How ADHD Is Diagnosed
To diagnose ADHD, psychiatrists follow the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fifth Edition (the DSM-5). These standards, based on the most recent psychology research, detail the numbers of symptoms needed to identify ADHD. Psychiatrists also take into account how long these symptoms have prevailed.
In general, children need to display at least six symptoms, while adults demonstrate at least five. Symptoms must prevail for at least six months. Remember that many mood disorders have overlapping signs, so this is easier said than done.
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