When you’ve had to do an ADHD self test with adults at 1 a.m. after you missed another deadline, lost your keys again, or zoned out talking to a friend, you are far from the only one. Every day, many grownups wonder if their concerns with attention, time management, and follow through are simply personality traits-or the cause of something.
A self test for adults with ADHD might be helpful. It won’t provide a diagnosis, but it’s a good way to see recurring patterns you may have overlooked for years. In this guide we will show you how these self-assessments function, what the various outcomes signify and what to do when you have a score.
What Is an Adult ADHD Self-Test?
An ADHD Self Test for Adults is a brief inventory of questions used to identify symptoms for Attention-Deficit or Hyperactivity Disorder. Most versions will require that you rate your frequency of experiences such as:
- Hyperactivity or impulsivity or failure to listen when spoken to
- Low organizational skills for work and or personal business
- Frequently losing or misplacing things
- Poor sitting posture, bouncing feet, fidgeting in seat, inability to sit still
- Going off on a tangent or talking over others
- Chronic procrastination even on important jobs – even when there is a good reason to do so
These tools are referred to as “self-assessments” because they are filled out without the presence of a clinician. The most widely referenced scale utilized in both clinical and research settings was created by the World Health Organization known as the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS). Numerous websites have created their own versions of the ADHD self assessment test.
Why Adults Take a Self-Test for ADHD
ADHD doesn’t just affect children. Some adults may not get diagnosis until late 30’s, 40’s or even at an older age – sometimes because their symptoms may have easily been overlooked with intellectual ability, some coping mechanisms or because the environment they had lived in was intelligent and highly structured, but which has changed. It’s at this point that they may realize that something is amiss with them and are seeing a self test ADHD adults questionnaire for the first time.
Most individuals seek an adult ADHD self test when they observed patterns such as:
- Working but failing to perform well even when you strive to do your best job
- Constantly running late or missing deadlines
- Mentally “foggy” or “scattered” in the day
- Having great energy to begin tasks, but not to complete them
- Stress that comes from relationship issues due to forgetfulness and inattention
If you’re familiar with several of these, you might consider pursuing a formal conversation with a psychiatrist to see if it’s worth it. More detail about the adult ADD/ADHD symptoms throughout the day is found on our Adult ADD/ADHD Symptoms Page.
Inattentive vs. Hyperactive: What Your Symptom Pattern SuggestsInattentive vs. Hyperactive: What Your Symptom Pattern Suggests
Not all people who have ADHD are alike. This is a significant one of the reasons for the separate existence of a simple version of the inattentive ADHD self-test for adults as opposed to more widespread screening.
Predominantly Inattentive Presentation
The pattern includes problems concentrating, disorganization, forgetfulness and loss of tasks – but not associated with over activity. People with this pattern may be perceived as losing interest, careless or “spacey” when they are really acting out of a different way of thinking.
Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Presentation
This seems closer to being restless, impatient, interruptive or making hasty choices without fully considering whether they are the right thing to do. Hyperactivity manifests in adults as an internal process, excitement of thoughts or constant inner activity, rather than as external movement.
Combined Presentation
Adults often have high scores on the inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity dimensions. There is hardly any other presentation that occurs more than this one in adults.
If you continue with a professional assessment, you will benefit from knowing which pattern matches your findings to which you can go in the conversation. More details about these presentations are provided on our What Is Adult ADHD? page.
How to Take an Adult ADHD Self-Assessment Test Accurately
When taking any adult ADHD self-assessment test, stick to these guidelines to obtain the best advice:
- Be honest, don’t be hopeful. Describe your behavior in a realistic manner; not that which you would like to do.
- Remember the past 6 months, not today. Symptoms of ADHD are not just for certain situations.
- Think about other parts of their lives. At work, in relationships, finances and home – of their lives.
- Don’t take it immediately after a stressful event. To a certain extent, the symptoms of ADHD may be a response to intense stress, a lack of sleep or even grief.
- Be specific, provide examples. Where a question refers to non-fulfillment of deadlines, it is essential to give concrete examples and not just a general idea about them.
Spend some time answering the survey, not quick answers which are bound to be inaccurate.
What Your ADHD Self-Test Results Really Mean
That’s the part that most people jump straight to and it would be with good reason. Here is an explanation of the typical score ranges in a self test adhd adult questionnaire.
Low Score Range
Low scores indicate that you may have symptoms that are uncommon or less severe. Do not rule out ADHD, but there is a possibility that the manifestation of the condition at the moment is better attributed to stress, sleep problems, burnout and or the concentration of a very demanding period of life.
Moderate Score Range
A moderate score may indicate that you are seeing a significant number of the symptoms of ADHD with some frequency. It is important to focus on the self-management of these patterns in the next few weeks in terms of how they relate to your work, your relationships, and how well you can do your job.
High Score Range
The higher your score, the more your symptoms resemble those of adult ADHD. This is a fairly good indication to seek a health care professional’s evaluation, as self-test at this point is fairly accurate in relation to formal diagnostic criteria.
No matter which test you are given, a self-test score is a screening, not a diagnosis. It helps you decide if you should seek additional information about ADHD; it is not a definitive question about whether or not you actually have ADHD.
The Limitations of an ADHD Self-Assessment Test
It is important to always remember that a self test for ADHD can do some things and it can’t do others.
What it can do:
- Design patterns to discuss with a professional
- Support you in expressing your symptoms that you may not have described
- Language and structure for the first appointment
What it cannot do:
- Exclude or diagnose ADHD
- Identify ADHD as a diagnosable condition and differentiate it from conditions that mimic ADHD such as anxiety, depression, thyroid problems or chronic sleep deficits
- Include complete medical and developmental history
- Substitute a structured clinical interview with a psychiatrist for a structured clinical interview
Symptoms of ADHD often overlap with other disorders. For instance, a person with anxiety might also complain about difficulty concentrating and restlessness – both of which are typically experienced by ADHD sufferers, but are treated in entirely different ways. Self-tests are intended as a means to a first response rather than a final solution for that reason.
What to Do After Taking Your ADHD Self-Test
If the results-no matter how good or bad-left you seriously think that the answer to why you struggle is ADHD, there’s an appropriate next step, you’re about to learn.
- Make specific examples. Record actual circumstances relating to work, relationships and responsibilities that are impacted by symptoms.
- If time permits, follow the pattern for several weeks. Prior to your appointment.
- Obtain pertinent history. Such as previous mental health treatment, a history of medication treatment, and family history of ADHD.
- Make an appointment with a professional. Your licensed psychiatrist can find out if you have ADHD or another condition or a mix of issues that is causing the symptoms you’re feeling.
If you’d like to learn more about what a clinical evaluation is, and what it entails that’s different from the self-test you’ve newly completed – read our detailed account: Inside an Adult ADHD Test: What the Evaluation With a Psychiatrist Truly Involves.
Why a Professional Evaluation Matters
While an online adhd self assessment test adult questionnaire is a good general point of reference, an ADHD diagnosis is a clinical one that takes a trained psychiatrist time to make, and it’s a diagnosis based on all information gathered – not just a checklist of checked boxes. A thorough assessment considers the expression of symptoms, how these symptoms may have started, the effects on your work and relationships and whether other conditions can better account for the pattern you are experiencing.
Dr. John C. Shershow, M.D. is a specialist in assessing and managing Adult ADHD in New York and New Jersey both in person and via telehealth. To get a full picture of the relationship of symptoms, diagnosis and treatment, read our Understanding ADHD in Adults: Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment guide.
Once you have interpreted your self-test and have decided it’s similar to you, the next step is to talk to a specialist – not get more on Google.
Schedule an ADHD Diagnosis Consultation
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an adult ADHD self-test?
An adult ADHD self-test consists of a brief self-administered survey of the typical signs and symptoms of ADHD including inattention, disorganization, restlessness and impulsivity. It helps determine if your experiences fit in with those generally related to ADHD, however it doesn’t alone make a diagnosis.
How accurate is an ADHD self-assessment test for adults?
Self-assessment tests may have a reasonably high degree of accuracy at detecting symptom patterns, particularly the widely used ASRS. The accuracy does hinge on the honesty and consistency from both the participant and the results, however, and results should always be verified by a professional psychiatric evaluation.
What does a high score on an adult ADHD self-assessment test mean?
A higher score indicates symptoms are similar to more common in adults. It is a good indicator to have a formal evaluation scheduled, but is not diagnostic.
Can a self-test for ADHD in adults diagnose me?
No. The self-test for ADHD in adults is a screening/non-diagnostic test. There is only one way to diagnose ADHD, through looking at the entire picture in the history and eliminating other causes of symptoms by a licensed psychiatrist.
What’s the difference between inattentive and hyperactive ADHD self-test results?
The inattentive-pattern results indicate trouble maintaining attention, forgetfulness and disorganization. The high scores on hyperactive impulses indicate restlessness, impatience, and impulsive decision making. Many adults exhibit anxiety for both.
Where can I get a professional ADHD evaluation after taking a self-test?
Dr. John C. Shershow provides adults with full evaluations for ADHD in NYC and NJ, both remotely and in person. Here’s where you can schedule a consultation to get from the Self assessment phase to the Professional diagnosis phase.