Should I Take An Adult ADHD Test?

Being impulsive, restless, or unfocused can cause problems at work, at home, and in other facets of your adult life. You may have read about adult ADHD or noticed that you experience many of the same symptoms that others living with the disorder do. For example, some of the most common symptoms of ADHD include trouble listening, mood swings, difficulty with remaining focused, difficulty finishing tasks, feelings as though you fail often (even if you don’t), impulsivity or making decisions quickly, and other behaviors and thinking patterns that can make day to day life challenging. If so, you may want to take a legitimate ADHD test for adults and not just a "Do I have ADHD quiz" online to find out if you need to explore the issue further. 

Below, we’ll discuss details about what adult ADHD screenings are, what they test, how they work, and how it might benefit you to take one.

What is adult ADHD screening?

Adults who suspect they may show signs of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, often participate in some sort of screening in order to receive an official diagnosis.

An ADHD adult test typically includes a list of questions, either with multiple choice options, yes-or-no options, or a rating scale. You may find diagnostic tools online from reputable providers meant to act as at-home screening options, but these resources are just that: resources. While online tests can help you understand your symptoms and provide some direction, they aren’t meant to serve as a replacement for working with a mental health professional.

Taking the next step: Testing

Whether you’ve taken an at-home test or are simply interested in learning more about your options, you may decide it's time to seek help from a professional. You can start by talking to a doctor or mental health expert, such as a therapist or psychiatrist, about your concerns. 

The process usually starts with a conversation. Your healthcare professional may ask you questions about your background, family history, and any medical complications you have. Then, they'll likely ask you to describe the symptoms you're having. 

Next, your provider may ask you to go into further about your possible ADHD symptoms. They will likely be interested in learning more about how these things have impacted your daily life. If you tend to have a hard time focusing on a project that requires close attention, for example, you might point to instances of poor academic or professional performance, damage to relationships, and other examples that demonstrate the real-life consequences of your symptoms.

Psychological testing with a mental health professional for ADHD in adults

After the initial consultation, your physician or psychologist may suggest more in-depth psychological tests for ADHD in adults. There is no single testing method used to diagnose all cases of ADHD; instead, different providers rely on different options, because rarely can one assessment paint a full picture. 

One of the most popular tests used to diagnose ADHD is the Quotient System. This ADHD testing for adults uses technology to measure:

• Your ability to stay on task
• How often you move or fidget
• How often you're distracted

To take the test, you sit at a computer and respond to the images you see in the way the test-giver asks you to respond. For example, you might be asked to press a button when you see one type of image but not when you see a similar one. A doctor, psychologist, or nurse can administer this test in about 20 minutes. Once you've completed the test, the system compares your results, both to people who have ADHD and people who don't, as well as people who have other conditions.

Continuing the process with ADHD

Even though this and certain other tests are reliable, testing is only a part of the diagnostic evaluation for ADHD in adults. In addition to the ADHD in adults test and the background information from the consultation, your doctor may want to know more about your medical history and current physical condition. So, they may ask you to have lab work done to aid them in the diagnosis as well as in creating a treatment plan. This is considered a full assessment.

Making a diagnosis for adult ADHD is a complex task. For one thing, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-V), usually used to diagnose ADHD and other conditions, focuses mainly on children in its ADHD guidelines. While adults with ADHD may have some common symptoms that are similar to children's, the disorder usually presents differently in adults. Where a child might jump and climb around the room when they need to sit still, an adult might merely stand up and walk around the room during an important meeting or find themselves fidgeting constantly. Because of this, your doctor may take several steps to ensure that your symptoms are because of ADHD rather than another related condition, as not everyone experiences ADHD (or any mental health condition) the same way.

What are the drawbacks of taking an adult ADHD test?

There are a few drawbacks to taking a free ADHD test at home. First, and perhaps most obviously, there are a lot of screening tests out there on the Internet, and not all of them are reliable. They may lead you down a false path of information that could cause you to misunderstand or overlook your symptoms. So, if you do take a screening test, make sure it's from a reputable source, and be sure to keep in mind that online tools aren’t replacements for a professional diagnosis. 

As for psychological testing for adult ADHD, the main disadvantage you might encounter is the cost associated with testing, especially if you don’t end up receiving a diagnosis. If you’re concerned about navigating the assessment process, it may be best to consult a doctor who may be able to list specific recommendations for addressing your symptoms in a way that works for your needs.

What if I still can't decide if I should get tested?

Even after reading about the basics of adult ADHD testing, you may still not know whether you want to take an ADHD test or not. It can be overwhelming to consider the results of an official screening regardless of what they are, and the nuance that goes into getting treatment may seem daunting.

If you think you might have ADHD, feeling doubt, confusion, and even concern about a potential diagnosis is understandable, but the benefits of receiving the treatment you may need are numerous. To help you work through the period prior to, during, and after receiving a mental health diagnosis, you may want to consider turning to a professional like a therapist. Speaking with a professional through online therapy can make getting insight and advice convenient and effective. You could try one-on-one therapy, or group settings with others living with ADHD.

Research suggests that online therapy has a lot of potential as a treatment option for ADHD symptoms, so even if you’re not looking to go through the screening process just yet, you might find that online therapy helps you manage some of your concerns. One study conducted in 2022 found that online therapy intervention can successfully improve ADHD-related symptoms for adults and children. Even if you don’t end up receiving an ADHD diagnosis, if you’re experiencing enough symptoms to pursue testing, it’s likely that you’ll stand to benefit from therapy, too.