ADHD diagnosis requires at least how many inattentive or hyperactive-impulsivity symptoms?

ADHD diagnosis requires at least how many inattentive or hyperactive-impulsivity symptoms?

• A. At least 6
• B. At least 3
• C. At least 9
• D. At least 1

Answer: (A)

ADHD is diagnosed when there is a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that causes impairment, and the threshold is six or more symptoms total across the two domains for children. This means you don’t need six in each category; you need at least six symptoms in total, present for at least six months and inappropriate for development, with onset before age 12 and evidence in two or more settings. Note that in adults the threshold is five symptoms.

ADHD is diagnosed when there is a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that causes impairment, and the threshold is six or more symptoms total across the two domains for children. This means you don’t need six in each category; you need at least six symptoms in total, present for at least six months and inappropriate for development, with onset before age 12 and evidence in two or more settings. Note that in adults the threshold is five symptoms.