Assessment for: 
Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome (CDS).
Also known as Sluggish Cognitive Tempo

Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome (CDS)(formerly called “Sluggish Cognitive Tempo”)

Scroll down for the assessment. 
​What it is:
CDS describes a pattern of attention and energy difficulties. It’s not an official diagnosis in DSM-5-TR or ICD-11. Think of it as a cluster of symptoms that some people experience, often alongside ADHD or anxiety.

Common signs (in everyday life)
  • Frequent daydreaming or mind-wandering
  • Feeling “in a fog,” staring, or losing your train of thought
  • Sleepy during the day or low energy
  • Slow to get started or to finish tasks
  • Slower thinking or movement, seeming underactive or lethargic
  • Low initiative—needing more prompting to begin things
These symptoms can overlap with ADHD, but they’re not the same. People with CDS often look more tuned-out and low-energy, while ADHD can look more distracted, restless, or impulsive.

How clinicians assess it:
Because CDS isn’t a formal diagnosis, providers use questionnaires and your history to understand what’s going on and how much it affects daily life.
  • Adults: tools like the Adult Concentration Inventory (ACI) (ratings from 0 = not at all to 3 = very often, over the past 6 months).
  • Youth: tools like the Child Concentration Inventory-2 (CCI-2).
  • Other options include Barkley SCT scales.
  • There’s no single “pass/fail” cutoff. Scores are used with reports from you/family/teachers and look at impairment (work, school, home).

What else could be contributing?
Similar symptoms can come from:
  • Poor sleep or sleep disorders (e.g., insufficient sleep, sleep apnea)
  • Depression or anxiety
  • Medication effects or medical conditions
  • ADHD (you can have ADHD and CDS-type symptoms together)

​A good evaluation checks for these and builds a plan around your specific needs.
What can help
  • Sleep basics: regular schedule, limit late-night screens/caffeine, address snoring or insomnia
  • Daily structure: written plans, smaller steps, timers/reminders, visual checklists
  • Skills & therapy: organization/coaching strategies; CBT for motivation and mood
  • School/work supports: extra time, reduced distractions, clear task lists
  • Treat co-occurring conditions: If ADHD, anxiety, or depression is present, treating those often improves CDS-type symptoms too
When to reach If these symptoms get in the way of school, work, or relationships, consider a professional evaluation. We can help you sort out what’s CDS-like, what might be ADHD or another condition, and design a plan that fits your life.

Adult Concentration Inventory (ACI)

Rate behaviors over the past 6 months. Scale: 0=Not at all, 1=Sometimes, 2=Often, 3=Very often.

Client / Admin
A) Symptom Frequency (0–3)
B) Impairment (0–3)

ACI content adapted/paraphrased for clinical use. This tool does not replace clinical judgment or formal diagnosis.