A 16-year-old adolescent presents with longstanding inattention, poor organization, and academic underachievement. For a DSM-5 diagnosis of ADHD, several inattentive or hyperactive-impulsive symptoms must have been present before which age?
- A Age 5
- B Age 12 ✓
- C Age 7
- D Age 16
Correct answer: B. Age 12
Explanation
DSM-5 requires several inattentive or hyperactive-impulsive symptoms to have been present prior to age 12 for an ADHD diagnosis. This is a change from DSM-IV, which required symptoms causing impairment before age 7. The change to age 12 in DSM-5 was made because many individuals, especially those with predominantly inattentive presentation, are not identified until later childhood or adolescence.
Reference: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.