title: The nosology of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Learning Disorders Clinic, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis.
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: August
authors.forename: B D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Garfinkel
mesh_terms: D000124:Achievement; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000145:classification / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D014888:Wechsler Scales