a request to msnbc they
do a story on asylums. soon afterwards, joe seiganthal did an award winning series on prisons all
over the u.s.a. i suppose
they figured if a person is really a danger to
himself and others, the best place would be prison.
most of the prisoners, had psychiatric diagnoses.
it would be a most challenging series to do on
private asylums. oh, yes they have been done before.
but not at great length. since most state institutions were all closed down due to supreme
court decisions it would be apropos during election
year coming up. if not for charitable institutions
many would literally starve to death. in times
past milieu alone helped most. food, clothing,
shelter, friends, company, a nice two to three week
free respite from the ''weather'' outside. the cold
cruel world beyond the asylum doors. a little
time, to figure out a new survival plan when they
return.
yes, food, clothing and shelter are necessary for
health. many work like the dickens to provide
it each day. they can''t spare much to help feed
and clothe and shelter others. sadly, there''s
only so much to go around. remembering the malthusian theories i learned in high school economics from dr. clemens in woodland hills, ca,
at taft high school. truly a dismal science.
scarcity. paucity. expansion into space may be
the only true hope.

[toldyouso21]

Just like "all the amazing amount of Adults with gastro-intestinal reflux" it is a Pharmaceutical scam. The pharmaceutical industry are creating their own patients now. . Witness the enormous amounts of ads on tv from everything from erectile dysfunction to "happy pills" for those who self diagnose for depression. People are shown the cartoon or given the blurb--and then told to ask their doctors about it--then the doctors are off the hook--because they did not talk the patient into the symptoms--the commercial did.

Doctors are paid off, bribed, wined, dined, given free meds and equipment and other bonuses to try and remain loyal to certain products In 2001, I was diagnosed with gas reflux after having had very bad heartburn for about 3 days. WAs I a frequent heartburn patient? NO. I told the Doctor that I had a similar bout of heartburn in 1989. she suggested I had gastro intestinal reflux--I asked her why? She stated that due to "chronic indications for years--that such a diagnosis was evident.

see next post

[toldyouso21]

ake diagnosis continues.....
Wasn''t SHE the lucky one? I asked her what her kickback fee from the Pharmaceutical companies was. She was shocked. I explained that I had worked as an investigator of companies for years and that chronic was not a term to describe 2 episodes of heartburn within 12 years. I also asked her why so many people all of a sudden had gastro-int. reflux without the accompanying esophegeal burns, ulcerations, measurements of stomach acid, throat examination, etc.
I kept the script for posterity. She mysteriously left the prctice less than 6 months later. I went home and took Mylanta. To date--no other episodes of heartburn.

Note--the use of these products can CREATE the need for them as the body compensates for low stomach acidity by producing more acid--so if you ever try to stop taking the meds--now your body really does produce to much and you really do--now have a problem.

THINK. If you have to be told you need medications by a commercial--don''t play the game--the Pharm. companies and doctors get richer and the harm to you--could cost you your life--if you think that little fact bothers the dr or the companies, there is some toxic land or crappy bridge somewhere you can buy.

[toldyouso21]

Diagnosing people with a lot of diseases and getting them to take meds for them is a dream come true for the Pharm. companies and the drs. From allergies to diabetes type II and other illnesses--the diagnosis, and use of the drugs guarantee a customer/patient for years and for life.

Many of the drugs set up a vicious circle of need, where to stop taking the drugs will cause either a return of symptoms or much worse symptoms than before.

In the case of Type II diabetes, most Drs know that a ketogenic diet can reverse the effects, symptoms and need for drugs--but they don''t push that. Instead they put the person on a diet too rich in carbs--because the MEDICINE NEEDS those carbs in order to work. Those carbs cause the person to stay a Type II Diabetic and need the meds--but the fact is, there is no cure for diabetes, while the drugs can control the insulin levels, it can not stop the progression of associative diseases that go along with diabetes.

This means, that dr and pharm companies have people on diets and taking meds that can keep them diabetic--knowing now that diabetes also contributes to heart disease, HBP, high cholesterol, kidney and liver problems, nerve damage and ultimately death.

but hey, it takes years--and in the meantime people have nice meds and the pharms and doctors have a patient for life. Nothing like a loyal customer. Except one being held hostage by lies, misinformation and questionable remedies for what ails them.

[klingon69]

I agree. doctors will give you anything these days to get their paycheck. This is so sad. 10 pills for any small child is crazy unless they have serious health issues. Parents learn from this!! Dont kill your children because you want more time on the internet or party time. This is crazy.
Posted by ladyephesus1 at 06:47 PM : Sep 28, 2007
Not only doctors, but teachers and school administrators will try to tell parents that their children have some dread condition like bi-polar, ADD, ADHD...etc. The teachers can''t maintain discipline in the classroom, so they want the kids drugged and the school boards go along with this.

[klingon69]

THINK. If you have to be told you need medications by a commercial--don''''t play the game--the Pharm. companies and doctors get richer and the harm to you--could cost you your life--if you think that little fact bothers the dr or the companies, there is some toxic land or crappy bridge somewhere you can buy.
Posted by toldyouso21 at 09:21 AM : Sep 29, 2007

Some of the side-effects they describe in the commercials, I think I would rather have the problem.

[bhooks2]

Never Forget - one half of all doctors graduated in the lower 50% of their class.

[grammawhamma]

All three of her children where diagnosed as being bi polar. Are you kidding me? Who takes a little child to a psychiatrist anyway? I also blame the doctor because I''m thinking this mother might not be too bright and just trusted the doctor.

I too am so so sick of these commercials pushing drugs. Imagine much money is spent on these needless ads...thus raising the price of meds even higher. They banned cigarette commercials...now lets do away with the drug commercials!!

[grammawhamma]

CBS....please stop these Ron Paul posts...allow them only when it pertains to the subject at hand!!!!

[annvarpness]

I too understand that as parents we trust everything the doctors say. My son who also has Bipolar was sent home from the hospital on twelve medications. I followed the directions and two days later I couldn''t wake him up. I added nothing more than what the doctor said. I was later told some of his medication were twice the amount that was legal. Now I question every doctor every medication and research things through the internet. I also run a parent support group. God bless all you parents that have children with mental illness I know you battle daily.

[bipolardad]

GrammaWhamma,
You must be from my parents'' generation. They too would state "off the cuff" something along the lines of "who takes a little child to the psychiatrist, anyway?" I have a response for you from those of us in the late 20-something to early 40-something range: many of us.

You may be one of those very fortunate souls who has no history of mental illness in her family lines. I wish we could all be so fortunate. That''s not the case. I have a child with Asperger''s syndrome and a child with bipolar disorder. There is a long history of bipolar disorder in my wife''s birth family--she was adopted--with at least one person in every generation to four generations back being afflicted with this awful disease. Fortunately, we understand much more about bipolar now than we did even fifteen years ago, when it took four years to diagnose a friend of mine.

My wife states: "You would never think of withholding insulin to a diabetic child and yet many children die of insulin overdoses." Mental illness is not well accepted by many in our society, but as someone who has been hospitalized myself due to major depression, I assure you it is real. Those who escape diagnosis as children often have greater difficulty as adults. Some children are very ill with this disease. Again, you would treat a diabetic child or a child with a heart failure, correct? Why would you not treat a child who has a mental illness?

[grammawhamma]

bipolardad: Thank you for your response. I admit I know very little about children who are diagnosed as bipolar. I will be watching 60 minutes tonight to learn more about it. I wish you and your family well.

I do however think that too many children are given pills such as Ritalin and Adderall. I am also amazed at the number of women in their 40''s and 50''s who are on anti-anxiety and/or meds for depression. I would have to estimate it at about 70% in my community. I know there are people out there that do need medications for depression but I find it hard to believe 70% of woman in this age group suffer from depression requiring medication. This has become a pill popping/gotta feel good society.

[rwell44-2009]

It is apparent a lot of people have never dealt with a child that has gone in to rages that are so extreme the child at the age of 5 can break the fingers of an adult school teacher (which my grandson did). You are looked at as though you don''t know how to take care of your child and you can''t make your child behave. Many people think that all a kid needs is a good old fashioned whipping.

This woman should not be in jail and certainly should not be charged with murder. If you have never walked in the shoes don''t be so quick to judge. Trust me, we have looked for years for some other treatment than the psychiatric drugs he is prescribed. We have frequent visits with his medical doctor as well as his psychiatrist. His blood is monitored for levels of the drugs in his system. We have had EKG''s, EEG''s, MRI''s, CAT Scans and many other medical testing done to look for other possible reasons for his mental illness. We find no answers. If you have an answer please let the world know. We are looking for one, my grandson started medications at the age of 4 and he is 10 years old now. Where is the answer?

[loriview]

How much was Biederman paid by the pharmaceutical companies to push their pills?

[hkuker]

Do you think Myers Anderson (Clarence Thomas'' Grandfather) worried about whether Clarence Thomas was bi-polar or manic depressive?

[gustroh]

It just goes to show that the medical industry is in it for the money, only. You can see it in the adverts for anything... cures this but...side effects include............................................................................................................................................etc.
We''ve become a country of lab rats.
But at least we have the decency to not harm a fetus for its stem cells.
I laugh at the world.
Seriously,
Gus

[elwelsh-2009]

WAY TO GO KATIE, THIS HAS ALWAYS BEEN A PROBLEN WITH YOUNG CHILDREN, I''AM A FOSTER PARENT, I''VE HAD 9 FOSTER TEENAGE BOYS, ALL BUT ONE HAS BEEN ON SOME KIND OF MEDICATION,SO SAD, SO SAD, I ADMIT THERE ARE SOME CHILDREN THAT DO NEED SOME MEDS, TO FOCUS LIKE IN THEIR SCHOOL WORK.I AHD ONE 16YR OLD THAT WAS ON 5 DIFFERENT KINDS OF MED (2)IN WHICH WAS FOR BIPOLAR DISORDER, HE HAD BEEN ON THEASE SAME MEDS SAME DOSAGE SINCE HE WAS ABOUT 11 OR 12, LONG BEFORE HE EVER CAME TO LIVE WITH ME, KATIE, PLEASE DON''T LET THIS GO, THEASE CHILDREN NEED A VOICE LIKE YOU, AND CBS TO SPEAK FOR THEM, THIS HAS BEEN QUIET FOR TOO LONG.

REGARDS, MRS.E

[babymelany]

Part 1
When I first saw the story teaser my first reaction was how could they arrest her?? But I have to admit after hearing it, I''m not really shocked anymore. Though I would not take my child to a psychiatrist, I understand that there are children who need it. In this case, from the notes taken and the words of the mother, I think she a completely normal child and the doctor was just medicating the child for the mother''s sake. Does anyone else see this as being the case? For example, the mother complained that her daughter was hyper - mine are too if when we spend a lot of time inside, she just had a nap, just woke up or anyone gives her soda, pop, or something else with large amounts of sugar. How do I control this? Not by drugging her, but loving that she has SO much energy and taking her outside to "run" it off, lol. My son is the same way, and with gym class reduced in his school to one day a week, I am not at all schocked that he just wants to be all over the place. Again, we go outside and they get to run, play, etc and we get in they feel much better and can relax.

[yogadhar]

i know this is not the answer for every child, but for many cases that are not too extreme, parents should try homeopathy. it worked very well with my child, and it was inexpensive, fast and had no , repeat NO side effects. at this point , anyone who is interested can simply type "homeopathy" and their child''s disorder into a search engine to learn more, but of course you must find a qualified doctor to actually treat a child homeopathically... it is worth a try consdiering the huge downside of pharmacutical drugs.

[babymelany]

Part 2
This mother just sounds like she didn''t know how to deal with children and the amount of energy (not to mention that they have their own little minds and may not always see eye to eye with you, even at 2, but that''s the job of a parent, not a drug to teach them to get along, compromise, etc with people)they have. What I don''t understand is how she managed the other two she had....oh wait, all three were drugged for the same thing. Nevermind.

[dnoto-2009]

One story 60 minutes might want to look into is pharmaceutical companies and how they support certain doctors for certain studies. It is very much to the benefit of a pharmaceutical company for an MD to have an extremely broad view of what characteristics make up a particular mental illness. The broader the definition the more people you will find with the illness--the more people who can be prescribed a drug as long as there is ''clinical evidence'' to support the diagnosis. Bipolar disorder isn''t on the rise and neither are we finding more cases because ''we now know what to look for''. The only reason there are so many new diagnosis of bipolar disorder (especially in young children recieving state medical insurance) is becuase pharmeceutical companies need to continue to make money and need access to more potential customers. I know this is over simplified and horribly cyncial, but it is really what is going on. In addition it is much more difficult to accept that some families are really in need of more intensive services than monthly visits to a psychiatrist.
--PS I would guess that over half of the commerical sponsors for 60-minutes are pharmeceutical companies.

[pam1953-2009]

Children are being ''chemically restrained'' under the guise of having a disorder. What happened to parents being in charge? What happened to parents quietly and lovingly saying ''NO'', instead of ''negotiating'' with a 2 year old. Who is giving guidance? Now children, who are so often totally lost because there are NO adults giving guidance and making them feel secure, are being labeled with a disorder... How sad...How tragic..... So called ''parents'' will now go on tv claiming their kids are crazy, while maybe all they needed to do was take charge, be PARENTS, take the time and show the young ones the difference between right and wrong. I am a parent, also had a classroom full of these so called ''crazies''. The first hour of my day was spent feeding these children, and simply listening to them tell their stories....How animated and bright they were when there was someone to simply listen to them......

[circe4]

LOOK DEEPER. These children suffer from iodine and magnesium deficiencies, and toxic overload. http://www.optimox.com click on research. Big Pharma has determined that iodine is dangerous but it is not. I work as a CRMA and I know that docs do not treat underlying conditions. They are glorified drug reps.

[aed67]

I must tell you I am disgusted. I no longer refer to myself as someone that "suffers from" mental illness, but someone that is "diagnosed with" mental illness. I only wish that someone could have prevented the more than 2 DECADES of suffering that I experienced. With a network show that has a "lead line" of ''CBS Cares'' you very obviously DO NOT. Only Mike Wallace would understand truly what it has been like to deal with such a life threatening disease. I am bipolar and have now, as only the direct result of my own education, been correctly diagnosed. Please do not mislead the public any longer by reporting misinformation.

Amy D., Naples, Florida

[medicrick1]

Wish you had interviewed some good Psychologists whose speciality is therapy rather than Psychiatrists who have a strong belief in medicine and are quick to write perscriptions.

[kgcomment]

Rebecca Riley''s Mother seems to me to be a victim of medical malpractice. She is an example of a young mother trusting the professional integrity of a doctor. She is not very different from the majority of young mothers, often overwhelmed, working and dependent on the support and knowledge of their community. The guilty party is a doctor over perscribing drugs.

[aed67]

p.s. to my earlier comments, how fitting is it that you run an NFL update sponsored by "chantix", a drug created to treat cigarette addiction, during your broadcast. Have you given any thought to the number of people with mental illness that have developed serious addictions due to self medication?? Now that would be a much more "human" interest story!

[msaylor3]

What you have scratched is the tip of the iceberg of enormous profits enjoyed by the collusion between the pharmacology and psychology industries. I wonder what future lawsuits will pay out for all these erroneously diagnosed and medicated mental patients will be?

[barbara487]

When will someone address the pharmaceutical companies and hold them accountable? They push their drugs on unsuspecting parents who are scared to say "NO". No to the doctors and the drugs they prescribe. Children on psychotropic meds???? Come on! Drug companies are making millions on our children. Of all the health plans that those running for president are talking about, none talk about reducing the cost of health care and the medications or even looking at what these medications are doing to our society. When will we learn that doctors only make money by prescribing meds.......not by looking at the underlying cause.

[babymelany]

kgcomment:
I don''t understand how she can be a victim. She had every oppurtunity to do research whether it was a library, the internet, friends, a second opinion, books, etc. There is information everywhere you look on children and on bipolar. She didn''t even bother to check the dosages? Even that information is available through the pharmacy where she had the prescriptions filled....did she ask if that was too much as it got increased? No. She complained and complained about her kid being out of control and the dr gave her what she asked for, more meds. I don''t think she was the victim. I think many parents out there that need the help for their kids will research ALL their options and try to gather as much information as they get and then some when something is wrong with their kids.....especially a disorder of any kind, wouldn''t you?

[rhondaq]

I kept waiting for Couric to raise the issues of "the crazy check". It was not mentioned, but I would bet money that the parents were receiving funds based on the bi polar diagnosis. As sickening as it sounds, this is qute common.

[fuddyjak]

What rock has these "experts" climbed out from? I raised a hyperactive child without any form of medication...how...I behaved like a parent and yes, chased him around and sometimes I felt exhausted, but little by little he learned more self control! Parenting is a full time job and today this man is a wonderful, calm loving husband and father of which I am so proud of. That poor child did not have parents that wanted to put the energy into helping her w/o medicating her....shameful...and how much did these experts pay attention to their daily diet...look how overweight this mother is, not from a healthy lifestill...no wonder the child was restless etc...this story was heart wrentching to say the least.
Linda
Maine

[yogadhar]

i know this is not the answer for every child, but for many cases that are not too extreme, parents should try homeopathy. it worked very well with my child, and it was inexpensive, fast and had no , repeat NO side effects. at this point , anyone who is interested can simply type "homeopathy" and their child''s disorder into a search engine to learn more, but of course you must find a qualified doctor to actually treat a child homeopathically... it is worth a try consdiering the huge downside of pharmacutical drugs.

[moo001318]

My heart goes out to Rebecca Riley and her family. Although the Rileys appeared to be heartbroken, confused and calm, the prosecutor in their case seemed to be oscillating and demonstrated head tics as he addressed the judge in the case. Maybe the prosecutor should see the psychiatrist that prescribed all those medications to Rebecca.

[sydney50]

We can blame the parents; we can blame the doctors; we could even blame the pharmacist, and maybe even the pharmaceutical companies. But if we''re seeing an epidemic of out of control behavior in children''s, maybe it''s time we take some responsibility and consider the role of bad nutrition, excess sugars, and environmental toxins as the cause of some of these behaviors. As a health care provider I have seen both adult and children''s behavior turn around radically when their diets became actually supportive of proper nutrition. If we really did have universal health care paid for by the taxpayer''s, then you would see the profit motive for illness disappear real quick, and see the government on down start championing good health habits. Til then, we''ll continue to be a sick nation, getting sicker every day..

[sydney50]

We can blame the parents; we can blame the doctors; we could even blame the pharmacist, and maybe even the pharmaceutical companies. But if we''re seeing an epidemic of out of control behavior in children''s, maybe it''s time we take some responsibility and consider the role of bad nutrition, excess sugars, and environmental toxins as the cause of some of these behaviors. As a health care provider I have seen both adult and children''s behavior turn around radically when their diets became actually supportive of proper nutrition. If we really did have universal health care paid for by the taxpayer''s, then you would see the profit motive for illness disappear real quick, and see the government on down start championing good health habits. Til then, we''ll continue to be a sick nation, getting sicker every day..

[sydney50]

We can blame the parents; we can blame the doctors; we could even blame the pharmacist, and maybe even the pharmaceutical companies. But if we''re seeing an epidemic of out of control behavior in children''s, maybe it''s time we take some responsibility and consider the role of bad nutrition, excess sugars, and environmental toxins as the cause of some of these behaviors. As a health care provider I have seen both adult and children''s behavior turn around radically when their diets became actually supportive of proper nutrition. If we really did have universal health care paid for by the taxpayer''s, then you would see the profit motive for illness disappear real quick, and see the government on down start championing good health habits. Til then, we''ll continue to be a sick nation, getting sicker every day..

[sarajayne1-2009]

This report had me so angry I was trembling in my chair. I think that the parents should be convicted for simple stupidity! Unless my daughter had been in tragic accident or was diagnosed with a life threating illness like cancer, there is no way in hell that I would blindly follow the instructions of the first psychiatrist that saw her. My daughter "Drives me crazy" every day of her life! I can''t see any rational parent administer a three year old 10 pills a day for ''not sleeping'' or ''being hyperactive''. This is insane to me!!!

On the same note. What kind of person, or establishment for that matter, can honestly say that writing prescriptions for cocktials of ''off label'' drugs for pre-
schoolers doesn''t make them lose sleep at night! Why hasn''t the government stepped in to investigate these monsters who call themselves psychiatrists and the sadistic administration that claims they are "professional." Give me a break! The child''s heart and lungs were DESTROYED. As medical professsionals these people have failed the very patients they vow to protect. They deserve to be prosecuted and not be allowed to treat our children as participants of thier expierements. I want to know if they would do this to their children?
OUTRAGE!!!!!!!!

[sydney50]

We can blame the parents; we can blame the doctors; we could even blame the pharmacist, and maybe even the pharmaceutical companies. But if we''re seeing an epidemic of out of control behavior in children''s, maybe it''s time we take some responsibility and consider the role of bad nutrition, excess sugars, and environmental toxins as the cause of some of these behaviors. As a health care provider I have seen both adult and children''s behavior turn around radically when their diets became actually supportive of proper nutrition. If we really did have universal health care paid for by the taxpayer''s, then you would see the profit motive for illness disappear real quick, and see the government on down start championing good health habits. Til then, we''ll continue to be a sick nation, getting sicker every day..

[bipolarmom]

As a mother of a bipolar adolescent, I was shocked to see doctors diagnosing and medicating young children. My daughter was 11 yrs old when her psychiatrist speculated that her extreme moods and behavior could be the emergence of bipolar. It was another year and two psychiatric hospitalizations before we would consider trying antiepiletics to treat her. The use of antipsychotics was not an option until she actually became psychotic and delusional.
My daughter is now 16 yrs old, we have gone through numerous psychiatrists, more than 12 psychiatic hospitaliations and two residential placements with another one coming in the very near future due to her violent rages against herself and our family.
Doctors are groping in the dark trying to treat a condition that is real and can be fatal to the children who suffer from it, as well as to the family members that are routinely assaulted and threatened during the rages.
Studying effective treatment for children with this disorder has been very slow in coming. Funding for children''s mental health programs have been repeatedly slashed to a bare trickle. Out of the funding that currently exists, most of the money has been appropriated and put to use for juveniles that are either in the detention programs or are in state custody.
Maybe you could report on this aspect and help all the children were accuately diagnosed?

[jenangel2006]

My dad called this evening and told me to watch 60 Minutes because they were going to be discussing treatment for children with bi-polar. Well come to my surprise, it was not about treatment but rather how treatment had gone bad with a child and the parents are now facing criminal charges.

This story was so disturbing to me for the simple fact that I knew my parents were watching and they were probably getting freaked out about that little girl dying from an overdose of psychiatric drugs.(Which is absolutley horrible and my heart goes out to that family). It''s just to bad that 60 minutes did not take the time to go over and include in their story, the positive effects that medication is having on children. I have been researching the illnesses since my son was diagnosed and I am shocked that a show with their ruputation and stature would tell only one side of an issue and leave their audience with only negative views about giving medication to these children. What has happend to OPTIMISM in this world? There is so many parents out there who have been dealing with this disorder that it''s inevitable we''ll be hearing about it more and more on T.V. and in the News. 60 Minutes had their chance to educate the world fully on this matter and failed miserably to do so. Shame on them. And May the truth be revealed. And to all you parents out there facing similar issues, Let''s stand firm in our beliefs for what is right for our children!

[loral19]

Wow!!! It is really sad when babies are being diagnosed with mental illness, BiPolar a name for kids expressing there emotions... Stay away from those money hungry doctors Mom and Dad...Don''t listen to the teachers and parents that can''t control there kids...If parents would just take the time to parent and pay attention to there children instead of letting the tv''s or computers be there babysitters these kids would be just fine...Lets think about why so many children and adults are fat or obese...everyone is on anti-depressants that make them that way...Why are suicides up, these drugs contribute to those too. Lets just not give out these drugs so freely, people you have know idea how these drugs are hurting your kids, these side effects could be permanently hurting your kids and your child had know say in the drugs that were prescribed to him/her...Lets just stop this craziness. I want to know why we Americans are so eager to believe that any of these pills really help...I think they make everything worse...I have a nephew on 3 meds., and 1 of them is clonidine, I''m scared to death for him...Lets keep talking about this topic Katie,and maybe this will be the last baby to die of a drug overdose.

[jenangel2006]

My dad called this evening and told me to watch 60 Minutes because they were going to be discussing treatment for children with bi-polar. Well come to my surprise, it was not about treatment but rather how treatment had gone bad with a child and the parents are now facing criminal charges.

This story was so disturbing to me for the simple fact that I knew my parents were watching and they were probably getting freaked out about that little girl dying from an overdose of psychiatric drugs.(Which is absolutley horrible and my heart goes out to that family). It''s just to bad that 60 minutes did not take the time to go over and include in their story, the positive effects that medication is having on children. I have been researching the illnesses since my son was diagnosed and I am shocked that a show with their ruputation and stature would tell only one side of an issue and leave their audience with only negative views about giving medication to these children. What has happend to OPTIMISM in this world? There is so many parents out there who have been dealing with this disorder that it''s inevitable we''ll be hearing about it more and more on T.V. and in the News. 60 Minutes had their chance to educate the world fully on this matter and failed miserably to do so. Shame on them. And May the truth be revealed. And to all you parents out there facing similar issues, Let''s stand firm in our beliefs for what is right for our children!

[jenangel2006]

My dad called this evening and told me to watch 60 Minutes because they were going to be discussing treatment for children with bi-polar. Well come to my surprise, it was not about treatment but rather how treatment had gone bad with a child and the parents are now facing criminal charges.

This story was so disturbing to me for the simple fact that I knew my parents were watching and they were probably getting freaked out about that little girl dying from an overdose of psychiatric drugs.(Which is absolutley horrible and my heart goes out to that family). It''s just to bad that 60 minutes did not take the time to go over and include in their story, the positive effects that medication is having on children. I have been researching the illnesses since my son was diagnosed and I am shocked that a show with their ruputation and stature would tell only one side of an issue and leave their audience with only negative views about giving medication to these children. What has happend to OPTIMISM in this world? There is so many parents out there who have been dealing with this disorder that it''s inevitable we''ll be hearing about it more and more on T.V. and in the News. 60 Minutes had their chance to educate the world fully on this matter and failed miserably to do so. Shame on them. And May the truth be revealed. And to all you parents out there facing similar issues, Let''s stand firm in our beliefs for what is right for our children!

[jenangel2006]

My dad called this evening and told me to watch 60 Minutes because they were going to be discussing treatment for children with bi-polar. Well come to my surprise, it was not about treatment but rather how treatment had gone bad with a child and the parents are now facing criminal charges.

This story was so disturbing to me for the simple fact that I knew my parents were watching and they were probably getting freaked out about that little girl dying from an overdose of psychiatric drugs.(Which is absolutley horrible and my heart goes out to that family). It''s just to bad that 60 minutes did not take the time to go over and include in their story, the positive effects that medication is having on children. I have been researching the illnesses since my son was diagnosed and I am shocked that a show with their ruputation and stature would tell only one side of an issue and leave their audience with only negative views about giving medication to these children. What has happend to OPTIMISM in this world? There is so many parents out there who have been dealing with this disorder that it''s inevitable we''ll be hearing about it more and more on T.V. and in the News. 60 Minutes had their chance to educate the world fully on this matter and failed miserably to do so. Shame on them. And May the truth be revealed. And to all you parents out there facing similar issues, Let''s stand firm in our beliefs for what is right for our children!

[bipolar1234]

As a parent of bipolar children, I can honestly say that the assistance and expertise of the members of Dr. Biederman''s department at MGH has only made a positive impact on our family and our children''s lives.

I believe the problem is that people do not always have access to the best medical care for themselves or their children. What happened in this situation is very sad, but is not what happens to children, if they are properly diagnosed and treated.

Prior to going to the psychopharmacology department at MGH, we visited several doctors who were less than helpful and not as knowledgeable as those at the nexus of medical research and practice.

I would suggest if you think your child needs help, be sure to go to someone who specializes in pediatric psychopharmacology, to help ensure they are treated with appropriate medications, at appropriate dosages, and are closely monitored. If you are lucky enough to get that combination, as we have been, then it makes all the difference.

[margospencer]

I quit watching the Today Show because I got tired of what I termed the "Parade of Pathetic People". I see Katie has brought the concept to 60 Minutes.

The real issue of this story is the health care system. You are pitting a group of people who have Doctor%u2019s in Psychiatry and are prescribing medications willy nilly and people who don%u2019t have the where withal to get their teeth fixed. Why was this child not monitored? Why don%u2019t you hold the health industry accountable?

Katie, if you want to be taken seriously you should hold interviews with people who have solutions to problems not those who are victims.