A 6-year-old boy with normal intelligence has persistent difficulty sustaining attention, often loses things, is easily distracted, frequently interrupts, cannot wait his turn, and has similar symptoms in both school and home settings present since age 4. DSM-5 diagnosis requires symptoms to be present in how many settings and for what minimum duration?

• A One setting for 3 months
• B Two or more settings for 12 months
• C Three or more settings for 6 months
• D Two or more settings for 6 months ✓

Explanation

DSM-5 criteria for ADHD require: (1) ≥6 inattentive or hyperactive-impulsive symptoms (≥5 in adolescents ≥17 years); (2) symptoms present for ≥6 months; (3) symptoms present in two or more settings (home, school, work, peers); (4) symptoms cause impairment; (5) onset before age 12 years; (6) not better explained by another disorder. The multi-setting criterion distinguishes ADHD from situation-specific behavioural responses. Symptoms before age 12 are required, and this child had symptoms from age 4, meeting the developmental onset criterion.

Reference: Ghai Essential Pediatrics, 10th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.