Yes, it's VERY hard to get unbiased information on psychotropic medication! You'll find that to be true here, too. Some people think that stimulants are a Godsend and are completely safe; others think that medicating children is criminal (or close to it). Personally, I think the truth lies somewhere in the middle. No medication is without risk. You have to weigh the cost and the benefits.

Last year, we finally started my 14yo on Strattera and Metadate (like Concerta - a longacting methylphenidate). He's a severe case, though. The medications have been useful in calming down his hyperactivity enough that the other kids no longer ostracise him so much. He no longer talks about being "weird" and that "it might be better to just die". He still struggles in school, though. We are having a bit of a problem with his heart rate being elevated which scares me (although his doctors don't seem concerned).

Truthfully, if my son was a "fairly mild case", I probably wouldn't start medication. But, that is STRICTLY my .02 cents worth!