When did we start to commodify emotions? Where does it end? The pharmaceutical industry has its hands in every aspect of mental health.  As an individual with an ADHD diagnosis and the mother of children with ADHD, I have lived head in the sand for years. 

            In 2021 I returned to school after a long hiatus to further my academics.  I had to choose what to focus my research on and I landed on ADHD.  This is an endeavour that I was very excited to take on because I was going to change the world until I realized I wasn’t, but I am not throwing in the towel just yet, I promise.

            It feels like every aspect of ADHD is connected to pharmaceuticals. The Diagnostic Statistical Manual (DSM-5), the Bible of diagnosis, comprises a panel of psychiatrists with connections to the pharmaceutical industry.  The advocacy support groups such as CHADD receive funding from the pharmaceutical industry, and the medical field educates teachers, often the first point of contact for referrals. Also connected to the pharmaceutical through the education and training provided.  Where does it end? Where does that leave us?

Like many, I am beginning to feel there is NO objective resource associated with ADHD, which is discouraging. This is something I hope to change; not sure how, but I am stubborn enough not to give up. I am fixated, so unlikely to walk away until the task is completed, regardless of how long it takes.

I feel like this is a fact I should have seen long ago, but I have since realized that I, like many are unaware of this toxic, self-serving relationship of big pharma.  I only became aware of this relationship through my research. Otherwise, I would have remained head in the sand and oblivious to the pharmaceutical industry’s manipulative, abusive relationship with every mental health aspect.

Reflecting on my life experience and my children’s, I should have seen this so much earlier. When my youngest child was in grade three, he was prescribed medication for his ADHD.  Over the Christmas holidays, he started the medication, enabling me to be home with him. The school was unaware because I wanted an accurate account of its impact.  He experiences some pretty nasty side effects; I stopped the medication.  The next day the school called to ask if he had been on medication. I explained that he had, but he would no longer be.  They demanded that he be put back on the medication regardless of the side effects. Otherwise, he would be recommended to be moved to a behaviour class.

Those who know my personality and what I am like regarding my kids can only imagine how that conversation ended. He did not take the medication or any other medication until grade 9. He also did not get moved to a behaviour class because he is not a behaviour child. 

The talons of the pharmaceutical industry are embedded deep in mental health. There is a need for the education system to stop trying to put all kids in a box with the expectation that all students learn the same.  We need to celebrate differences and let people be individuals. Let’s be honest neurotypical is boring…in my opinion.