My oldest of 4 daughters is ADHD and Bi-polar. We went through a long period deciding to use the ritalin after seeking alternatives, ie, the Feingold diet.
THANK GOD we started her on it, as her life has dramatically improved.
I strongly suggest you go to someone who is trained to give a proper diagnosis through a series of tests and multiple visits.
Clearly it is overprescribed in the U.S. , but if your child can improve school and social wise, it will be well worth it to him and your relationship as a family.
All this was a non-issue when I was a child; it is hard to believe that a chronic, non-infectious disorder has sprung up so recently and become virtually endemic within schoolroom walls.