The nosology of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder

• Published in: Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Vol. 32; no. 1; p. 155
• Main Authors: August, G J, Garfinkel, B D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.01.1993
• Subjects: Achievement; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - complications; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - diagnosis; Child; Child Behavior Disorders - classification; Child Behavior Disorders - complications; Child Behavior Disorders - diagnosis; Comorbidity; Female; Humans; Male; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Wechsler Scales
• ISSN: 0890-8567
• DOI: 10.1097/00004583-199301000-00023

This study examined five central issues regarding the classification of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in an epidemiologically derived sample of primary school children. A monothetic schema (DSM-III) differed from a polythetic-only schema (DSM-III-R) by having a higher frequency of comorbid conduct disorder. A pervasive model was too restrictive, identifying only the most severe disruptive or conduct disordered children. Raising the minimum threshold above eight symptoms (DSM-III-R) missed less disruptive children who nevertheless exhibit significant functional impairment. There was minimal support for the independence of a syndrome of attention deficit disorder without hyperactivity (DSM-III). Finally, ADHD patients commonly have other diagnoses, most frequently conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, and anxiety disorder.