How to check if you have adhd
Do I Have ADHD? 10 Ways to Tell & How to Get a Diagnosis
Written by Janie McQueen
Has anyone ever asked you if you have ADHD? Maybe you've even wondered yourself.
The only way to know for sure is to see a doctor. That's because the disorder has a number of possible symptoms, and they can easily be confused with those of other conditions, like depression or anxiety.
Not sure whether you should get checked by a doc? If many of these apply, you may need to get checked out.
1. People say you're forgetful.
Everyone misplaces car keys or jackets once in a while. But this kind of thing happens often when you have ADHD. You might spend time looking for glasses, wallets, phones, and other items every day. You may also forget to return phone calls, space out on paying bills, or miss medical appointments.
2. People complain that you don't listen.
Most of us lose focus on a conversation once in a while, especially if there's a TV nearby or something else grabs our attention. This happens often and to a greater degree with ADHD, even when there are no distractions around. But still, ADHD is more than that.
3. You’re often late.
Time management is an ongoing challenge when you have ADHD. It often leads to missed deadlines or appointments unless you work on avoiding that.
4. You have trouble concentrating.
Problems with attention, especially focusing for long periods of time or paying attention to details, is one of the hallmarks of the condition. Depression, anxiety, and addiction disorders can also take a toll on your focus, and many people with ADHD have one or more of these issues, too. Your doctor can ask you questions to get to the bottom of what's causing your attention problems.
5. You leave things undone.
Problems with attention and memory can make it tough to start or finish projects, especially ones that you know will take a lot of focus to complete. This symptom can point to depression, too.
6. You had behavior issues as a child.
You need to have had attention and concentration problems as a child in order to be diagnosed with ADHD as an adult -- even if those early symptoms didn't come with a formal diagnosis.
People may have accused you of being lazy back in childhood. Or they may have thought you had another condition like depression or anxiety.
If you actually were diagnosed with the disorder as a child, you may still have it. The symptoms change as you age, and not everyone outgrows it.
7. You lack impulse control.
This is more than tossing a candy bar into your cart at the checkout line. This is doing something even though you know it could have serious consequences, like running a red light because you think you can get away with it or not being able to keep quiet when you have something to say, even though you know you should.
8. You can’t get organized.
You may notice this more at work.
You could have trouble setting priorities, following through on tasks, and meeting project deadlines.
9. You’re fidgety.
Kids with ADHD are often hyperactive, but adults are more likely to be fidgety or restless. You might also talk too much and interrupt others.
10. You can’t control your emotions.
You might be moody or irritable, express frustration often, feel unmotivated, or be prone to angry outbursts. ADHD can make it hard to manage uncomfortable emotions or follow appropriate behavior when you’re upset.
There’s no one test. Instead, doctors and psychologists get information about what and how many symptoms you have, when they started, how long they've lasted, and how severe they are.
In order to be diagnosed with ADHD, you need to have several symptoms, not just one or two. And they have to have affected your jobs, relationships, or other important areas of your life. Your doctor will also want to rule out other conditions or find out if you have more than one disorder.
Several treatments can help you manage the condition. So if you answered yes to a lot of these questions, consider making an appointment with your doctor. The sooner you find out, the sooner you can start treatment.
Do I Have ADHD? Take Our ADHD Quiz to Screen for Symptoms
Answer the quiz questions below to see if you have symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Medical ReviewerBarton Herskovitz, MD
Who Is This ADHD Quiz For?
This simple assessment is for adults who think they may have symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Below is a list of questions that relate to life experiences common among people who have been diagnosed with ADD/ADHD. Please read each question carefully, and indicate how often you have experienced the same or similar challenges in the past few months.
How Accurate Is It?
This quiz is NOT a diagnostic tool.
Mental health disorders can only be diagnosed by qualified mental health professionals.
Psycom believes assessments can be a valuable first step toward getting treatment. All too often people stop short of seeking help out of fear their concerns aren't legitimate or severe enough to warrant professional intervention.
How Is ADHD Treated?
Treatment for adult ADHD typically involves medication, psychotherapy, and/or psychoeducation. There is no cure for ADHD, but a combination of these treatments can effectively reduce symptoms and improve work and home life.
Your privacy is important to us. All results are completely anonymous.
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ADHD FAQs
I thought ADHD was only in kids. How many adults have ADHD?
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD is primarily diagnosed in children ages 4–17 but according to the National Institute of Mental Health, an estimated 4.
4% of adults aged 18-44 have ADHD. ADHD is a neurological disorder present from birth and has a strong genetic component. If your symptoms are being caused by ADHD, they may have been present but not noticed in childhood. Many parents of children with ADHD are diagnosed when their child starts to struggle at school and are referred to a specialist.
Is ADHD a mental illness?
ADHD is a neurological condition. While it technically falls under the umbrella of mental illnesses most practitioners see it as a behavior disorder rather than a mental illness. ADHD is associated with behavior problems caused by working memory and executive functioning deficits (i.e. the ability to plan and be organized). It also commonly co-occurs with mental illnesses including bipolar disorder, social anxiety disorder, substance use disorder, and learning disabilities. Another term that is gaining acceptance that may more accurately describe ADHD is neurodiversity. Neurodiversity is a term that describes people who think and learn differently.
What is ADD behavior?
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) is one of the three subtypes of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and is no longer an acceptable acronym (in the clinical sense). Today it is referred to as ADHD predominantly inattentive type. While it has many overlapping symptoms, ADHD predominantly inattentive type lacks the hyperactivity piece but includes distractibility, impulsivity, trouble focusing (unless it’s something you find very interesting), and executive functioning challenges, meaning you have trouble planning, following instructions, and being organized.
Is it possible to have a successful life when you have ADHD?
Absolutely. Many people with ADHD thrive and often it’s because of (not despite) their ADHD symptoms. People with ADHD in business are known to be strategic, outside-the-box thinkers who have an enviable ability to handle many different tasks. People with ADHD are often very creative and have a unique ability to make connections others fail to see.
Celebrities like swimmer Michael Phelps, Will Smith, Justin Timberlake, Emma Watson, and Zooey Deschanel all have ADHD.
Is ADHD something you can develop as an adult?
No, if you are experiencing symptoms of ADHD as an adult you had it in childhood and either found ways to work around your difficulties or had mild enough symptoms they were overlooked. This is especially true in women/girls females who often manifest their symptoms by turning inward and keeping their problems hidden. They also typically lack the hyperactive component. It's important to note that depression, anxiety, and some mood disorder can resemble ADHD so it's important to rule out those causes of your symptoms. Research shows that ADHD is largely hereditary so if you have a child diagnosed with ADHD, you or the child’s father may have it as well. Untreated ADHD can strain relationships and contribute to other challenges so if you suspect you have ADHD seek the guidance of a licensed mental health care provider.
How accurate is this ADHD quiz and what do I do with the results?
This online assessment is not a diagnostic tool. Only a licensed mental health provider or doctor can properly diagnose ADHD. You can use the results of this ADHD test as a way to start a conversation with a partner, relative, therapist, or medical doctor.
Who can diagnosis ADHD?
ADHD cannot be diagnosed by a blood test. Share your symptoms with your doctor who can conduct a physical exam, review your medical history, and rule out other causes of your symptoms. You may be referred to an ADHD specialist for further testing after an initial consultation with your doctor.
What if I do not have insurance and/or can't afford a doctor to diagnose and treat me for ADHD?
Research has shown that interacting with others that share similar challenges can be a helpful source of knowledge, camaraderie, and effective coping strategies. Connect with support groups online through reputable organizations like CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and NAMI (the National Alliance on Mental Illness).
Apps can also be a helpful tool. Many are designed to help you cope with related anxiety, stress, insomnia, and organizational challenges. For a list of mental health apps visit https://www.psycom.net/25-best-mental-health-apps
Notes: This article was originally published December 30, 2021 and most recently updated June 28, 2022.
Barton Herskovitz, MD
Barton S. Herskovitz, MD, is a board-certified psychiatrist who practices in Newton and Needham, Massachusetts. For more than 30 years, he has specialized in helping families of ADHD and oppositional children. He’s run many groups for parents of children with ADHD, for children, teens, and adults who have ADHD, as well as workshops for siblings. He also recently used his experience and expertise to release his first book, The ADHD Sibling Challenge: How to Thrive When Your Brother or Sister Has ADHD (ISBN: 978- 1733832830, March 2020).
ADHD symptom test
The ADHD test includes many different symptoms that in one way or another indicate the presence of this mental disorder.
However, the severity of the disease and its symptoms can vary greatly.
This test incorporates the results of previous studies to ensure the validity and reliability of the results for identifying symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Do you have symptoms of ADHD? For each following statement, indicate how much you agree with it.
The ADHD test (IDR-ADHDST) is owned by IDRlabs. It builds on the work of Dr. Lenard Adler and colleagues who created the ADHD Questionnaire (ASRS). This test is not affiliated with any particular researcher or organization in the field of psychopathology.
The ADHD symptom test is based on material that has been published in the following sources: Kessler RC, Adler L, Ames M, Demler O, Faraone S, Hiripi E, Howes MJ, Jin R, Secnik K, Spencer T, Ustun TB , Walters EE. The World Health Organization Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS): a short screening scale for use in the general population. Psychol Med.
2005 Feb;35(2):245-56. doi:10.1017/s0033291704002892. PMID: 15841682; Adler LA, Spencer T, Faraone SV, Kessler RC, Howes MJ, Biederman J, Secnik K. Validity of pilot Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) to Rate Adult ADHD symptoms. Ann Clin Psychiatry. 2006 Jul-Sep;18(3):145-8. doi: 10.1080/10401230600801077. PMID: 16923651; Adler, L., Faraone, S., Sarocco, P., Atkins, N., Khachatryan, A. (2018). Establishing US norms for the adult ADHD self-report scale and characterizing symptom burden among adults with self-reported ADHD. The International Journal of Clinical Practice.
The work of Dr. Adler and colleagues looks at the main symptoms of ADHD. This work also describes certain diagnostic criteria that are intended for clinical use by trained mental health professionals. This test provides information for educational purposes only. IDRlabs and this test are in no way affiliated with the above researchers, organizations or institutions.
The ADHD symptom test is based on known research on the condition and other psychiatric disorders.
However, all free online tests like this one are only introductory materials that will not be able to determine your inherent qualities with absolute accuracy and reliability. Therefore, our test provides information for educational purposes only. Detailed information about your mental state can only be provided by a certified specialist.
As the authors of this free online ADHD symptom ratio test, we have made every effort to ensure that this test is reliable and valid through numerous validations and statistical data controls. However, free online tests like this provide information "as is" and should not be construed as providing professional or certified advice of any kind. For more information about our online tests, please see our Terms of Service.
15 Signs to Recognize ADHD
Mind and Feelings
Nadezhda Afanasyeva
October 16, 2020 10:51
October is considered Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Awareness Month in the United States.
On this occasion, user @NomeDaBarbarian, who himself suffers from the disorder, spoke with other people with a diagnosis and collected 80 signs on Twitter that may indicate the presence of ADHD. Of these, we have selected the 15 most interesting ones.
Together with @NomeDaBarbarian, we remind you that only a doctor can make a final diagnosis.
- You loved to build a pillow fortress, and still love it. The idea of doing it in the living room still attracts you. Most likely, in adulthood, it will manifest itself in love for small houses.
— It is difficult for other people to understand your emotions. You try to clearly tell your loved ones that they are hurting you and they should stop. When you can't take it anymore, they think you're "out of the blue".
- When you try to share something you care about, you are called a know-it-all. People say things like, "Have you ever thought about being wrong?" And they add that you are trying to impress them, that you think you are better than them.
- You love it when a round number is displayed on the clock. You give yourself the task to wake up and go out at 8.15, look at the time, and now it’s only 8.11 — it’s not time to go out yet. Watch again - it's already 8.17, and you're just not going anywhere because you missed the right moment.
- You have almost no old hobbies. Instead, only hobbies that you immerse yourself in for a while - they capture, you devote time, spend money, and at some point you just lose interest. You have things that you haven't touched for years.
- People cease to exist for you when they are not around. You rarely miss someone. But when you meet again, the time that has passed seems to have never happened. You are engaged in a conversation and catch up quickly.
- Sometimes the memories are so vivid and accurate that you literally remember what the person said. "I never said that!" - "You have said. It was autumn, we were sitting in the parking lot at Target (supermarket in the USA.
- Approx. ed. ) in a white Toyota, you said [X}, and I answered {Y}".
- You think you don't have ADHD because you can stay focused for hours. As long as something interests you, it will drag on for hours: you started playing (for example, Minecraft), and suddenly it was night. There is cold tea nearby, you need to go to the toilet.
- You have a bunch of unopened letters, messages from the bank, from doctors. You know that there is something important there and don't throw them away. But for some reason you can't even open them. And it annoys you.
- You never make drafts. Perhaps they even forged a draft, rewriting the final version in crooked handwriting. You edit while you write. And in the end, we are satisfied with the result.
You have tabs in your browser that you are about to read. They will remain there forever: you will not read them, but during one of their grandiose purges you will close everything.
- You like teamwork. Even when you do most of it.
