Process against child psychiatrists: shocking allegations revealed!

Process against child psychiatrists: shocking allegations revealed!

On February 12, 2025, the trial against child psychiatrist Michael Winterhoff began before the Bonn district court. In a total of 36 cases, dangerous bodily harm is charged. The indictment refers to deeds that are said to have been committed between 2004 and 2021 and is based on a WDR documentary that encouraged many affected people to report. Winterhoff worked in Rhineland-Palatinate until his indictment, including in several homes in the district of Ahrweiler and Westerwald.

The public prosecutor accuses Winterhoff in many cases prescribing psychotropic drugs that have a sedative effect and can cause the serious side effects, some of them without medical diagnosis. The children should have made these medication compliant to make them more easily accessible to the authoritarian educational methods that Winterhoff is supposed to have recommended to the legal guardians. Sacrificial lawyers report that those affected still suffer from serious side effects.

allegations and their background

Michael Winterhoff often worked with youth welfare institutions and made diagnoses that are not scientifically recognized, such as the "early childhood narcissism". These diagnoses often led to the recommendation of accommodation in children's homes, with which Winterhoff cooperated. According to reports, the psychiatrist worked in up to 30 foster families and institutions in several federal states.

former patients report massive side effects of the medication. A 17-year-old patient named Lara received Pipamperon, one of Winterhoff's frequently prescribed medication at the age of seven. Her mother was not informed about taking the intake and possible side effects. Lara describes her experiences as an emotional loss and feels severely impaired by medication in its development.

research and legal investigations

The public prosecutor has investigated for years and searched 15 children's aid institutions in North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate and Lower Saxony. Patient files and other evidence were ensured. Winterhoff himself vehemently denies the allegations and claims that they have only acted if necessary. He also argues that there is no evidence of damage from his treatment.

The indictment also states that the medication that Winterhoff prescribed was regarded as part of comprehensive treatment. However, this reasoning is assessed by many as unsustainable. In addition, the process should take around 40 days by the end of July 2025, with a possible judgment towards the end of the month.

medication and social classification

The discussion about the use of psychotropic drugs in children and adolescents is not new. According to the child and youth health survey, there is an increase in mental disorders in childhood and adolescence, which means that more and more treatments are required. In particular, the prescription of antipsychotics has increased, even if only a few of these drugs are approved for this age group.

Winterhoff's case throws a bright light on the circumstances of drug treatment of children. Dealing with mental disorders and the treatment methods used are still a hotly controversial topic that requires a critical argument. The three-part documentary series "The child psychiatrist-the power of Dr. Winterhoff", which is available in the ARD media library from today, will continue to take up this topic and could help to collect other affected ones.