Psychologists name attention deficit disorders as the leading behavioral diagnosis for children.
Ritalin is the drug of choice for treating such disorders, despite growing concerns over its safety and overall effectiveness. By some observations, America s children are running on Ritalin. Since 1990, its use has increased well over 700 percent, according to a study by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Methylphenidate is a stimulant that was introduced in 1956 and is most commonly known by the brand name Ritalin. After 45 years of use and study, experts still are unsure exactly how it works.