Abusing ADHD Drugs Can Prove Deadly - ADHD Drugs

Written by NIMH

Diagnostic Guidelines

According to the American Psychiatric Association, a diagnosis of ADHD must meet the following guidelines:

• The patient must often have:

  either six of these inattention symptoms:

  • does not pay close attention to details or makes careless mistakes
  • has difficulty sustaining attention in activities
  • does not seem to listen when spoken to directly
  • does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish duties Abusing ADHD Drugs Can Prove Deadly
  • has difficulty organizing tasks and activities
  • avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to do tasks requiring sustained mental effort
  • loses things necessary for tasks or activities
  • is easily distracted
  • is forgetful in daily activities

  or six of these hyperactivity or impulsiveness symptoms:

  • fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat
  • leaves seat in classroom or other times when remaining seated is expected
  • inappropriately runs about or climbs excessively or, in older patients, feels restless
  • has difficulty playing or taking part in leisure activities quietly
  • is "on the go" or acts as if "driven by a motor"
  • talks excessively
  • blurts out answers before questions have been completed
  • has difficulty awaiting turn
  • interrupts or intrudes on others, such as butting into conversations or games.
• Symptoms must continue six months and be more frequent and severe than normal.
• Evidence must show significant damage to social, academic or work functioning.
• Some damage must occur in at least two settings, such as home and school.
• Some damaging symptoms must have occurred before age 7, even with a later diagnosis.
• The symptoms must not be due to another disorder.

More Information

Attention Deficit Information Network
475 Hillside Ave., Needham, MA 02194
(617) 455-9895

Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorders
499 N.W. 70th Ave., Suite 101, Plantation, FL 33317
(1-800) 233-4050
World Wide Web: http://www.chadd.org/

National Attention Deficit Disorder Association
(1-800) 487-2282
World Wide Web: http://www.add.org/

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
(1-800) 352-9424
World Wide Web: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/

National Institute of Mental Health
Room 7C-02, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857
(301) 443-4513
World Wide Web: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/

FDA Consumer magazine (July-August 1997)

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