ADHD Test: Take The First Steps with This Self-Assessment

Welcome to your new journey. Today, we’re diving into a topic close to my heart: ADHD. We’ll be exploring how to take the first steps in understanding ADHD with a simple self-assessment. It’s a journey of self-discovery, so let’s get started.

ADHD: A quick overview

ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, isn’t just something that affects kids during their school years. It’s actually a lifelong journey, and many adults – like myself – deal with it daily. 

ADHD brings its own set of unique challenges and strengths, so understanding it is an essential first step towards thriving with it.

That’s why we co-created this self-assessment quiz together with the Calmerry team. 

Who is this quiz for?

Well, if you’ve ever wondered if your “quirks,” like your ability to hyper-focus on one thing for hours or your habit of losing your keys daily, might be related to ADHD, then you’re in the right place. 

This quiz is for anyone – adults like us – who suspect they might be dancing to the ADHD beat.

Is the online test accurate?

Before we dive into the quiz, a quick word of caution: any online ADHD test should be treated as a preliminary screening tool rather than a definitive diagnosis. While this quiz can offer valuable insights, a proper diagnosis requires an evaluation by a qualified medical or mental health professional. 

How to take the test and understand the results

Taking the test is as easy as ordering your favorite pizza. Simply click the button on the form, answer 17 questions, and voilà – you’ll have your results. 

Taking the quiz will provide some clarity on the current struggles you may be facing and help you navigate your next steps. 

This self-assessment doesn’t provide a diagnosis. The higher your score on this test, the more it might indicate a likelihood of meeting the criteria for an ADHD diagnosis. It suggests that further evaluation by a professional could be beneficial.

We strongly encourage you to share your results with a licensed healthcare provider. Only a professional can provide a comprehensive assessment and offer more insights into your symptoms.

ADHD self-assessment for adults

For each statement, select the response that best describes how often you have felt or behaved this way in the past six months.

1) I make careless mistakes in my work or other activities.

     0. Never

     1. Rarely

     2. Sometimes

     3. Often

     4. Very often

2) I have difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities.

     0. Never

     1. Rarely

     2. Sometimes

     3. Often

     4. Very often

3) I have difficulty organizing tasks and activities.

     0. Never

     1. Rarely

     2. Sometimes

     3. Often

     4. Very often

4) I fail to follow through on instructions and fail to finish my duties (not due to oppositional behavior or failure to understand).

     0. Never

     1. Rarely

     2. Sometimes

     3. Often

     4. Very often

5) I avoid or am reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort.

     0. Never

     1. Rarely

     2. Sometimes

     3. Often

     4. Very often

6) I lose items necessary for tasks and activities.

     0. Never

     1. Rarely

     2. Sometimes

     3. Often

     4. Very often

7) I’m easily distracted by extraneous stimuli.

     0. Never

     1. Rarely

     2. Sometimes

     3. Often

     4. Very often

8) I’m forgetful in daily activities.

     0. Never

     1. Rarely

     2. Sometimes

     3. Often

     4. Very often

9) I fidget with or tap my hands or feet or squirm in my seat.

     0. Never

     1. Rarely

     2. Sometimes

     3. Often

     4. Very often

10) I leave my seat in situations when remaining seated is expected.

     0. Never

     1. Rarely

     2. Sometimes

     3. Often

     4. Very often

11) I feel restless.

     0. Never

     1. Rarely

     2. Sometimes

     3. Often

     4. Very often

12) I talk more than necessary.

     0. Never

     1. Rarely

     2. Sometimes

     3. Often

     4. Very often

13) I blurt out answers before questions have been completed.

     0. Never

     1. Rarely

     2. Sometimes

     3. Often

     4. Very often

14) I have difficulty waiting my turn.

     0. Never

     1. Rarely

     2. Sometimes

     3. Often

     4. Very often

15) I interrupt or intrude on others (e.g., butting into conversations or games).

     0. Never

     1. Rarely

     2. Sometimes

     3. Often

     4. Very often

16) My emotions can be intense and change rapidly, sometimes leading to outbursts (yelling, feelings of frustration, adult tantrum).

     0. Never

     1. Rarely

     2. Sometimes

     3. Often

     4. Very often

17) I feel “different” or face self-esteem or self-acceptance issues due to my challenges.

     0. Never

     1. Rarely

     2. Sometimes

     3. Often

     4. Very often

List of clinically validated screening tools

Now, if you’re looking for some heavy-duty tools used by health professionals, we’ve got you covered:

• Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS-v1.1) is a well-recognized instrument. It’s like the stethoscope for ADHD. 
• Conners’ Adult ADHD Rating Scales (CAARS), designed to assess ADHD symptoms in adults.
• Conners’ Rating Scales-Revised (CRS-R), used for children and adolescents, assessing ADHD symptoms along with other behavioral issues.
• ADHD Rating Scale-IV (ADHD-RS-IV), used for both children and adults, this tool assesses the frequency of ADHD symptoms based on the DSM-IV criteria.
• Strengths and Weaknesses of ADHD Symptoms and Normal Behavior (SWAN) Scale, evaluates a broad range of ADHD-related symptoms in children.
• Barkley Adult ADHD Rating Scale-IV (BAARS-IV), specifically designed for adults, this tool assesses the presence of ADHD symptoms.
• Brown Attention-Deficit Disorder Symptom Assessment Scale (BADDS) for Adults, used to assess the presence of ADHD symptoms in adults.

The next steps after the ADHD test

Once you’ve taken the quiz and have a better sense of where you might stand with ADHD, what’s next? Well, there’s a world of possibilities. Understanding your ADHD is a journey, not a one-stop destination. 

Consider reaching out to healthcare professionals and online therapy to explore your next steps.

ADHD is a part of who you are, and it’s packed with unique strengths and powers. Embrace it, learn about it, and let it be a part of your wonderfully diverse self. You’re not alone on this journey, and there’s a world of support out there waiting for you.

– Teliesha Moore, Behavior Therapist, Child & Teen Neurodiversity Educator

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So, go ahead and take the quiz. It’s only the beginning of your ADHD adventure, and there is a community of people (like your friends at Calmerry!) cheering you on every step of the way.