DSM-5-TR diagnostic criteria summary
F90.0 requires:
- At least 6 of 9 inattention symptoms (5 for adolescents 17+ and adults), persisting ≥6 months at a level inconsistent with developmental level: failing to attend to detail, difficulty sustaining attention, not listening when spoken to directly, not following through on instructions, organization difficulties, avoiding sustained mental effort, losing things, distractibility, forgetfulness.
- Hyperactivity-impulsivity criteria NOT met (fewer than 6 hyperactive-impulsive symptoms in past 6 months).
- Several symptoms present before age 12, supports the developmental nature of ADHD.
- Symptoms in two or more settings (work, home, school, social).
- Clear evidence of clinically significant impairment in social, academic, or occupational functioning.
- Not better explained by another mental disorder (mood, anxiety, dissociative, personality disorder, substance intoxication/withdrawal).
Source: American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR), p. 68–76.
Differential diagnosis
- F90.1 / F90.2, Hyperactive-Impulsive or Combined ADHD; differentiated by symptom cluster predominance.
- Major Depressive Disorder (F33, F32), concentration difficulty in depression mimics inattention; usually time-limited to depressive episodes.
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (F41.1), worry-driven distractibility; differential rests on whether attention deficits exist outside of anxious states.
- Bipolar Disorder (F31.x), manic/hypomanic episodes can mimic hyperactivity; episodic vs persistent course differentiates.
- Substance Use Disorders (F10–F19), particularly stimulant use disorder; chronologic relationship between substance use and symptom onset matters.
- Sleep disorders (sleep apnea, restless legs), chronic sleep deprivation produces ADHD-like inattention.
- Specific Learning Disorder (F81.x), domain-specific academic difficulties without pervasive attentional problems.
Common comorbidities
Adult ADHD has high lifetime comorbidity. Common co-occurring conditions: Major Depressive Disorder (F33, F32), Generalized Anxiety Disorder (F41.1), Substance Use Disorders (F10–F19, especially alcohol and cannabis), Specific Learning Disorder (F81.x), and Oppositional Defiant Disorder (F91.3) in pediatric presentations. Co-administer PHQ-9, GAD-7, and AUDIT alongside ASRS for comprehensive screening.
Sources
- American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR), F90.0, p. 68–76.
- Kessler, R. C., et al. (2007). Validity of the World Health Organization Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) Screener in a representative sample of health plan members. International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research, 16(2), 52–65.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. ICD-10-CM Official Coding Guidelines.