In high school, I volunteered at John Umstead Hospital (one of the state's psychiatric hospitals in Butner, NC) and I saw firsthand how medication and various forms of therapy helped patients improve and lead healthier, happier lives.  Because of this experience and as the daughter of a psychiatrist, I'm a firm believer in the benefits of psychiatric medication.  However, I don't believe that medication should always be the first or permanent solution to a behavioral problem, as it has been in the increasing trend in ADD/ADHD treatment.
    General pediatricians and some lazy psychiatrists have been "fixing" the problem of ADD/ADHD  with only medication and haven't been addressing the route causes of ADD/ADHD behaviors.  Many teachers also impress on parents that their child should be tested for the disorders if the child is making poor grades or behaving badly in class.  This bothers me because many adults just assume a child's problems come from a chemical imbalance and they don't care to look into environmental influences.  For instance, poor stability in a child's home can contribute to ADD/ADHD symptoms.  Lack of sleep, lack of parental discipline, and lack of exercise can lead to a child's restlessness and distraction.  These are problems that can be solved by routine changes or therapy.  I don't think prescribing ADD/ADHD medicine to a child who doesn't necessarily need it is detrimental to their overall health, but I do think it ends up hindering long-term progress and improvement.  Medicine can really make a great improvement in behavior, but it can only go so far without therapy.  Therefore, I think professionals, especially elementary school teachers, should be better trained in how to address and correct behavioral problems (outbursts, talking, excessive movement).  Children are full of energy and only need the proper outlet for it and good structure.

http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2011/10/05/calming-your-childs-adhd-symptoms/