Diagnostic Criteria for ADD/ADHD

The following is a summary of the criteria in DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) and describes what doctors look for when diagnosing ADD or ADHD.

A. INATTENTION ( the individual must display 6 or more of these characteristics)

1. makes careless mistakes
2. difficulty sustaining attention
3. doesn’t seem to listen
4. does not finish schoolwork, chores or duties
5. difficulty organizing tasks and activities
6. avoids tasks that require sustained mental effort
7. easily distracted
8. forgetful

and/or

B. HYPERACTIVITY/IMPULSIVITY- (must display 6 or more of the following)

1. often fidgets with hands or feet – squirms in seat
2. often “out of seat”
3. often runs about or climbs excessively
4. has difficulty playing quietly
5. often “on the go” as if “driven by a motor”
6. often talks excessively
7. often blurts out answers
8. often has difficulty waiting turn
9. often interrupts or intrudes on others

C. SYMPTOMS PRESENT BEFORE AGE OF 7

D. SYMPTOMS PRESENT IN 2 OR MORE SETTINGS (SCHOOL, HOME,WORK)

E. CLEAR EVIDENCE OF SIGNIFICANT IMPAIRMENT IN SOCIAL, ACADEMIC OR             OCCUPATIONAL FUNCTIONING

F. SYMPTOMS ARE NOT BETTER ACCOUNTED FOR BY ANOTHER MENTAL DISORDER

A diagnosis of ADD/ADHD can only be made by a medical doctor or a psychologist.

What distinguishes ADD/ADHD is the number of behaviours, their intensity and duration.

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