Disclaimer: Human Health is not recommending any specific medical treatment for any particular symptom, nor providing any other medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor regarding any medical concern.

ADHD, short for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is a condition that affects the brain and impacts thoughts, emotions, and behavior. It’s one of the most common developmental conditions, with the CDC reporting an estimated 7 million children diagnosed with ADHD in 2022.

Some of the characteristic symptoms of ADHD include feelings of restlessness or difficulty sitting still, difficulty maintaining focus for sustained periods of time, and difficulties with organizing and planning.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fifth Edition) contains clinical guidelines to help healthcare professionals accurately diagnose ADHD. Whilst the criteria are specific, it’s important to note that many people experience ADHD differently, and healthcare professionals are trained to take each patient’s individual experiences into consideration when making a diagnosis.

We’ve broken down the ADHD diagnostic criteria below, and included a visual summary at the end of this post.

Criterion A

There are two main classifications for ADHD: Inattentive type and Hyperactive/Impulsive type.

To meet the criteria for the inattentive type, the individual must exhibit or have experienced at least 6 of the following symptoms or characteristics:

• Has difficulty with attention to details, or makes careless mistakes often
  • For example: producing inaccurate schoolwork
• Often has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities
  • For example: has difficulty staying focused during conversation
• Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly
  • For example: appears as if they are thinking about something else rather than focusing on conversation
• Often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish tasks
  • For example: starts a new task in the middle of doing something else
• Often has difficulty organizing tasks and activities
  • For example: has trouble planning and completing work in time to meet deadlines
• Often avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort
  • For example: completing paperwork or homework
• Often loses things necessary for tasks or activities
  • For example: keys, wallet, or phone
• Is often easily distracted
  • For example: difficulty focusing when in presence of other people or noise
• Is often forgetful in daily activities
  • For example: paying bills, doing chores

To meet the criteria for the hyperactive/impulsive type, the individual must exhibit or have experienced at least 6 of the following symptoms or characteristics:

• Often fidgets or squirms in seat
  • For example: tapping feet or bouncing leg
• Often leaves seat in situations when remaining seated is expected
  • For example: leaves desk in the classroom or workplace often
• Often runs about or climbs in situations where it is inappropriate, or feels restless.
• Often unable to play or engage in leisure activities quietly
  • For example: difficulty engaging appropriately in quiet reading time
• Is often “on the go,” acting as if “driven by a motor”
  • For example: feeling as if they need to be moving or doing something constantly
• Often talks excessively
• Often blurts out an answer before a question has been completed
• Often has difficulty waiting his or her turn
  • For example: has difficulty waiting in line
• Often interrupts or intrudes on others
  • For example: using other people’s things without permission, joining conversations without invitation

Criterion B

The individual has been experiencing several symptoms prior to the age of 12.

Criterion C

The individual has been experiencing symptoms in at least 2 different settings. For example, both at school as well as at home, or at work as well as out with friends.

Criterion D

The individual’s symptoms are considerably affecting their ability to function in the workplace, in an academic setting, or socially.

Criterion E

The symptoms are not better explained by or only experienced during an episode of another psychiatric condition.

Specifiers

Specifiers are additional features that individuals with a certain condition may have, and the presence of these specifiers may help clarify the severity or other special features of their condition.

• Combined type ADHD may be diagnosed when the individual appears to be affected by an equal distribution of symptoms from both the inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive types. Click here to learn more about combined type ADHD.
• Predominantly inattentive or predominantly hyperactive type ADHD may be diagnosed if only 1 set of characteristics for Criteria A, either inattentive or hyperactive, is experienced for at least 6 months prior to diagnosis.
• Partial remission is specified when the individual previously met the full criteria, but did not meet the criteria for at least 6 months prior to diagnosis.
• Severity can be specified as mild, moderate, or severe:
  • Mild: Few symptoms in excess of minimum required to meet criteria, with minor functional impairment.
  • Moderate: Symptoms and functional impairment are between mild and severe levels.
  • Severe: Several symptoms in excess of minimum required to meet criteria, or several symptoms are particularly severe, or symptoms have a major impact on functioning.

We’ve created some short visual summaries for the main types of ADHD below.

Thinking about seeking a diagnosis?

Making the decision to seek a diagnosis for symptoms you’ve been struggling with can sometimes feel scary or overwhelming. Conditions like ADHD may also affect the ability to remember things, which can make things harder when it’s necessary to explain your experiences to a clinician.

To make sure you have all the information you need to provide your doctor with an accurate picture of your symptoms, you might like to use a health tracking app.

Human Health is a free mobile app that can help you keep a record of your symptoms and treatments, and provide your doctor with a comprehensive overview of your health journey, from your current concerns to how your symptoms have changed over time. Click here to download Human Health.

If you liked this article, or think you know someone who might benefit from reading it, please share it! We’d love for our resources to reach those who need them.

Resources

1. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fifth Edition). Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.
2. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Data and Statistics on ADHD.