Online ADHD Test

Thank you for taking our online ADHD test! Below is a little bit more information about ADHD as well as links to mental health professionals who can help you.

What is ADHD?

Attention Deficit / hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common mental health conditions that affects children. This mental health disorder affects a person by causing them to not be able to focus (inattention), excessive movement that does not fit the setting (hyperactivity), and hasty actions without thinking about them (impulsivity).

According to the American Psychiatry Association, an estimated 8.4% of children and 2.5% of adults have ADHD.

Besides genetics, some risk factors that scientists are studying include:

• Having Injuries to the brain
• Being born with a low birth weight
• Being exposed to dangerous elements while in your mother's womb, such as lead, or at a young age
• Drinking or drug use while you're pregnant
• Delivering your child prematurely

Types of ADHD

There are three main types of ADHD:

Predominantly Inattentive Presentation

In the predominantly inattentive presentation type, an affected person will find it difficult to finish tasks that they've been assigned, such as in school or at work. It is common for a person to struggle with paying attention to details and following instructions. An affected person with this type will forget details easily and be easily distracted.

Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Presentation

With predominantly hyperactive-impulsive presentation type, an affected person may talk excessively and may have a hard time sitting still. A younger person with this type often climbs, runs, and jumps more than normal.

Combined Presentation

The final type of ADHD is the combined presentation. This affected person will have a combination of both of the above equally.

Symptoms and Signs of ADHD

A person with ADHD might:

• Daydream more than usual
• Squirm around or move more than usual
• Talk more than usual, often finding it difficult to wait for others to speak
• Forget things more than usual
• Make careless mistakes often
• Take unnecessary risks
• Have a hard time getting along with others
• Interrupt others
• Find it difficult to study or focus on work
• Blurt out answers or in a meeting
• Have difficulty focusing on the task at hand
• Find difficulty in quiet settings

DSM-5 Diagnostic Criteria for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), or DSM-5, outlines that people with ADHD show a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that often interferes with their functioning or development. Here is the criteria for diagnosing ADHD listed on the DSM-5.

People with ADHD show a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity–impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development:

1. Inattention: Six or more symptoms of inattention for children up to age 16 years, or five or more for adolescents age 17 years and older and adults; symptoms of inattention have been present for at least 6 months, and they are inappropriate for developmental level:
   • Often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, at work, or with other activities.
   • Often has trouble holding attention on tasks or play activities.
   • Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly.
   • Often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace (e.g., loses focus, side-tracked).
   • Often has trouble organizing tasks and activities.
   • Often avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to do tasks that require mental effort over a long period of time (such as schoolwork or homework).
   • Often loses things necessary for tasks and activities (e.g. school materials, pencils, books, tools, wallets, keys, paperwork, eyeglasses, mobile telephones).
   • Is often easily distracted
   • Is often forgetful in daily activities.
2. Hyperactivity and Impulsivity: Six or more symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity for children up to age 16 years, or five or more for adolescents age 17 years and older and adults; symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity have been present for at least 6 months to an extent that is disruptive and inappropriate for the person’s developmental level:
   • Often fidgets with or taps hands or feet, or squirms in seat.
   • Often leaves seat in situations when remaining seated is expected.
   • Often runs about or climbs in situations where it is not appropriate (adolescents or adults may be limited to feeling restless).
   • Often unable to play or take part in leisure activities quietly.
   • Is often “on the go” acting as if “driven by a motor”.
   • Often talks excessively.
   • Often blurts out an answer before a question has been completed.
   • Often has trouble waiting their turn.
   • Often interrupts or intrudes on others (e.g., butts into conversations or games)

In addition, the following conditions must be met:

• Several inattentive or hyperactive-impulsive symptoms were present before age 12 years.
• Several symptoms are present in two or more settings, (such as at home, school or work; with friends or relatives; in other activities).
• There is clear evidence that the symptoms interfere with, or reduce the quality of, social, school, or work functioning.
• The symptoms are not better explained by another mental disorder (such as a mood disorder, anxiety disorder, dissociative disorder, or a personality disorder). The symptoms do not happen only during the course of schizophrenia or another psychotic disorder.

Based on the types of symptoms, three kinds (presentations) of ADHD can occur:

• Combined Presentation: if enough symptoms of both criteria inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity were present for the past 6 months
• Predominantly Inattentive Presentation: if enough symptoms of inattention, but not hyperactivity-impulsivity, were present for the past six months
• Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Presentation: if enough symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity, but not inattention, were present for the past six months.

Because symptoms can change over time, the presentation may change over time as well.

To diagnose an adult with ADHD (over the age of 17 years old), only 5 symptoms are needed instead of the 6 needed for children. In adults, hyperactivity might look different than in a child, such as extreme restlessness or wearing others out with their constant activity.

ADHD Treatment

ADHD can be treated with several methods including behavioral therapy and medication. According to Wendy Oliver-Pyatt, MD:

Among all psychiatric conditions, ADHD is the most observable in brain scans, proven to be very tied to the brain’s neurological pathways. It could almost be viewed as a neurologic condition rather than a psychiatric one, and ADHD sufferers generally get extraordinary results from treatment.

Medication is highly effective for treating ADHD, and our team treats this disorder in a holistic way that combines medication with support and training about how to handle some of the more problematic ADHD symptoms.

You’ll find our treatment approach creates profound changes in your life, how you feel about yourself, and your sense of what’s possible for you.

If you need help, there is hope! Reach out to a licensed mental health professional that treats ADHD.