(Newcomer...)
As to why people try to rely on a magic pill that will make our kids "normal"...
Typically it's because we're so desperate, that we'll try anything! Obviously, we should NEVER go above and beyond what the doctors order, but sometimes that in itself can be too much!
Example, my daughter has definitely been testing the limits today. She's been in complete mania all day, with no crashes, so to speak. Whereas we would normally 'only' give her perphenazine once/day in the morning, we had to give her an extra two tonight, just to calm her down enough to get her in the bed. Here it is, 2 a.m., and she's still awake, and now she's asking for food.
PLEASE don't think I'm trying to say that over-medicating is a good thing. Our prescription states 1-2 up to three times / day. We just hate giving her a single bit more than necessary. My response is solely on why we TRY to rely on meds to make our child more normal. I can understand that feeling, because our daughter is so out of control. If I could somehow take her place and give her a more regulated life, I would do so in a moment. As much as we've TRIED to do, it hasn't been enough, and she suffers, at only 9 years old.