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)
- makes careless mistakes
- difficulty sustaining attention
- doesn’t seem to listen
- does not finish schoolwork, chores or duties
- difficulty organizing tasks and activities
- avoids tasks that require sustained mental effort
- easily distracted
- forgetful
and/or
B. HYPERACTIVITY/IMPULSIVITY- (must display 6 or more of the following)
- often fidgets with hands or feet – squirms in seat
- often “out of seat”
- often runs about or climbs excessively
- has difficulty playing quietly
- often “on the go” as if “driven by a motor”
- often talks excessively
- often blurts out answers
- often has difficulty waiting turn
- 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.