The ADHD Questionnaire For Adults: What You Should Know
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is characterized as a developmental disorder associated with an ongoing pattern of inattention, hyperactivity, or impulsivity. As a form of neurodivergence, ADHD does not have a cure but can often be managed with support from a mental health professional.
Adults with ADHD often experience symptoms that begin before 12 and persist throughout their lives. However, some people experience mild symptoms early in life that go undiagnosed or do not interfere with functioning until later in life. For example, having a job that demands a lot of organizing and time management may suddenly be stressful for someone with undiagnosed ADHD. Such challenges may also make ADHD traits more apparent.
When undiagnosed and unaddressed, ADHD-related challenges may significantly interfere with a person's ability to function in various settings. Recognizing symptom indicators may be a helpful first step in seeking treatment to improve one's overall quality of life.
While the diagnosis of ADHD involves official testing, the ADHD questionnaire for adults can act as a screening tool alongside the diagnostic process. The questionnaire is a self-test that evaluates ADHD symptoms according to a list of criteria that can suggest the benefit of reaching out to a professional. Clinicians can also use the self-report scale to screen clients. When indicators of ADHD are present, it can serve as a starting point before additional testing and interviews.
The Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS)
The Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) symptom checklist was designed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Workgroup on Adult ADHD. Intended as a screening tool for the general population, it can be used for adults and adolescents. The online questionnaire provides results indicating whether further testing is recommended.
The ADHD test encompasses 18 questions that use the DSM-4 criteria, allowing a person to rate themselves on a scale according to its criteria. Questions can screen for factors relating to organization, impulsivity, forgetfulness, and memory (among other factors). Six of the questions are considered most predictive and consistent with core ADHD symptoms in adults. They include the following:
- "How often do you have difficulty getting things in order when you have to do a task that requires organization?"
- "How often do you have problems remembering appointments or obligations?"
- "How often do you feel overly active and compelled to do things, like you were driven by a motor?
The scale ranges from "never" to "very often," which establishes the frequency of occurrence and severity of impairment. Note that the DSM-4 has since been updated to the DSM-5.
Modified adult ADHD tests
Other questionnaires for screening ADHD have been adapted from the WHO ASRS screener. One shortened test can be found on the ADDitude Magazine site. It consists of six questions looking for "emotional dysregulation, disorganization, hypersensitivity, lack of productivity, poor memory, and struggles with money and work."
The article listing the questionnaire notes that while ADHD presents itself differently in adults, the diagnostic criteria don't differentiate between adult and childhood symptoms, which can potentially compromise the accuracy of an adult diagnosis. Many other modified questionnaires have been adapted from the WHO screener. When choosing which online ADHD test to take, find one created by qualified mental health professionals and established organizations.
Possible indicators of ADHD
For a diagnosis of ADHD, several symptoms must be present and interfere with functioning. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), the primary symptoms of adult inattention could include the following symptoms:
- Difficulty paying close attention to details
- Making mistakes that may be considered careless by others
- Difficulty paying attention on tasks that require sustained effort and attention, such as reading long documents
- Listening when someone is speaking to you directly
- Following instructions and finishing tasks
- Managing time and organizing tasks and activities
- Losing or misplacing objects like keys and phones
- Being easily distracted
- Difficulty remembering responsibilities like paying bills and going to appointments
Hyperactivity and impulsivity symptoms might include the following:
- Restlessness, or feeling or acting as if “driven by a motor”
- Fidgeting or tapping hands or feet
- Excessive talking
- Difficulty being able to do activities quietly
- Challenges answering questions before they are complete
- Difficulty waiting one's turn
- Interrupting or intruding on others
There are three subtypes of ADHD diagnosed in the DSM-5, including primarily inattentive (ADHD-PI), hyperactive-impulsive (ADHD-HI), and combined type. ADD is no longer a diagnostic label in the DSM-5.
A history of experiencing symptoms
According to the DSM-5 guidelines, ADHD can only be made if someone has experienced several symptoms of the three types of ADHD before the age of 12. As an adult, a person must have at least five symptoms of one or both types of ADHD in more than one setting, such as at work and in social or family gatherings.
If you believe you are living with ADHD, speak to a healthcare provider or mental health professional. They may evaluate your medical history and possible challenges with other concerns, such as substance use, as well as your history of behavior and difficulties in childhood. In some cases, a medical provider or other qualified professional may seek your permission to talk to others, such as family members.
Other conditions or symptoms, such as stress or depression, can exhibit similar symptoms to ADHD. Answering a questionnaire, while a helpful starting point, may not be enough on its own to establish the presence of the condition. However, it may be a validating tool for those who struggle to obtain an ADHD diagnosis due to barriers like stigma or lack of financial resources.
Support options
Learning to manage challenging mental health symptoms is often possible by meeting with a mental health professional. If you sense you could use the support of a therapist but have little time to attend in-person sessions, online therapy can be an accessible option. Platforms like BetterHelp may connect you with a licensed therapist from home or any location with an internet connection. You can also exchange messages with your therapist in-app, which may be helpful when sharing thoughts outside sessions.
One of the therapeutic approaches used by many therapists addressing symptoms of ADHD is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT may reduce core and emotional symptoms of ADHD, as well as symptoms of other conditions like anxiety and depression. A meta-analysis and systematic review that looked at online interventions for ADHD suggests that virtual therapy could be effective for addressing attention-deficit and social functioning in adults and children with ADHD. The meta-analysis evaluated six randomized controlled trials involving 261 people with the condition.
Takeaway
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a developmental disorder characterized by a pattern of inattention, hyperactivity, or impulsivity. The condition is also a form of neurodiversity, which is a term for a difference in cognitive and sensory functioning present from birth.
Adults with ADHD often experience symptoms that persist throughout their lives. When undiagnosed, unmanaged symptoms may interfere with a person's quality of life. Those with adult ADHD may have experienced mild symptoms early in life that went undiagnosed, or symptoms did not interfere with functioning until the demands of adulthood made them more apparent.
Recognizing possible indicators of ADHD symptoms from taking a questionnaire can be a helpful first step in finding support. Establishing the presence of ADHD often requires further testing by a qualified professional. If you believe you have ADHD, speak to a healthcare provider or mental health professional. They can evaluate your medical history and possibly rule out other conditions or concerns. Stress and depression, for example, can exhibit similar symptoms to ADHD.
Learning to manage stress and possible symptoms of ADHD may improve your mental health and well-being. If you sense that you might benefit from the support of a therapist and prefer to speak to someone online or by phone, online sessions can be an accessible option.
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