Finding the Right "Do I Have ADHD" Quiz

Over the past generation, the global mental health community has worked especially hard to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health disorders and those living with them. Because of this, conditions such as adult ADHD have become much more normalized, and the increase in conversation surrounding adult ADHD has led many to recognize potential symptoms in their behaviors which may warrant a screening.

It could be a friend's post on social media about having a hundred tabs open on your browser at once.

Maybe your significant other called attention to your habit of interrupting people during conversations or switching suddenly between topics.

Maybe, for example, you constantly lose your car keys, your backup car keys, and your backup, backup car keys.

No matter what motivated you to begin researching ADHD tests, it's essential that you get a clear understanding of the disorder, how testing works, and whether you should consult a psychiatrist.

In this article, we'll coach you through finding the best "Do I have ADHD" quiz available. Then, it's up to you to determine what comes next.

ADHD Testing for Adults: Why It Matters

Just like an ADHD diagnosis for children can help prepare them for success in school and friendships, an ADHD assessment for adults can identify areas of your life that may benefit from treatment or therapy. Often, symptoms of adult ADHD are mislabeled as other mental or emotional disorders or overlooked altogether. For example, an adult with ADHD might struggle to maintain healthy relationships or recognize social cues in different situations.

By taking an ADHD test for adults and potentially being diagnosed with the disorder, you can support in the areas you need to begin addressing your symptoms and improving your quality of life.

What Is ADHD?

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, is one of the most common mental health disorders in the world, affecting millions of children and adults worldwide. For childhood and adult ADHD, symptoms can adversely impact education, relationship building, and success in the workplace.

Although the vast majority of ADHD cases are diagnosed in children, many adults go undiagnosed until much later. Some modern scientific research indicates that some adults may develop ADHD past childhood, though this is thought to happen rarely, if ever.

ADHD Presentations

The World Health Organization and other sources outline ADHD as having three primary presentations. These presentations are defined by the type of symptoms experienced and are used by a mental health professional to provide an accurate diagnosis and design a treatment plan. The three ADHD presentations are:

Predominantly INATTENTIVE

People with ADHD that has been classified as predominantly inattentive may have difficulty concentrating or remaining focused on a specific task for an extended period. These people may also be more forgetful and have trouble following conversations. Other symptoms may include:

• Swapping from one task to another
• Careless mistakes
• Lack of focus
• Intrusive, unrelated thoughts

Hyperactive-Impulsive

Individuals with primarily hyperactive-impulsive ADHD may constantly feel restless, have difficulty unwinding, or interrupt others frequently during conversation. Hyperactive-impulse presentations are generally accompanied by more physical signs than inattentive presentations. Other symptoms may include:

• Inability to remain seated
• Impatience during leisurely activities
• Abrupt changes in conversation
• Decreased fine motor skills
• Difficulty waiting

Combined

With a combined presentation of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, an individual may display both hyperactivity and inattentive symptoms, though the balance between the two presentations differs depending on the individual.

Benefits of an ADHD Test for Adults

While a self-administered ADHD test is in no way a replacement for a full assessment by a licensed healthcare provider, it can nonetheless provide numerous benefits and insights as you decide whether to seek a formal ADHD screening. If you choose to take an ADHD test, you'll give yourself the following:

Treatment Options

With modern medicine, the available treatments and therapies for adults with ADHD are far more diverse than in previous generations. A mental health professional may suggest a specific treatment depending on your medical history, age, and symptoms. These treatments may involve:

• Behavioral Therapy: Sometimes, symptoms of ADHD can be managed through therapy and at-home behavioral therapies. This type of treatment trains your brain to identify harmful behaviors or thoughts, then allows you to redirect or curb those behaviors.
• Stimulants: A standard therapy for adult ADHD, stimulants provide a calming, focusing effect for many people with the disorder.
• Non-Stimulants: Not everyone reacts well to stimulants. In these cases--or if your doctor believes that non-stimulants may be a better option--you may be prescribed non-stimulants to manage your mood and behaviors.
• Combination Therapy: Rarely, some individuals with ADHD may experience adverse side effects from solely stimulants or non-stimulants, but no symptoms when the two are carefully combined. In these cases, combination therapy is used.

Improved Self-Awareness

Even without a formal diagnosis, completing a high-quality ADHD test can answer any questions you might have about yourself, your personality, and why you are the way you are. If you're concerned that you may have ADHD or another mental health disorder, an online assessment offers guidance and structure as you describe your worries clearly and objectively.

Even if you choose not to move forward and consult a physician, greater self-awareness can often provide significant peace of mind.

More Accurate ADHD Diagnoses

If you decide to contact a mental health professional after this process is complete, having a clear set of potential symptoms can help them more effectively diagnose ADHD. Although your doctor needs to perform a complete screening in a clinical setting, it nonetheless helps to provide your personal observations of your behavior and how they might be relevant to an ADHD diagnosis.

How to Take an Online ADHD Test

For many of us, taking an ADHD may be daunting. Even so, there are some essential factors to remember as you go into your test that may put you at ease and increase your chances of a positive outcome.

Find a Reputable Test

One thing to note is that no matter how high their quality, no self-test can be realistically expected to replace a clinical ADHD test. Still, finding a test to answer some of your questions is possible.

When researching ADHD tests, always check that their information matches the research distributed by reliable, unbiased sources such as the World Health Organization.

Read Through the Instructions

Many ADHD self-assessments will have specific rules and guidelines for how they should be performed. If you rush through and fail to read the instructions of your chosen test thoroughly, you may have difficulty answering properly.

Answer Questions Honestly

Your ADHD test is for your eyes only unless you choose otherwise. Please remember this as you answer its questions, and please remember that your results will only be effective if you respond honestly and openly. Shame or embarrassment, no matter how small, will delay progress.

Reflect on Your Results

Before you make any appointments with a therapist or primary care doctor, please take the time you need to sit and reflect on your test results. Diagnosis of any mental health condition is a significant personal change.

Potential Outcomes of an ADHD Test

Depending on the outcome of your self-assessment, you may be met with one of two outcomes, and each requires its own set of follow-up actions.

ADHD Diagnosis

If you obtain a preliminary ADHD diagnosis, consider contacting your primary physician to schedule an appointment. While they might diagnose your ADHD themselves, they may also schedule time for you to speak with a specialist.

No ADHD Diagnosis

If you receive a negative preliminary ADHD diagnosis, you may want to contact a mental health specialist anyway. Even if you do not have ADHD, you may still have symptoms of another mental disorder that could benefit from intervention. Additionally, a medical health professional can conduct another test in a clinical environment to confirm your negative preliminary results.

Final Notes on ADHD Testing

No matter your age, symptoms, or lifestyle, a high-quality ADHD self-assessment can provide peace of mind, help determine the next steps, and prepare you for an eventual formal diagnosis. If you have concerns about your own mental health or the mental health of a loved one, it is worth your time to find a reliable, research-backed test.

Even so, unless your online assessment is accompanied by the oversight of a trained mental health professional, it cannot replace a proper clinical ADHD diagnosis. This type of testing is the beginning of your journey toward better mental health-not the end.