DSM-5
Short answer
The DSM-5 is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, published by the American Psychiatric Association. Its current version, DSM-5-TR, is the standard classification used by mental health professionals in the United States, and ADHD is one of the conditions it covers. Reading it is not the same as being evaluated by a trained clinician.
When articles say a clinician checks whether symptoms meet criteria, the criteria usually come from the DSM. Knowing what the manual is helps you understand what happens in an evaluation, and why no website can do the same job.
The manual itself
We do not reproduce, summarize or count the ADHD criteria here. They are written for trained clinicians, who apply them alongside history, observation and judgment.
The manual is revised from time to time, which is why you will see different edition names in older and newer articles: DSM-IV, DSM-IV-TR, DSM-5 and DSM-5-TR. When a source mentions criteria, it helps to check which edition it means.
The DSM outside the United States
ICD-11 is the World Health Organization's classification. Many countries use one or both systems, and a clinician will know which applies where you live.
How the ASRS relates to the DSM
The six-question screener on ADHDFalcon is the v1.1 version. Its questions trace back to the older edition. That is one more reason a screener result cannot stand in for a current diagnostic assessment.
Limits of reading the manual yourself
Hypothetically, someone might find criteria online, count how many feel familiar, and conclude they qualify. That skips the parts that need training and time: a full clinical assessment, a careful look at personal history, input from people who know you, and judgment about whether something else explains the picture better. Those judgments are why diagnosis sits with qualified professionals.
Knowing the manual exists can still be useful. It explains why a clinician asks so many detailed questions, and why the answers matter more than any single checklist.
If a clinician refers to criteria during your evaluation, you can ask them to explain what they are considering and why.
A starting point for your next step.
Start with a free screening insteadFrequently asked questions
What does DSM stand for?
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. The current US version is DSM-5-TR, from the American Psychiatric Association.
Is the ASRS based on the DSM-5?
The ASRS v1.1, which we use, is linked to the earlier DSM-IV-TR. NYU separately lists an ASRS instrument updated to DSM-5 criteria.
Can I diagnose myself with the DSM-5 criteria?
No. NICE says ADHD should only be diagnosed by an appropriately qualified healthcare professional after a full assessment.
Sources
Source check: 2026-10-28. No medical review has occurred.
- American Psychiatric Association, "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR)", psychiatry.org
- NICE guideline NG87, Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: diagnosis and management
- NYU Langone Health, Technology Opportunities & Ventures. ASRS v1.1 18-Question Symptom Checklist (Technology No. ADL01-07), licensing page. Authors Lenard Adler, MD, and Ronald C. Kessler, PhD.
- NYU Langone Health, Technology Opportunities & Ventures. ASRS DSM-5 (Technology No. ADL01-06), licensing page. Authors Lenard Adler, MD, and Ronald C. Kessler, PhD.
Published 2026-10-28. Factual source check: ADHDFalcon editorial team, factual source check, 2026-10-28. No medical review has occurred.