Question

For the diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), symptoms should start before which age?

• A. 10 years
• B. 12 years
• C. 16 years
• D. 18 years

Hint:

DSM-5 Diagnostic Highlights for ADHD:
- Onset of symptoms: Before 12 years of age.
- Settings: Must be present in $\ge 2$ different settings (home, school).
- Duration: $\ge 6$ months.
- Number of symptoms ($<17$ yrs): $\ge 6$ symptoms from inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Concept:
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent, developmentally inappropriate patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that directly impair social, academic, or occupational functioning.
Explanation:
• According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5 and DSM-5-TR), the formal diagnostic criteria require that several inattentive or hyperactive-impulsive symptoms must be present prior to age 12 years.

• (Note: The previous DSM-IV criteria had an age cutoff of 7 years, but this was updated to 12 years in DSM-5 to account for individuals with predominant inattentive presentation whose academic impairment becomes prominent during late childhood).

• Additional core DSM-5 criteria include:
1. Persistence of symptoms for at least 6 consecutive months to a degree that is inconsistent with developmental level.
2. Symptoms must be present in two or more distinct settings (e.g., at home, at school, with peers, or in extracurricular activities).
3. Clear evidence that the symptoms interfere with or reduce the quality of social, academic, or occupational functioning.
4. For children up to age 16 years, at least 6 symptoms in either the inattention or hyperactivity/impulsivity domain (or both for combined presentation) must be documented.
Final Answer:
As per DSM-5 criteria, symptoms of ADHD must have an onset prior to 12 years of age.