The Qb Test: ADHD Diagnosis In Focus
If you’ve been asked to undergo testing for ADHD, you may have taken an evaluation called a QbTest. This is generally a procedure designed to gather data on your symptoms and help your doctor make a diagnosis. You can’t fail a QbTest, and it’s often just one part of the diagnostic process. It usually involves pushing a button each time certain symbols appear on a computer screen. Regardless of the results of the test, working with a therapist and making lifestyle adjustments may help you manage any symptoms impacting your daily life.
An overview of ADHD
To understand the role of the QbTest in diagnosing ADHD, it can be important to understand ADHD itself. Also known as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, ADHD is a condition that can affect executive functioning. This can be thought of as the brain’s ability to do things like multitask, control urges, and solve problems.
People with ADHD often have differences in certain areas of the brain related to these functions. They may also experience differences in dopamine levels, which typically play a role in emotions, motivation, and pleasure.
There are three general types of ADHD symptoms: impulsivity, hyperactivity, and inattentiveness.
Impulsivity usually means having trouble controlling your urges and thinking before you act. In ADHD, this can look like:
- Interrupting others
- Having trouble waiting your turn
- Blurting things out without thinking first
- Engaging in risky or reckless behaviors, like unsafe sex or substance misuse
Hyperactivity, meanwhile, can refer to movement or activity that is excessive or hard to control. Some examples include the following:
- Squirming or fidgeting
- Struggling to relax
- Constantly moving around or feeling like you must be doing something
- Talking too much or dominating conversations
Finally, inattentiveness in ADHD usually centers on challenges related to attention and focus, such as those listed below:
- Struggling to concentrate, especially on repetitive or uninteresting tasks
- Frequently losing or forgetting things
- Struggling to stay organized and manage your time
- Overlooking or missing important details on school or work tasks
The type of ADHD a person is diagnosed with (inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive, or combined) typically depends on which type of symptoms they experience the most.
The ways ADHD symptoms manifest can depend on various factors. Generally speaking, girls tend to have more symptoms of the inattentive form of ADHD, while boys often show more symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity. Some people’s symptoms may also become less obvious as they get older and develop coping strategies, although this can be highly individual.
What’s involved in an ADHD diagnosis?
The diagnosis and treatment of ADHD can be complicated, especially since the disorder can look different depending on things like sex and age.
If you show signs of ADHD, your doctor may do an initial screening by asking you questions about your symptoms and how they are affecting your life. Depending on those results, they may decide to have you undergo a more detailed ADHD test. During the evaluation, a trained professional may:
- Interview you or your loved ones about your behavior
- Have you use rating scales to evaluate your symptoms
- Observe you as you perform real-life tasks, such as schoolwork
- Review your work or academic performance
Your provider may also decide to have you undergo psychological testing. These tests are usually designed to gather objective data on your learning abilities, emotions, and brain functions (such as planning, organization, and working memory).
Understanding the QbTest
All of this brings us back to the QBTest, a tool that may be used as part of the ADHD screening process. Developed by the brand Qbtech, it can be defined as a psychological test aiming to provide objective measures of the three core symptoms of ADHD: restlessness, impulsiveness, and distractibility.
The QbTest usually involves wearing a special headband while looking at a computer screen. Shapes and symbols will appear on the screen at random times, and you will be instructed to push a button each time certain symbols appear. Your attention and impulsiveness will be measured based on how accurately you flag the correct symbols. As you perform the test, a camera will also monitor your movements to look for signs of hyperactivity. This process usually takes around 20 minutes.
Once you’ve completed the test, your doctor will usually receive a report comparing your data with data from people of the same sex and age who don’t have ADHD. Keep in mind that there is no “passing” or “failing” a QbTest. Rather, your results generally serve to help your doctor determine whether you have ADHD, and if so, which type.
I’ve taken the QbTest: What happens next?
Depending on the results of your test and other screenings, a few things may happen. Your doctor may determine that you don’t have ADHD. In this case, they may decide to screen you for other conditions that can cause similar symptoms, like anxiety, depression, or a sleep disorder.
On the other hand, if your doctor finds that you do meet the criteria for ADHD, they may recommend a treatment plan that considers your age, symptoms, and ADHD type. This may involve a combination of treatments, such as:
- Prescribed medication
- ADHD coaching and education
- Social skills training
- Lifestyle changes (such as eating habit modifications or changes in sleep habits)
Alongside medication, therapy is often considered a first-line treatment for ADHD. By working with a therapist, you may be able to develop more effective time management, organization, impulse control, and concentration skills. A therapist may also be able to support you if your symptoms are caused by a different mental health condition.
If you’re living with ADHD, you may find that it’s hard to manage the logistics of commuting to a therapist’s office. If so, you might benefit from online therapy. Because you can receive internet-based ADHD counseling from your own home, it may be a more convenient option for those who struggle with organization or time management.
Online treatments can effectively reduce ADHD symptoms. In a 2022 literature review, researchers analyzed six studies of 261 patients with ADHD. They found that online ADHD interventions usually led to improvements in social function and attention.
Takeaway
Because ADHD symptoms can look different depending on gender, age, and other factors, screening for the disorder can be a complicated process. Alongside interviews and self-assessments, your doctor may also want you to take psychological tests to evaluate your cognitive function and ensure diagnostic accuracy. The QbTest is one such test that typically involves looking at a computer while clicking a button as symbols appear on the screen. With this test, ADHD symptoms like restlessness, impulsiveness, and distractibility may be easier for your doctor to spot. This can be useful for diagnosing ADHD and designing a treatment plan that fits your needs. Treatment can involve a combination of medication, online or in-person therapy, and lifestyle changes.
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