Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is an increasing challenge that many children are faced with today, resulting in approximately 8% of children in the US on medication for this disorder.

ADD/ADHD is not completely understood but there are some guidelines that have been examined as to the underlying mechanisms that may be the cause of the behavioral dysfunction.

Today, researchers view ADD/ADHD as a neurobiological disorder caused by a decrease in metabolism of catecholamine. Catecholamine is the brain chemical related to adrenalin (epinephrine) and noradrenaline (norephinephrine). Medication in the form of Ritalin (methylphenidate) is prescribed to children with the behavioral signs of ADD/ADHD because it is thought to promote an increase in metabolism of the catecholamines.

The caution when looking at a behavioral issue such as ADD/ADHD is that there are a myriad of disorders that can mimic ADD/ADHD. This may demonstrate why many of the children medicated for this behavioral issue do not show signs of change in behavior over long term. The other concern is that the medication is only designed to last for 2-3 hours and when it wears off the child will continue to display atypical and unruly behavior.