Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disease (ADHD) is a spectrum disorder; meaning that symptoms range across a wide continuum of severity. Therefore, symptom intensity must be identified for every individual who presents with possible ADHD. The symptoms identified below are based on DSM-IV criteria (American Psychiatric Association Diagnostic Manual); therefore, more restrictive than other sources which may be used to diagnose this problem.

Although there is a lot of research indicating that ADHD is a neurological disorder, diagnosis still falls in the purview of Psychology. The following is a practical summary of the DSM-IV criteria for Attention Deficit Disorder. You can find the actual criteria for "Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder" in the DSM-IV-TR manual. For a look at the criteria, click here.