Criteria
Summary of DSM-IV TR criteria for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (all criteria from A to E must be met)
A: Six or more symptoms of either Inattention or Hyperactivity-impulsivity present for at least six months to a degree that is maladaptive and inconsistent with developmental level.
Inattention
Often:
- Fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work or other activities
- Has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities
- Does not seem to listen when spoken to directly
- Does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores or duties in the workplace
- Has difficulty organising tasks and activities
- Avoids, dislikes or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort
- Loses things necessary for tasks or activities
- Easily distracted by extraneous stimuli
- Forgetful in daily activities
Hyperactivity
Often:
- Fidgets with hands, feet or squirms in seat
- Leaves seat in classroom or other situations in which remaining seated is expected
- Runs about or climbs excessively in situations in which it is inappropriate (in adolescents or adults, may be limited to subjective feelings of restlessness)
- Has difficulty playing or engaging in leisure activities quietly
- "On the go" or acts as if "driven by a motor"
- Talks excessively
Impulsivity
Often:
- Blurts out answers before questions completed
- Has difficulty awaiting turn
- Interrupts or intrudes on others
B: Some symptoms causing impairment were present before 7 years of age.
C: Some impairment is present in two or more settings.
D: Evidence of clinically significant impairment in social, academic or occupational functioning.
E: Symptoms do not occur exclusively during the course of a Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Schizophrenia, or other Psychotic Disorder and we are not better accounted for by another mental disorder.
ADHD symptoms in adults may present in different ways and very often adults with ADHD experience high levels of disorganisation across work and life circumstances, which they may not initially identify as a manifestation of the disorder.
The diagnosis of ADHD in an adult may be first raised when one of their own children is diagnosed with the disorder. Alternatively, as ADHD adults experience high rates of other mental disorders, ADHD may be considered when seeking help for another disorder. Recent increased awareness that adults can be affected with ADHD has assisted many individuals to initiate assessment for themselves, their partner or family member.
Based on: American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, 4th edition text revision. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association, 2000.
These criteria are designed for school-age children with regard to the number of symptoms required to meet the diagnostic threshold (ie, six of the nine symptoms for inattention and/or hyperactivity–impulsivity), which may not be the case for adults with ADHD.