Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) as added to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) by The American Psychological Association (APA) in its 1980 edition. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10), has since then strived towards further developing the criteria used to diagnose children and adults for ADD/ADHD.

DSM-IV Criteria:
I. Either A or B:
A. Six or more of the following symptoms of inattention have been present for at least 6 months to a point that is disruptive and inappropriate for developmental level:
1. Often does not give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities.
2 Often has trouble keeping attention on tasks or play activities.
3. Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly.
4. Often does not follow instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace (not due to oppositional behavior or failure to understand instructions).
5. Often has trouble organizing activities.
6. Often avoids, dislikes, or doesn’t want to do things that take a lot of mental effort for a long period of time (such as schoolwork or homework).
7. Often loses things needed for tasks and activities (e.g. toys, school assignments, pencils, books, or tools).
8. Is often easily distracted.
9. Often forgetful in daily activities.
B. Six or more of the following symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity have been present for at least 6 months to an extent that is disruptive and inappropriate for developmental level:
Hyperactivity:
1. Often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat.
2. Often gets up from seat when remaining in seat is expected.
3. Often runs about or climbs when and where it is not appropriate (adolescents or adults may feel very restless).
4. Often has trouble playing or enjoying leisure activities quietly.
5. Is often “on the go” or often acts as if “driven by a motor”.
6. Often talks excessively.
Impulsiveness:
1. Often blurts out answers before questions have been finished.
2. Often has trouble waiting one’s turn.
3. Often interrupts or intrudes on others.
II. Some symptoms that cause impairment were present before age 7 years.
III. Some impairment from the symptoms is present in two or more settings (e.g. at school/work and at home).
IV. There must be clear evidence of significant impairment in social, school, or work functioning.
V. The symptoms do not happen only during the course of a Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Schizophrenia, or other Psychotic Disorder. The symptoms are not better accounted for by another mental disorder (e.g. Mood Disorder, Anxiety Disorder, Dissociative Disorder, or a Personality Disorder).

Although the criteria listed is accepted as fact proven by research findings, it cannot be denies that is still very subjective. It can be misinterpreted even if there is display of symptom.

Today, the testing method used to identify ADD/ADHD still lacks validity.

Why is this so?
Criteria for identifying ADD/ADHD came about during the time when society saw the need to curb poor behavior among school children. They needed to be able to justify that this wan not just behavioral issues but a medical situation that requires medical attention. With that, education professionals can be assured that this is their maximum tolerance and it is something beyond their expertise. Simply put, ADD/ADHA has since then became the explanation for deviant behavior among children and inability to focus in adults.

ADD/ADHD is a real disorder nonetheless. Just because there have been many instances of ADD/ADHD wrongly diagnosed, it does not mean that the disorder could possibly not exist at all. It is just that most of the time, prescribed drugs are not the answer for this disorder.

As an argument against the ability of DSM criteria to predict or accurately diagnose ADD/ADHD, criteria IA, IB, II, III, and IV are completely subjective. In order to meet the criteria present in I-IV, all it takes are the subjective observations of a teacher, caretaker, parent, or physician. The requirements of criteria V are even more interesting.

Even though quite an objective criteria, criteria V still fail to accurately diagnose ADD/ADHD. This could be attributed to the followings:
1. ”Tests” are rarely carried out on individuals are they are often diagnosis based solely on observations.
2. Criteria V requires that an individual not present with symptoms of ADD/ADHD as part of another, diagnosable, disorder. Most people are never tested for the presence of another disorder. They may be tested for ADD/ADHD, but this is not the same as ruling out other disorders.
3. Once an individual displays symptoms of ADD/ADHD, they are usually diagnosed and medicated on a trial and error basis. It still is impossible to confirm ADD/ADHD if symptoms dies down after being treated with prescribed medication.

The reality is that ADD/ADHD cannot be definitively diagnosed using DSM criteria and the administration of medication is not a viable method of diagnosis.

Schizophrenia, dyslexia, and Tourette’s disorders have fair share of diagnosis issues such as the one clouding ADD/ADHD.