ADHD Test for Adults

Can you ‘self test’ for ADHD?

Many people wonder if they can get tested for ADHD online. But while online tests can highlight potential symptoms, they're not enough to confirm an ADHD diagnosis. A proper diagnosis requires a thorough evaluation by a healthcare professional specialising in ADHD. However, the ASRS test above has been shown to have a high predictive value for diagnosis of ADHD.

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Are online ADHD tests accurate?

Online ADHD tests are convenient but offer a narrow view and can be influenced by your personal situation. For an accurate ADHD diagnosis, you need a trained medical professional. Some conditions can mimic ADHD symptoms, which means it’s crucial to consult a professional for a proper diagnosis. A full assessment includes evaluating your symptoms, medical and family history, and childhood, as well as excluding other health issues.

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What is the ASRS test?

The ASRS test is a tool created by the World Health Organization (WHO) to help screen adults for ADHD. It's called the WHO Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale v1.1 (ASRS v1.1) Part A and is the most widely used method internationally to initially identify possible ADHD in adults.

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What the ASRS doesn’t measure

The ASRS test doesn't cover everything needed to diagnose ADHD. Specifically, it doesn't check if the problems happen in multiple areas of life (like at work and home) or if symptoms have been present since childhood.

What the ASRS doesn't do:

Ask whether symptoms were present in childhood
Offer a complete view of someone's behaviour
Assess how the symptoms affect multiple areas of life
Provide enough evidence by itself for an ADHD diagnosis
Tell you what type of ADHD you might have

To get closer to whether ADHD is a possibility, consider:

Support from others who know you well, confirming your symptoms.
Evidence that these symptoms started in childhood.
Signs that these challenges show up in different parts of your life (for example, both at work and at home).
Ruling out other conditions that might explain your symptoms better (such as sleep problems, trauma, or anxiety).

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How is ADHD diagnosed?

ADHD is diagnosed by a specialist who looks at your life history, how you behave, and your symptoms. They'll talk with you in-depth and might use different tests to understand you better. In the UK, only trained doctors like psychiatrists or paediatricians can diagnose ADHD, following specific guidelines. They check if your symptoms match the ADHD criteria in medical books like the DSM-5 or ICD-10.

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The whole process usually takes about two hours and includes:

A detailed look at your symptoms and how they affect your life at school, work, and home.
Checking your medical history to see if ADHD signs were there when you were a child and to make sure other medical issues aren't causing your symptoms.
Getting reports from people who know you well, like teachers or family, about how you act and manage day-to-day.

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What are the ADHD types?

ADHD comes in three primary types, based on the symptoms a person experiences:

Inattentive ADHD (previously known as ADD)

People with this type mainly have trouble keeping their attention focused. They don’t struggle as much with hyperactivity (being restless and fidgeting).

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Common Symptoms:

Getting distracted easily or daydreaming a lot.
Finding it hard to listen, follow instructions, or finish work on time.
Putting off tasks and having trouble getting started or finishing them.
Struggling to organise tasks or manage their time well.

Hyperactive-Impulsive ADHD

This type is more about being very active and acting without thinking things through. Paying attention isn't as big of a problem.

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Common Symptoms:

Being very fidgety or restless, having a hard time staying still.
Jumping from one interest to another very quickly.
Doing things on impulse, like interrupting others or making quick decisions without much thought.

Combined ADHD

This is when someone has symptoms of both the inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive types. It can make everyday tasks more challenging.

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Common Symptoms:

Difficulty staying still and focusing during tasks or meetings.
Trouble keeping up with conversations or instructions.
Often speaking out or acting before it's their turn.

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Does ADHD always look the same?

Understanding ADHD as a spectrum emphasises that symptoms can manifest differently from one person to another. It's not a one-size-fits-all condition. For example, while one person with ADHD might fidget or have trouble staying seated, another might be constantly on the move. This variability means ADHD doesn't just present in a single way—what might be seen as "mild" in one person could be "severe" in another.

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This spectrum nature of ADHD highlights the complexity of diagnosing the condition, underscoring that it's not simply about being easily distracted or overly active. Each individual's experience with ADHD is unique, reflecting a range of symptoms and severities.

Can you hide or ‘mask’ ADHD symptoms?

Yes, many who have ADHD are very creative and can do well in school or work. They might hide their ADHD symptoms without even realising it. But even if they seem to be doing great, getting help for ADHD can help them do even better.

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Hiding or masking ADHD might lead to problems like feeling anxious, depressed, or not fitting in. Also, not knowing you have ADHD can increase the risk of problems like addiction. This shows why it's important to understand and address ADHD early on.

Can ADHD affect smart people?

ADHD can be harder to spot in people with high IQs. They often use their intelligence to find ways around their ADHD symptoms, so they might not even realise how much it's affecting them. These smart strategies can help them do well in work or school, but they might still not reach their full potential because of their ADHD.

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Because they're doing okay or even excelling, it might seem like they don't have ADHD, but they're just really good at managing it. This means they could be missing out on help that could make them do even better. Doctors know this and look more closely at smart people to see if their ADHD is being hidden by their clever ways of coping.

Can you be gifted and have ADHD?

Yes, individuals who are both exceptionally talented and face challenges like ADHD are known as "twice-exceptional" or 2e. This means they have extraordinary abilities alongside their struggles. Recognising and supporting 2e individuals, especially in understanding how their talents and ADHD interact, is gaining attention in both clinical and educational fields. This concept applies not just to ADHD but also to other neurodiverse conditions, such as Autism.

Why are ADHD diagnosis rates lower in females and minority groups?

ADHD affects both males and females, as well as people from all backgrounds. However, females and individuals from minority groups often have lower diagnosis rates. Their symptoms might not match the "classic" ADHD signs, such as hyperactivity. Instead, their symptoms might be subtler and go unnoticed, leading to a higher chance of being undiagnosed.

Free ADHD Test for Adults

Want to learn more about ADHD?

Adult ADHD Assessments

ADHD in children and teenagers

ADHD Assessments for children and teenagers

The evolution of ADHD

Watch our Clinic Director - Dr Alberto Pertusa’s presentation on ADHD at the Global Exchange Conference

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