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)?

Never

Rarely

Sometimes

Often

2. How often are you easily distracted by external stimuli, like something in your

environment or unrelated thoughts?

Never

Rarely

Sometimes

Often

3. How often do you avoid, dislike, or are reluctant to engage in tasks that require

sustained mental effort or thought?

Never

Rarely

Sometimes

Often

4. How often do you have trouble listening to someone, even when they are

speaking directly to you, like your mind is somewhere else?

Never

Rarely

Sometimes

Often

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)?

Never

Rarely

Sometimes

Often

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?

Never

Rarely

Sometimes

Often

7. How often do you forget to do something you do all the time, such as missing an

appointment or paying a bill?

Never

Rarely

Sometimes

Often

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.)?

Never

Rarely

Sometimes

Often

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)?

Never

Rarely

Sometimes

Often

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?

Never

Rarely

Sometimes

Often

11. How often do you have difficulty waiting your turn, such as while waiting in

line?

Never

Rarely

Sometimes

Often

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)?

Never

Rarely

Sometimes

Often

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)?

Never

Rarely

Sometimes

Often

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)?

Never

Rarely

Sometimes

Often

15. How often do you feel restless -- like you want to get out and do something?

Never

Rarely

Sometimes

Often

16. How often do you fidget with or tap your hands or feet, or squirm in your

seat?

Never

Rarely

Sometimes

Often

17. How often do find yourself talking excessively?

Never

Rarely

Sometimes

Often

18. How often do you interrupt or intrude on others, such as butting into their

conversation or taking over what others are doing?

Never

Rarely

Sometimes

Often

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

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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. Often, 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. Often, 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

Often, 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.