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.

See also How Is ADHD Identified and Diagnosed?

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)

next: Symptoms of ADHD