DSM-5 Diagnostic Criteria for Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
1. Symptoms and/or behaviors that have persisted ≥ 6 months in ≥ 2 settings (e.g., school, home, church).
2. Symptoms have negatively impacted academic, social, and/or occupational functioning.
3. In patients aged < 17 years, ≥ 6 symptoms are necessary; in those aged ≥ 17 years, ≥ 5 symptoms are necessary.
4. Evidence that several symptoms were present before the age of 12 years.
(a) Inattentive Type Diagnosis Criteria
Displays poor listening skills • Loses and/or misplaces items needed to complete activities or tasks • Sidetracked by external or unimportant stimuli • Forgets daily activities • Diminished attention span • Lacks ability to complete schoolwork and other assignments or to follow instructions • Avoids or is disinclined to begin homework or activities requiring concentration • Fails to focus on details and/or makes thoughtless mistakes in schoolwork or assignments
(b) Hyperactive/ Impulsive Type Diagnosis Criteria
Hyperactive Symptoms:
Squirms when seated or fidgets with feet/hands • Marked restlessness that is difficult to control • Appears to be driven by “a motor” or is often “on the go” • Lacks ability to play and engage in leisure activities in a quiet manner • Incapable of staying seated in class • Overly talkative
Impulsive Symptoms:
Difficulty waiting turn • Interrupts or intrudes into conversations and activities of others • Impulsively blurts out answers before questions completed
Additional Requirements for Diagnosis
Symptoms not better accounted for by a different psychiatric disorder (e.g., mood disorder, anxiety disorder)
Symptoms do not occur exclusively during a psychotic disorder (e.g., schizophrenia)
Symptoms not exclusively a manifestation of oppositional behavior
Classification
Combined Type: Patient meets both inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive criteria for the past 6 months
Predominantly Inattentive Type: Patient meets inattentive criterion, but not hyperactive/impulse criterion, for the past 6 months
Predominantly Hyperactive/Impulsive Type: Patient meets hyperactive/impulse criterion, but not inattentive criterion, for the past 6 months
Symptoms may be classified as mild, moderate, or severe based on symptom severity
Source: DSM-5 Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition; ADHD: attention deficit hyperactivity disorder