Attention deficit disorder, in earlier times, was given a variety of names including: minimal brain dysfunction, minimal brain damage, hyperkinetic syndrome and hyperactive child syndrome. DSM III (1980), published by the American Psychiatric Association describes two subtypes of attention deficit disorder: attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity (ADD-H) and attention deficit disorder without hyperactivity (ADD). The child with ADD/ADD-H is described as one who shows signs of a short attention span, inability to concentrate and impulsivity. This impulsivity often causes the ADD/ADD-H child to act before thinking, which in turn leads to social friction, academic failure and self-esteem issues, which can lead to further problems such as suicide.

Attention deficit disorders can be treated in a number of ways: psychotherapy, family systems therapy, parent training, biofeedback and medication (both stimulant and anti-depressant) are some of the most widely used treatments. Proper diagnosis is important to the outcome of any of the above treatments. Whalen (1983) cautions against diagnosing children who are overactive, rambunctious and even a bit distractible as ADD/ADD-H as m

Family and behavior therapies are also widely studied treatments for ADD/ADD-H children and adolescents. Behavior therapy focuses more on the patient whereas family therapy involves the entire family as a means of alleviating and treating symptoms that accompany ADD/ADD-H.

In another study by Gastfriend, Biederman and Jellinek (1984), children with ADD/ADD-H were treated with Despiramine, an antidepressant. The twelve children involved in the study ranged from 12-17 years of age. Eleven of the 12 adolescents had previously received Ritalin as a form of treatment and had either experienced inadequate results or side effects such as insomnia, weight loss, loss of appetite, dry mouth or occasional tremors. Participants in this study were rated on the Clinical Global Impression (CGI) and the Parent-Teacher Rating scales and showed much improvement in attention level as well as lower levels of hyperactivity and impulsivity as a result of taking the Desipramine. Antidepressant medication also has side effects: drowsiness, dizziness, weight loss, decreased appetite, insomnia and racing thoughts. The advantage of antidepressant use is the single-dose administration, which would prevent the child from having to take medication while in school, as opposed to Ritalin which usually requires a morning and an early afternoon dose.

When researching attention deficit disorder, there are many conflicting ideas and bodies of evidence. Medication therapy has shown improvements in academic and social settings, but is often prescribed as the only solution to the problem. Additionally, simply using medication offers the child nothing to fall back on when medication can no longer be taken. Family and behavior modification therapies display short-term, but positive effects in the ADD/ADD-H child's behavior patterns and academic performance, but do not offer the biological treatment for an organic problem. A more comprehensive and long-term solution is needed and this is found in the combination of pharmacological and behavior modification and family therapies. When combining these therapies, the child's biological and chemical needs are met, coping strategies for all involved parties are learned, and a more long-term solution is offered for both the child and the parents.

Aside from the many side effects of both stimulant and antidepressant treatment, and the fact that many children do not like taking the medication, the largest problem with using pharma

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