How is ADD Diagnosed? In the mental health fields of psychiatry and psychology, there are “official” criteria for the diagnosis of ADD. The 18 symptoms are broken into three parts—the Inattentive, Hyperactive and Impulsive symptoms, and these are below, simplified from the official diagnostic manual. The person, child or adult, can exhibit the following problems worse than others the same age:
Part A: Inattentiveness
1. Fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities
2. Has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks
3. Does not seem to listen to what is being said to him/her
4. Does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or workplace duties
5. Has difficulties organizing tasks and activities
6. Avoids or strongly dislikes tasks (such as schoolwork or homework) that require sustained mental effort
7. Loses things necessary for tasks or activities (e.g., school assignments, pencils, books, tools, or toys)
8. Is easily distracted by extraneous stimuli
9. Is forgetful in daily activities
Part B: Hyperactivity
10. Fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat
11. Leaves seat in classroom or in other situations in which remaining seated is expected
12. Often runs about or climbs excessively in situations where it is inappropriate. In adolescents or adults, may be limited to subjective feelings of restlessness
13. Has difficulty playing or engaging in leisure activities quietly
14. Often “on the go” or often acts as if “driven by a motor”
15. Often talks excessively
Part C: Impulsivity
16. Blurts out answers to questions before the questions have been completed
17. Has difficulty waiting in lines or awaiting turn in games or group situations
18. Often interrupts or intrudes on others
If you have 6 or more of the first nine symptoms, then you qualify for being the Inattentive type. If you have six or more of the second nine (10-18), then you qualify as the Hyperactive-Impulsive type. Having six or more symptoms of each of these groups, you are the combined type.
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How is ADD Diagnosed?