A critical attitude, meaning a desire to see beyond the hype and critical analysis, the ability to discern actual from manufactured evidence, takes on even greater weight when it comes to children and adolescents. Children count on adults for guidance and protection. At the same time, they deserve to have a say in the direction of their lives and what they do to their bodies. Their capacity to make the best decision may still be maturing, but their voices need to be heard. In addition, given that teens and children are still developing both physically and emotionally, psychiatric drugs stand to impact the course of their lives in significant ways. Bottom line, a lot is at stake when considering whether anyone under age 18 should begin a psychiatric drug regimen.