Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA FOR ADHD

 1.  INATTENTION: Six or more of the following have persisted for 6 months to a degree that is maladaptive and inconsistent with developmental level:

  • Often fails to give close attention to details, makes careless mistakes
  • Often has difficulty sustaining attention
  • Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly
  • Often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork or chores (not due to oppositional behavior or failure to understand directions)
  • Often has difficulty organizing tasks and activities
  • Often avoids, dislikes or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort (such as schoolwork or homework)
  • Often loses things necessary for tasks or activities (e.g. Toys, school assignments, pencils, books, tools)
  • Is often easily distracted by extraneous stimuli
  • Is often forgetful in daily activities

 HYPERACTIVITY/IMPULSIVITY: Six or more of the following symptoms have persisted for at least 6 months to a degree that is maladaptive and inconsistent with developmental level:

Hyperactivity

  • Often fidgets with hands/feet or squirms in seat
  • Often leaves seat in classroom or in other situations in which remaining seated is expected
  • Often runs about or climbs excessively in situation in which it is inappropriate (in adolescents or adults, may be limited to subjective feelings of restlessness)
  • Often has difficulty playing or engaging in leisure activities quietly
  • Is often “on the go” or often acts as if “driven by a motor”
  • Often talks excessively

 Impulsivity

  • Often blurts out answers before questions are completed
  • Often has difficulty awaiting turn
  • Often interrupts or intrudes on others

B. Some hyperactive, Impulsive or Inattentive symptoms that caused impairment were present before 7 years of age.

C. Some impairment from the symptoms is present in two or more settings (IE at school or work and at home)

D. There must be clear evidence of clinically significant impairment in social, academic, or occupational functioning.

E.  The symptoms do not occur exclusively during the course of a pervasive developmental disorder, schizophrenia, or other psychotic disorder, and are not better accounted for by another mental disorder.  (Eg. Mood disorder, anxiety disorder, dissociative disorder, or personality disorder).

 Source Diagnostic and Statistical  Manual DSM IV