Chemical cosh

Chemical cosh is a term used primarily by the British. To "cosh" someone means to bang them on the head, resulting in the person being sedated or knocked unconscious. A chemical cosh, then, refers to sedating people with chemicals, or medications. The term is generally used to refer to the situation where sedation is unnecessary.

More specifically it refers to:

• the widespread dispensation of antipsychotic drugs in residential care to make dementia sufferers easier to manage.^[1]
• the use of ritalin to calm children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.^[2]

See also

• Antipsychotic controversy

References

1. ^ 'Chemical cosh' will be cut for dementia sufferers
2. ^ Fears over use of Ritalin on children