sluggish cognitive tempo

A descriptive term for what some regard as a large (up to half) homogeneous subgroup of individuals diagnosed as ADHD predominantly inattentive (ADHD-PI), which has been proposed as a separate entity for the upcoming DSM V. In contrast to those with ADHD-PI, who are hyperactive, extroverted, obtrusive and risk takers, those with sluggish cognitive tempo are introspective, daydream and feel as if they are in the fog.

References in periodicals archive ?

Barkley, "Distinguishing sluggish cognitive tempo from attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in adults," Journal of Abnormal Psychology, vol.

Mann, "Sluggish cognitive tempo predicts a different pattern of impairment in the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, predominantly inattentive type," Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, vol.

Hodgens, "Dimensions and correlates of attention deficit/ hyperactivity disorder and sluggish cognitive tempo," Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, vol.

Psychometric Evaluation of the Persian Version of Barkley Adult Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Screening Tool among the Elderly

Experts pushing for more research into sluggish cognitive tempo say it is gaining momentum toward recognition as a legitimate disorder -- and, as such, a candidate for pharmacological treatment.

Keith McBurnett, an adjunct professor of psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco, and co-author of several papers on sluggish cognitive tempo, said: "When you start talking about things like daydreaming, mind-wandering, those types of behaviors, someone who has a son or daughter who does this excessively says, 'I know about this from my own experience.' They know what you're talking about.''