Ephedra worked wonders and though it has been un-banned, people are scared to make it. It has similar effects as the ADHD drugs. As an adult with ADD, I do think such drugs are over prescribed in boys and under prescribed in girls. Since my diagnosis, I've met several women who were also diagnosed as adults. Because there are no obvious behavioral problems, certain traits that are misinterpreted as laziness, selective hearing, messiness or forgetfulness are ignored. On the other hand, every boy who "spazzes out" in class regularly for whatever reason (lack of exercise, too much sugar, boredom) gets drugged up.

I work with an ADHD clinic for kids, its sad how many parents are told by teachers "your child needs meds"before they're even dx. Its really difficult to get people (including some doctors)to understand meds isn't the only treatment.