Weird Science!?!: Investigating Attention Deficit Disorder

My question is what is AD/HD? Why are so many children being diagnosed with it these days, and what could be the real cause of it? Also, how much do we really know about the effects of stimulant drugs on our children

I think these are really good questions and are in desperate need of answers. That being said, many of the same questions are still left open about schizophrenia, bio polar disorder, and many other psychological diseases.

My question is how can you vehemently deny that ADD/ADHD is not caused by a dieases, disorder or genetic cause? Just because we don't have the answers to refute it doesn't inherently mean that you are correct. If you want to say that ADD is not caused by this or that, you need actual data showing your conclusion, not lack of data.

I agree that the disorder is misdiagnosed/over diagnosed. especially in young children, many of whom would benefit from parental guidance. Yet over diagnosis is not a reason to believe that all reasons for the disorder are the same. Nor is drug company profit. It gives a reason to be skeptical but not enough to "prove" that ADD is not a disease or genetic problem. Also Ritalin is available in the generic form.

Studies do point toward neurotransmitter deficiencies (which is why nt reuptake inhibitors are shown to help in some cases) in both children and adult ADD.