DIVA-5: What the Adult ADHD Interview Actually Covers

The DIVA-5 is the semi-structured interview used in most UK adult ADHD assessments. It is the most widely used adult ADHD interview internationally and is the one NeuroFX uses for adult assessment. This article walks through what it actually covers, what the experience is like, and what it does and does not do.

What DIVA-5 is

DIVA stands for Diagnostic Interview for ADHD in adults. The fifth edition (DIVA-5) was developed by the DIVA Foundation in the Netherlands, led by Sandra Kooij and colleagues, and aligned to DSM-5 criteria ^[1]. It is the successor to DIVA 2.0, with revisions to match the DSM-5 changes to adult ADHD criteria.

DIVA-5 is:

• A semi-structured clinical interview, conducted by a trained clinician
• Designed to operationalise DSM-5 ADHD criteria for adults
• Built around concrete examples for both adulthood and childhood
• Available in many languages and widely used across Europe, the UK and Australia

It is the European consensus standard for adult ADHD assessment ^[2]. NICE NG87 does not specify DIVA-5 by name but requires a structured interview, and DIVA-5 is the most common choice ^[3].

What the DIVA-5 covers

The interview has three main sections.

Section 1: Inattention symptoms

Nine inattention criteria from DSM-5, each one explored in turn ^[4]:

• Failing to give close attention to details, careless mistakes
• Difficulty sustaining attention
• Not seeming to listen when spoken to
• Difficulty following through on instructions
• Difficulty organising tasks
• Avoidance of tasks needing sustained mental effort
• Losing things necessary for tasks
• Easy distractibility
• Forgetfulness in daily activities

For each criterion, the interviewer asks for concrete examples from the past six months. They then ask whether the same difficulty was present in childhood, again with concrete examples. The interview includes prompts ("Did you ever leave for school without your PE kit?", "Did your reports say you were not finishing work?") to help recall.

Section 2: Hyperactivity and impulsivity symptoms

Nine hyperactivity-impulsivity criteria from DSM-5, again with concrete examples ^[4]:

• Fidgeting or squirming
• Difficulty staying seated
• Restlessness (running, climbing for children; internal restlessness for adults)
• Difficulty engaging in leisure quietly
• "On the go" or driven by a motor
• Talking excessively
• Blurting out answers
• Difficulty waiting turn
• Interrupting or intruding

Same structure: current examples, then childhood examples.

Section 3: Impairment, age of onset, and differential

The closing section covers:

• Impairment across multiple settings (work, education, home, relationships, finances, driving, leisure)
• Whether symptoms were present before age 12
• Other conditions that might explain the picture (anxiety, depression, sleep, autism, trauma, substance use)

The DIVA-5 form is then completed and the clinician maps the criteria against DSM-5 thresholds.

What the experience is like

Most adults find DIVA-5 more searching than they expected. A few common patterns:

• The interview is paced and detailed. Each criterion is explored fully before moving on.
• Concrete examples matter more than yes or no answers. "Sometimes" usually triggers a follow-up.
• The childhood section is often the most emotionally significant. Many adults find that thinking through specific childhood examples reframes their memories.
• The interview takes around 60 to 90 minutes within the wider assessment. It is rarely the only thing in the appointment.

NeuroFX clinicians use DIVA-5 as part of a wider assessment that also covers developmental and family history, mental health, sensory profile, and any co-occurring conditions. The DIVA-5 is one important piece, not the whole picture.

What DIVA-5 does well

• It anchors the diagnostic decision in DSM-5 criteria with concrete evidence, rather than impressions.
• It separates adulthood and childhood evidence, which DSM-5 requires.
• It is reproducible across clinicians and providers, supporting consistency in diagnosis.
• It is in routine use across NHS and private services, so the report is widely recognised.

What DIVA-5 does not do

• It is not a substitute for the wider clinical interview. The wider history, mental health context, and informant input matter.
• It does not assess severity reliably. Severity is a separate clinical judgement.
• It does not pick up co-occurring conditions on its own. The clinician asks about those alongside.
• It is not a self-administered test. It is a clinician-led structured interview. Online versions filled in alone do not produce a diagnostic result.
• It is not the only acceptable adult ADHD interview. ACE+ and other tools exist; DIVA-5 is the most common choice but not the only one.

DIVA-5 in the women's adult ADHD pathway

For autistic women and women suspected of having ADHD, the DIVA-5 is conducted with explicit attention to:

• Masking and the home/public split
• Symptoms across the menstrual cycle and any hormonal transitions
• Emotional regulation patterns, including rejection sensitivity
• Co-occurring anxiety, depression, eating difficulties or PMDD

Private adult ADHD assessment for women at NeuroFX uses the DIVA-5 alongside this wider lens.

What this means in practice

• Expect a thorough, detailed interview rather than a quick yes/no questionnaire.
• Prepare concrete examples in advance, particularly for the childhood section. School reports and parental memories help.
• Be honest about uncertainty. "I am not sure if that was true at school" is a useful answer.
• DIVA-5 is one part of a NICE-aligned assessment. The full picture comes from the interview, the history, any informant input and the clinical synthesis.

When to speak to a professional

If you are recognising the pattern in yourself, NHS routes start with GP referral, with Right to Choose in England as the often-faster route. NeuroFX offers private adult ADHD assessment from our Bedford clinic where waiting is a barrier. Seek same-day help via 111 (or 999 in an emergency) for any mental health crisis.

Sources

1. Kooij JJS, Francken MH. Diagnostic Interview for ADHD in adults (DIVA-5). DIVA Foundation. 2019. https://www.divacenter.eu/
2. Kooij JJS, Bijlenga D, Salerno L, et al. Updated European Consensus Statement on diagnosis and treatment of adult ADHD. European Psychiatry. 2019;56:14-34.
3. NICE. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: diagnosis and management. NG87. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng87
4. American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association Publishing; 2022.