Shock and incredulity greeted a front-page New York Times article last week that nearly 1 in 5 American high school boys had attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

I can't say, on the basis of evidence, that NIH is misdirecting vast fortunes from where they could do the most good within our lifetimes. But I certainly do believe it. What I can say is that biomedical research dollars are subject to the same myopia that tends to dominate our personal lives.

The 5,000-word Times piece on the life and death by suicide of a young man, Richard Fee, addicted to Adderall (a form of prescription amphetamine), could represent a true thawing of what some feel has been a 20-year ADHD/Adderall Ice Age.

"Just like learning to play an instrument, or learning a new language, or developing a muscle, learning new habits of the mind requires continued practice."

There's certainly a place for these medications in the treatment of ADD. But I think we've done too good a job of "selling" ADD and Adderall as the answer to many teenagers who are in a normative struggle toward maturity.

I've never been against using medication in children. I am against a first and only use of medication in children who are minimally impaired. I believe first one must try to employ effective non-drug interventions of behavior modification and special education.

Gina Pera is the author of the award-winning book Is It You, Me, or Adult A.D.D.? She speaks internationally on adult ADHD and writes three blogs, including one devoted to relationships: "You and Me -- and Adult AD/HD."

Typically, when we first practice mindfulness, we find how really busy our mind is (and even more so for someone with ADHD). Successful practice is becoming fully aware of what is, and then using that awareness to choose where you place the most attention.

We who have ADHD need your help and understanding. We may make mess-piles wherever we go, but with your help, those mess-piles can be turned into realms of reason and art.

Melissa Orlov is a marriage consultant and one of the top experts in how ADHD affects relationships. "An evaluation is the gateway to a wide variety of resources that can help you improve your lives together."

Some of these children may actually have ADD, but in most cases the M.D.s are simply justifying to the child, parents, school and insurance company the use of these universal performance-enhancing medications.

Adult ADHD doesn't have to be a bad thing. When you manage it properly, you can use it to your advantage.

Ari Tuckman, Psy.D., MBA is a psychologist in private practice, specializing in diagnosing and treating children, teens, and adults with ADHD, anxiety, and depression.

For me, one way of thinking about children with ADD (adults deserve their own piece and the center deals with them too) is that they are more fiercely democratic than other kids who will easily adhere to strict rules and regulations with a passive attitude.