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The adhd dsm manual is basically the set of rules that your child’s mental health specialist will follow when he or she is evaluating and assessing your child for ADD/ADHD. Depending upon where you live your child will be assessed according one of two sets of diagnostic criteria, which are: 1. ICD-10 The ICD-10 is the set of diagnostic criteria that is laid out by WHO (World Health Organization). These criteria are employed when diagnosing hyper kinetic disorder’ which is not exactly Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder in that it is essentially a narrow definition of the disorder. It is the ICD-10 that is most often used in countries such as the United Kingdom. Because it is a narrow definition of ADHD children who are assessed using this method are less inclined to be diagnosed with ADHD than those assessed using the other method. This explains why there are fewer diagnoses in countries like England. To be diagnosed using the ICD-10 an individual must exhibit symptoms of: * Inattention * Hyperactivity * Impulsivity Because the ICD-10 results in fewer children with severe symptoms being diagnosed with ADHD this results in fewer children with the disorder receiving treatment for it. 2. The DSM-IV-TR The DSM-IV-TR, or adhd dsm as it is sometimes known as, is the set of diagnostic criteria as compiled by the APA (American Psychiatric Association). This set of diagnostic criteria makes it possible for mental health specialists to diagnose various types of Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder, as well as hyper kinetic disorder. Someone who is diagnosed with the different types of ADHD using the DSM-IV diagnostic criteria will have to exhibit mainly inattentive symptoms. Some people are of the opinion that too many children are diagnosed with ADHD using the criteria laid out in the DSM-IV. Children diagnosed in the United States as according to the DSM-IV are more inclined to be diagnosed with ADHD in one of the three subtypes of the disorder. The three subtypes of Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder as laid out in the DSM-IV are: 1. Inattentive Type ADHD – At least six of the symptoms recognized as inattention must be exhibited for a child to be diagnosed with this subtype of ADHD. The majority of children diagnosed in this category of ADHD are girls. Very often children with this type of ADHD are overlooked or misjudged. This is due in large part to the fact that inattention is oftentimes misconstrued and misinterpreted by the child’s teachers and other adults. Symptoms of this subtype include: * Inattention * Difficulty maintaining concentration * Difficulty following instructions or directions * Difficulty organizing projects and tasks * Appears to not listen when spoken to directly 2. Hyperactive/Impulsive Type ADHD – At least six of the symptoms recognized as hyperactive/impulsive must be exhibited for a child to be diagnosed with this subtype of ADHD. The majority of children diagnosed in this category of ADHD are boys. Because of this fact alone many are inclined to question the validity of a diagnosis, suggesting that normal behavior is misconstrued as hyperactivity and/or impulsivity. However, it must be noted that such behaviors must be of a greater severity and duration in order for them to be considered symptomatic of the disorder. Symptoms of this type of ADHD include: * Always on the go * Running, jumping, shouting, etc. when it is inappropriate * Blurting out answers to questions that have not been fully asked * Fidgeting * Unable to play quietly either alone or with others 3. Combined Inattentive and Hyperactive/Impulsive Type ADHD – All the symptoms associated with inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity must be exhibited for a child to be diagnosed with this subtype of ADHD. Most children diagnosed with ADHD in the United States are diagnosed in this particular category. Once a child is diagnosed using the adhd dsm diagnostic criteria they are then placed on treatment to address the symptoms of the disorder. If you want to learn more about adhd dsm please be sure to visit my website at: http://www.adhd-treatment-info.com/, where I will show you a homeopathic remedy that safely and effectively combats the symptoms of ADHD in your child. Brought to you in the interest of natural healthy living and lifestyle choices by V K Rajagopalan.
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