For a diagnosis of ADHD, what is the minimum duration of symptoms required?

For a diagnosis of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), the minimum duration of symptoms required is six months. This timeframe is essential to ensure that the symptoms are not merely transient or situational but are persistent and significantly impair functioning. The six-month duration helps clinicians differentiate between ADHD and other potential issues that may lead to short-term attention or behavioral problems, such as environmental stressors or developmental changes that might not indicate a chronic disorder. Furthermore, ADHD symptoms must be present before the age of 12 and must also be evident in two or more settings (e.g., at home and at school) to fulfill diagnostic criteria. Thus, requiring symptoms to persist for at least six months ensures a more accurate and reliable diagnosis of ADHD.