Symptoms of ADHD

The majority of Australian physicians base their diagnosis of ADHD on the criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) of the American Psychiatrists' Association (1994). These criteria are listed under three core symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. DSM-IV specifies three subtypes of ADHD, namely ADHD Predominantly Inattentive Type, ADHD Predominantly Hyperactive/Impulsive Type, and ADHD Combined Type.

ADHD Predominantly Inattentive type is defined by an individual experiencing at least six of the following characteristics:

1. Often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities.
2. Often has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities
3. Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly
4. Often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace (not due to oppositional behaviour or failure to understand instructions)
5. Often has difficulty organising tasks or activities
6. Often avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort (such as schoolwork or homework)
7. Often loses things necessary for tasks or activities (e.g., toys, school assignments, pencils, books, or tools)
8. Is often easily distracted by extraneous stimuli
9. Is often forgetful in daily activities

ADHD Predominantly Hyperactive/Impulsive Subtype is defined by an individual experiencing six of the following characteristics:

1. Often fidgets with hands or squirms in seat
2. Often leaves seat in classroom or in other situations in which remaining seated is expected
3. 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)
4. Often has difficulty playing or engaging in leisure activities quietly
5. Is often "on the go" or often acts as if "driven by a motor"
6. Often talks excessively
7. Often blurts out answers before questions have been completed
8. Often has difficulty awaiting turnOften interrupts or intrudes on others (e.g., butts into conversations or games)

ADHD Combined Subtype is defined by an individual meeting six of the attention and six of the hyperactive/impulsive characteristics.

A diagnosis of ADHD also requires that:

1. Some symptoms that caused impairment need to be present before age 7 years.
2. Some impairment from the symptoms is present in two or more settings (e.g., at school [or work] and at home).
3. There must be clear evidence of clinically significant impairment in social, academic, or occupational functioning.
4. Other conditions need to be ruled out, such as Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Schizophrenia, or other Psychotic Disorder Mood Disorder, Anxiety Disorder, Dissociative Disorder, or a Personality Disorder.