ADHD Definitions

Evolution of the Diagnosis of ADHD

How the DSM-5 manual got updated: Symptoms rules, age requirement changes, severity levels...

Updates to the ADHD Diagnosis in the DSM

This section outlines revisions to the ADHD diagnosis as detailed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM). While the DSM continues to classify ADHD as a disorder, it’s critical to acknowledge that terminology shapes perception.

For instance, some describe ADHD as an "impairment"—focusing on challenges in traditional settings. Others frame it as a "difference," "variation," or "condition"—emphasizing neurodiversity and unique strengths.

These contrasting perspectives reflect evolving understandings of ADHD and underscore the power of language in diagnosis and acceptance. For deeper insights into neurodivergent terminology, visit the Neurodivergent Labels page.

Source: PMC Article on ADHD and the DSM

Here’s a breakdown of the key updates to how ADHD is diagnosed in the DSM-5, explained in simpler terms.

Overall Changes:

ADHD categories are now called "presentations" instead of "types" to reflect that symptoms can change over time.
New descriptors were added to indicate the severity of ADHD: mild, moderate, or severe.
ADHD can now be labeled as "in partial remission" if symptoms have improved but still exist.

Changes to Symptom Rules:

Core ADHD symptoms stayed the same, but more examples were added to show how symptoms appear in teens and adults.
Teens and adults now need only five symptoms (instead of six) to qualify for a diagnosis.

Changes continued...

Age Requirement Changes:

Symptoms no longer need to appear before age 7; the new cutoff is before age 12.

How ADHD is Evaluated:

Symptoms need to occur in at least two settings, such as home and school.
A diagnosis no longer requires significant impairment; it only has to reduce the quality of functioning.
ADHD can now be diagnosed even if someone has Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Severity Levels and Partial Remission Added:

Doctors can now describe ADHD as mild, moderate, or severe.
If someone doesn’t fully meet the criteria but still has symptoms, it can be noted as "in partial remission."

These changes make the ADHD diagnosis more flexible, especially for older teens and adults, while still keeping the main symptoms and criteria consistent. It also makes it easier to account for how ADHD symptoms look in different stages of life.