Symptoms used to diagnose
The rule6+ symptoms (5+ for 17 and over) of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity for 6 months, several present before age 12, in 2 or more settings.
Core symptoms
- Inattention
- Hyperactivity-impulsivity
Other symptoms
- Careless mistakes, missing details
- Hard to sustain attention
- Seems not to listen
- Doesn't finish tasks
- Struggles with organisation
- Avoids sustained mental effort
- Loses things
- Easily distracted
- Forgetful
- Fidgets, restless
- Leaves seat, can't stay still
- Talks excessively
- Blurts out answers
- Hard to wait turn
- Interrupts others
How diagnosis works
- Persistent inattention and/or hyperactivity–impulsivity. Children need 6+ symptoms in a domain; adults (17+) need 5+.
- Several symptoms present before age 12, in two or more settings (e.g. home and work).
- Presentations: predominantly inattentive, predominantly hyperactive-impulsive, or combined.
- Diagnosis is made by a specialist through history, rating scales and, ideally, input from others who know you.
A diagnosis is made by a qualified clinician after a full assessment — this summary is to help you understand it, not to self-diagnose.
Commonly used medications
Therapies & support
- ADHD coaching
- CBT adapted for ADHD
- Parent training (children)
- Workplace and education adjustments
Good to know
- Often co-occurs with autism, anxiety, depression and dyslexia.
- Many women and girls are diagnosed late because symptoms can be more inattentive.
Sources
- 01Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR)
American Psychiatric Association, 2022
- 02ICD-11 for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics — Chapter 6: Mental, behavioural or neurodevelopmental disorders
World Health Organization, 2022
- 03Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: diagnosis and management (NG87)
NICE Guideline, 2018
- 04The Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines
Horowitz & Taylor, Wiley-Blackwell, 2024