DSM - IV CRITERIA FOR ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER

Go back to:  An Overview of ADHD

The DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition) contains the Diagnostic Criteria for the most common mental disorders including: description, diagnosis, treatment, and research findings.  Below is the Diagnostic Criteria for diagnosing Attention Deficit (Hyperactivity) Disorder:

A. Either (1) or (2)

1) Six or more of the following symptoms of inattention have persisted for at least six months to a degree that is maladaptive and inconsistent with the developmental level:

Inattention

often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities often has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace (not due to oppositional behaviour or failure of comprehension) 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 activites at school or at home (e.g. toys, pencils, books, assignments) is often easily distracted by extraneous stimuli if often forgetful in daily activities

2) Six or more of the following symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity have persisted for at least 6 months to a degree that is maladaptive and inconsistent with the developmental level:

Hyperactivity

often fidgets with hands or 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 situations 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 often talks excessively is often 'on the go' or often acts as if 'driven by a motor' Impulsivity often has difficulty awaiting turn in games or group situations often blurts out answers to questions before they have been completed often interrupts or intrudes on others, e.g. butts into other children's games

B. Some hyperactivity - impulsive or inattentive symptoms that cause impairment were present before the age of 7 years.

C. Some impairment from the symptoms is present in more than two or more settings (e.g. at school or work or 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 (e.g. Mood Disorder, Anxiety Disorder, Dissociative Disorder, or a Personality Disorder).

Based on these criteria, three types of ADHD are identified:

0. ADHD, Combined Type: if both criteria 1A and 1B are met for the past 6 months
0. ADHD, Predominantly Inattentive Type: if criterion 1A is met but criterion 1B is not met for the past six months
0. ADHD, Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type: if Criterion 1B is met but Criterion 1A is not met for the past six months.

The above information has been printed from the American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision. Washington, DC, American Psychiatric Association, 2000.

Go back to: An Overview of ADHD

LDAWE • 647 Ouellette Avenue, Suite 101 • Windsor, ON N9A 4J4 • Phone: (519) 252-7889 • Fax: (519) 252-4169 • Email: info@ldawe.ca