Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD/ADHD) Test Based upon the DSM-5 criteria and other screening measures for ADD/ADHD Reviewed by John M. Grohol, Psy.D. Use this quiz to help determine if you need to see a mental health professional for diagnosis and treatment of ADD or ADHD as an adult. Instructions: Simply answer the questions on how you have behaved and felt during the past 6 months. Take your time and answer truthfully for the most accurate results. I am a year old Female / Male 1. How often do you have difficulty sustaining your attention while doing something for work, school, a hobby, or fun activity (e.g., remaining focused during lectures, lengthy reading or conversations)? 2. How often are you easily distracted by external stimuli, like something in your environment or unrelated thoughts?
3. How often do you avoid, dislike, or are reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort or thought? 4. How often do you have trouble listening to someone, even when they are speaking directly to you, like your mind is somewhere else? 5. How often do you have difficulty in organizing an activity or task needing to get done (e.g., poor time management, fails to meet deadlines, difficulty managing sequential tasks)? 6. How often do you fail to give close attention to details, or make careless mistakes in things such as schoolwork, at work, or during other activities? 7. How often do you forget to do something you do all the time, such as missing an appointment or paying a bill? 8. How often do you lose, misplace or damage something that's necessary in order to get things done (e.g., your phone, eyeglasses, paperwork, wallet, keys, etc.)?
9. How often do you have trouble following through on instructions, or failing to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace (e.g., you start a task but quickly lose focus and are easily sidetracked)? Part 2 For Adults Instructions: Continue to answer the questions on how you have behaved and felt during the past 6 months. 10. How often are you unable to play or engage in leisurely activities quietly? 11. How often do you have difficulty waiting your turn, such as while waiting in line? 12. How often do you feel like you're "on the go," acting as if you're "driven by a
motor" (e.g., you're unable to be or uncomfortable being still for an extended period of time, such as in a restaurant or a meeting)? 13. How often do you leave your seat in situations when remaining seated is expected (e.g., leaving your place in the office or workplace)? 14. How often do you blurt out an answer before a question has been completed (e.g., completing another person's sentence or can't wait your turn in a conversation)? 15. How often do you feel restless -- like you want to get out and do something? 16. How often do you fidget with or tap your hands or feet, or squirm in your seat?
17. How often do find yourself talking excessively? 18. How often do you interrupt or intrude on others, such as butting into their conversation or taking over what others are doing? 19. Were several of the symptoms present prior to age 12? No Yes 20. Do the symptoms appear in at least two or more settings (e.g., at home and school)? No Yes 10 Problems That Could Mean Adult ADHD Save This Article For Later Share this: Many people think of rowdy kids who can t sit still when they think ofadhd. But symptoms of ADHD can sometimes linger into adulthood. Lots of adults with ADHD
don t realize that many of the problems they face, including staying organized or being on time, are symptoms of adult ADHD. What Causes Adult ADHD? While experts don t know for sure what causes ADHD, they think genes may play an important part. Environmental issues, such as exposure to cigarettes, alcohol, or other toxins while in the womb, may also play a role. Unlike other psychiatric disorders, including anxiety and depression, ADHD doesn't begin in adulthood. Symptoms must have been present since childhood for a diagnosis of adult ADHD to be made. 10 Problems That Could Mean Adult ADHD The conventional symptoms doctors look for to diagnose ADHD are based on how the condition shows itself in children. These symptoms include forgetfulness and excessive daydreaming, as well as an inability to sit still, or constant fidgeting with objects. Yet many experts think adult ADHD symptoms show themselves differently and more subtly. This can make it hard to recognize and diagnose adult ADHD. Because some possible symptoms -- like poor concentration or motivation, or interpersonal problems -- also could be signs of other psychiatric conditions (like depression or substance abuse), it's important that you get examined by a trained and experienced mental health professional. Here are 10 potential warning signs of adult ADHD: No. 1: Trouble Getting Organized For people with ADHD, the responsibilities of adulthood -- bills, jobs, and children, to name a few -- can make problems with organization more obvious and more problematic than in childhood. No. 2: Reckless Driving and Traffic Accidents ADHD makes it hard to keep your attention on a task, so spending time behind the wheel of a car can be hard. ADHD symptoms can make some people more likely to speed, have traffic accidents, and lose their driver s licenses.
No. 3: Marital Trouble Many people without ADHD have marital problems, so a troubled marriage shouldn t necessarily be seen as a red flag for adult ADHD. But there are some marriage problems that are likely to affect the relationships of those with ADHD., the partners of people with undiagnosed ADHD take poor listening skills and an inability to honor commitments as a sign that their partner doesn t care. If you re the person with ADHD, you may not understand why your partner is upset, and you may feel you re being nagged or blamed for something that s not your fault. No. 4: Extremely Distractible ADHD is a problem with attention, so adult ADHD can make it hard to succeed in today s fast-paced, hustle-bustle world. Many people find that distractibility can lead to a history of career under-performance, especially in noisy or busy offices. If you have adult ADHD, you might find that phone calls or email derails your attention, making it hard for you to finish tasks. No. 5: Poor Listening Skills Do you zone out during long business meetings? Did your husband forget to pick up your child at baseball practice, even though you called to remind him on his way home? Problems with attention result in poor listening skills in many adults with ADHD, leading to a lot of missed appointments and misunderstandings. No. 6: Restlessness, Trouble Relaxing While many children with ADHD are hyperactive, this ADHD symptom often appears differently in adults. Rather than bouncing off the walls, adults with ADHD are more likely to be restless or find they can t relax. If you have adult ADHD, others might describe you as edgy or tense. No. 7: Trouble Starting a Task Just as children with ADHD often put off doing homework, people with adult ADHD often drag their feet when starting tasks that require a lot of attention. This procrastination often adds to existing problems, including marital disagreements, workplace issues, and problems with friends. No. 8: Lateness
There are many reasons for this. First, adults with ADHD are often distracted on the way to an event, maybe realizing the car needs to be washed and then noticing they re low on gas, and before they know it an hour has gone by. People with adult ADHD also tend to underestimate how much time it takes to finish a task, whether it s a major assignment at work or a simple home repair. No. 9: Angry Outbursts ADHD often leads to problems with controlling emotions. Many people with adult ADHD are quick to explode over minor issues., they feel as if they have no control over their emotions. Many times, their anger fades as quickly as it flared, long before the people who dealt with the outburst have gotten over the incident. No. 10: Prioritizing Issues, people with adult ADHD mis-prioritize, failing to meet big obligations, like a deadline at work, while spending countless hours on something insignificant, such as getting a higher score on a video game.