The medical world has seen many changes and advancements over the past century, but perhaps none are as lucrative as prescription drug industry. New drugs appear every day and claim to treat more and more pathologies. On the corner of every block is a pharmacy and its shelves are stocked with prescription medications and it seems like they are here to stay. The question is whether or not to take medication? More often than not, we turn to prescription medications for everything from acne to severe back pain. The condition known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is no different. ADHD is a behavioral disorder commonly diagnosed in school-aged children ages 5 to 17, approximately 8 to 10 percent of this population (Kidshealth.org), or 4.5 million children have already been diagnosed of ADHD (Bloom and Cohen, 2006). p.5). These children's brains work differently. Not allowing them to focus on tasks considered by most to be boring or routine. A person living with ADHD is characterized by chronic difficulties in any of the following areas: attention, impulsivity, and [hyper]activity (Addresources.org). They need enthusiasm to stay alert and they can't spend time prioritizing what they need to focus on. This can be very disruptive in a classroom and a child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder often gets into trouble at school and/or at home. If not recognized early, this child is now classified as a “troublemaker” and becomes a frustrated, underachieving child with low self-esteem. These adolescents have a higher rate of substance use and, as adults, may find themselves with a history of failed relationships and frequently underemployed or unemployed (Addresources.org). The diagnosis of this behavioral disorder is a...... middle of paper. ....dex.html.Kingsley, R. (September 2008). Children's health. In What is ADHD?. Accessed January 21, 2010, from http://kidshealth.org/parent/emotions/behavior/adhd.Mental Health in the United States: Prevalence of Diagnosis and Medication Treatment for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. (September 2003) MMWR Weekly MagazineThe MTA Cooperative Group (1999). A 14-month randomized clinical trial of treatment strategies for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Archives of general psychiatry, 56: 1073-1086. National Institute of Mental Health. (September 2009). Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. In MedlinePlus. Retrieved January 21, 2010 from http://.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/attentiondeficithyperactivitydisorder.html. Surgeon General of the United States (1999).. Department of Health and Human Services. Mental health: a report from the surgeon general