Deciding whether someone has Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a multi-step process. It’s important to know that there isn’t one single test for an ADHD diagnosis. Many conditions can mimic ADHD symptoms, including sleep disorders, anxiety, depression, and certain learning disabilities. This is why a comprehensive evaluation is crucial.
When to Seek Professional Help for an ADHD Diagnosis
If you’re concerned that you or someone you know might have ADHD, the crucial first step is to consult a healthcare provider. They can determine if the observed symptoms align with an ADHD diagnosis. This diagnosis can be officially made by a qualified mental health professional, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist, or by a primary care provider like a pediatrician or family doctor.
The ADHD Diagnosis Process for Children
For children, healthcare providers will first rule out any other conditions that might better explain the symptoms or conditions that frequently co-occur with ADHD. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines recommend that healthcare providers gather information about the child’s behavior from multiple sources. This includes parents, teachers, and other adults involved in the child’s life, to understand behavior across different settings like home, school, and social situations. You can find more detailed recommendations on the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD in children and adolescents here.
Further Reading: Explore the connection between Family Health History, ADHD, and Learning Disorders for a deeper understanding.
ADHD Diagnosis in Adults: Recognizing Different Symptoms
ADHD often persists into adulthood, although symptom presentation can change with age. For instance, hyperactivity in adults might manifest as extreme restlessness or an inability to relax, rather than the outward physical hyperactivity seen in children. To learn more about how ADHD presents across the lifespan, especially in adults, resources are available here.
For comprehensive information on ADHD diagnosis and treatment across all ages, please refer to the National Resource Center on ADHD and the National Institute of Mental Health. These organizations offer valuable support and information.
Understanding DSM-5 Criteria for ADHD
Healthcare professionals rely on the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5) 2 as a guide for diagnosing ADHD. These established guidelines ensure accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment for individuals with ADHD. Using a standardized diagnostic framework also aids in gathering reliable data on ADHD prevalence and its public health impact across different populations.
Symptom Thresholds by Age Group
The DSM-5 outlines specific criteria regarding the number of symptoms needed for an ADHD diagnosis, based on age:
- For children up to 16 years old: Six or more symptoms of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity are required.
- For adolescents 17 years and older and adults: Five or more symptoms of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity are needed.
It’s important to note that these symptoms must represent a persistent pattern of inattentionA and/or hyperactivityB–impulsivityC that significantly interferes with daily functioning or development.
Detailed Look at DSM-5 ADHD Criteria
The following are the DSM-5 criteria for ADHD diagnosis, presented in a simplified format for informational purposes. Only qualified healthcare providers can officially diagnose and manage ADHD.
Inattention Symptoms
Symptoms
NOTE: Inattention symptoms must have been present for at least 6 months and be inappropriate for the individual’s developmental stage.
- Frequently overlooks details or makes careless errors in schoolwork, work, or other activities.
- Struggles to sustain attention in tasks or play activities.
- Often appears not to listen when spoken to directly.
- Fails to follow through on instructions and does not complete schoolwork, chores, or workplace duties (loses focus, easily sidetracked).
- Has difficulty organizing tasks and activities.
- Avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to engage in tasks requiring sustained mental effort (like schoolwork or homework).
- Loses essential items for tasks or activities (e.g., school supplies, tools, keys, wallets, phones).
- Is easily distracted by extraneous stimuli.
- Is often forgetful in daily routines.
Hyperactivity-Impulsivity Symptoms
Symptoms
NOTE: Hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms must have been present for at least 6 months and be inappropriate for the individual’s developmental stage.
- Fidgets or taps hands or feet, or squirms in their seat.
- Leaves seat in situations where remaining seated is expected.
- Runs about or climbs excessively in inappropriate situations (restlessness in adolescents and adults).
- Unable to engage in leisure activities or play quietly.
- Is often “on the go,” acting as if “driven by a motor.”
- Talks excessively.
- blurts out answers before questions have been completed.
- Has difficulty waiting their turn.
- Interrupts or intrudes on others (e.g., conversations or games).
Additional Conditions for ADHD Diagnosis
Beyond the symptom lists, the DSM-5 requires these additional conditions to be met for an ADHD diagnosis:
- Several inattentive or hyperactive-impulsive symptoms were present before the age of 12.
- Symptoms are present in two or more settings (e.g., home, school, work, with friends, relatives, in other activities).
- There is clear evidence that symptoms impair or reduce the quality of social, academic, or occupational functioning.
- Symptoms are not better explained by another mental disorder (such as mood disorders, anxiety disorders, dissociative disorders, or personality disorders) and do not occur exclusively during schizophrenia or another psychotic disorder.
For more detailed information on diagnosis and treatment throughout life, please visit the National Resource Center on ADHD and the National Institute of Mental Health websites.
Resources
- ADHD Treatment Options
