Post #2: How is ADHD Diagnosed?

Published on: December 17, 2024

All clinicians use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders or the DSM to diagnose all mental health conditions. As of 2024 they are currently on the DSM-5 TR edition. This manual lays out the criteria that make up a diagnosis of ADHD.

Definition from the DSM: “The essential feature of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development. Inattention manifests behaviorally in ADHD as wandering off task, failing to follow through on instructions or finishing work or chores, having difficulty sustaining focus, and being disorganized and is not attributable to defiance or lack of comprehension. Hyperactivity refers to excessive motor activity when it is not appropriate, or restlessness or wearing others out with their activity. Impulsivity refers to hasty actions that occur in the moment without forethought, which may have potential for harm to the individual. Impulsivity may reflect a desire for immediate rewards or an inability to delay gratification. Impulsive behaviors may manifest as social intrusiveness (eg., interrupting others excessively) and/or as making important decisions without consideration of long-term consequences (eg., taking a job without adequate information).” 4

The Three Types of ADHD

Inattentive

Examples of Inattention:1

Missing strict deadlines
Late for school, work, or appointments
Loses important documents or daily use items
Works or lives in a disorganized space
Socializing is difficult as it is hard to focus on what others are saying
Short attention span, especially for non-preferred tasks2
Poor time management 2
Time blindness 2
Avoidance of tasks that seem overwhelming

Hyperactive/ Impulsive

Examples of Hyperactivity:

Fidgeting or restlessness2
Swiveling chair repeatedly
Needing to walk in order to listen to someone talking or when talking on the phone
Talking fast and/or excessively
Having trouble to not butt into conversations or wait your turn
Always having something in your hand that you fiddle with (pen, phone, etc)

Examples of Impulsivity:

Making rash financial decisions or not feeling in control of finances
Jumping on trends but letting them go after a little while
Calling out answers before the question is complete3
Speaking out of turn3
Engaging in unsafe behavior3
Reduced emotion regulation3
Succumbing to impulses3

Combined Presentation

Meaning that both inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive symptoms are present

Citation:

1- Cleveland Clinic. (2024). Inattentive ADHD. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15253-inattentive-adhd

2- ADDitude Editors. (2019). ADHD Symptoms & Signs of Hyperactive, Inattentive, Combined Subtypes. Additude.https://www.additudemag.com/adhd-symptoms-checklist/

3- Lovering, N. (2023). Understanding Impulsivity in Adults and Children with ADHD. Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/adhd-impulsivity#common-behaviors

4 - American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed., text rev.). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425787

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