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Diagnosing Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder© Valerie de Armas
Feb 16, 1999
You think you have ADHD, so you'll just go to the doctor and get a blood test or an x-ray or something, right? Well, no. Diagnosing ADHD can sometimes be difficult because there is no medical test that tells you that you definitely have ADHD.
The DSM IV, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition, states that to be diagnosed with ADHD you have to meet the following criteria:
A. Either (1) or (2)
(1) six (or more) of the following symptoms of inattention have persisted for at least 6 months to a degree that is maladaptive and inconsistent with developmental level:
(2) six (or more) of the following symptoms of hyperactivity-impusiivity have persisted for at least 6 months to a degree that is maladaptive and inconsistent with developmental level:
B. Some hyperactive-impulsive or inattentive symptoms that caused impairment were present before age 7 years.
C. Some impairment from the symptoms is present in two or more settings (e.g. at school [or work] and 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).
The definition of "inattention" according to the DSM-IV is:
a) often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities
(b) often has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities
(c) often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly
(d) often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace (not due to oppositional behavior or failure to understand instructions)
(e) often has difficulty organizing tasks and activities
(f) often avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort (such as schoolwork or homework)
(g) often loses things necessary for tasks or activities (e.g. toys, school assignments, pencils, books, or tools)
(h) is often easily distracted by extraneous stimuli
(i) is often forgetful in daily activities
and the definitions of "hyperactivity" and "impulsivity" are:
Hyperactivity
(a) often fidgets with hands and feet or squirms in seat
(b) often leaves seat in classroom or in other situations in which remaining seated is expected
(c) 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)
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