in Koch par.28). In fact, the only reason ADHD is labeled as a disease is because "[i]n 1987 [it] was literally voted into existence by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and enshrined in DSM-III-Rm" (Citizens 9). Psychiatrists feel that there are similar symptoms amongst distractible kids therefore there must be a disease. However there is no physical proof of something actually being wrong. "The DSM [Diagnostic and Statistical Manuel] is converting nearly all lifes stresses and bad habits into mental disorders." (Citizen 11). Other disorders put in the DSM and the ICD-10 (Classification of Mental and Behavioral Disorders) are the Disorder of Written Expression, Caffeine related disorder, and Abuse of Herbal or Folk Remedies. According to these examples, they could also add the Disorder of Excessive TV or the Disorder of Talking with your mouth full. These too create problems and have detectable symptoms, but they are not diseases or mental disorders. ADD and ADHD are simply behavioral problems caused by non-biological sources and they shouldnt be labeled diseases. .
Since ADD/ADHD are not real, Ritalin should not be prescribed. However, Ritalin use is on the rise, but the causes for them are not as legitimate as some psychiatrists think. In response to the statistical rise in Ritalin use, Russell Barkley, director of psychology at the University Medical Center and the author of a classic handbook on ADD, said " Just because you have an increase in [the] use of a medication and an increase in diagnosis does not mean that anything evil or nefarious is going on. Rather, the statistics show we are doing a better job " (qtd. in Koch par. 60). However, contrary to Barkley, the rise in Ritalin prescription is not due to the better job of the people in his field. There are many twisted causes behind this. According to the American Medical Association's council on Scientific Affairs, "ADHD and ADD are being diagnosed more often now because the diagnostic criteria were broadened in 1994 to include both hyperactive and inattentive types of conditions" (Koch par.