Adult ADHD Test
18 questions covering inattention + hyperactivity · DSM-5 framework · Free · Private · Instant results
Clinical disclaimer:This is a screening tool for educational purposes — not a clinical diagnosis. Only a licensed mental health professional or physician can diagnose ADHD. If you're experiencing significant distress or impairment, please consult a clinician.
I have trouble wrapping up the final details of a project once the challenging parts are done.
About this screening tool
This 18-question screening is modelled on the validated Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) framework developed in collaboration with the World Health Organization, with question structure adapted from the DSM-5 adult ADHD criteria. The screening covers all 9 inattention symptoms and all 9 hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms.
The result is broken into two sub-scores — inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity — because the symptom profile often weights heavily toward one or the other. Adults with predominantly inattentive presentation may score high on inattention and low on hyperactivity; the reverse is also common. Combined presentation shows elevation across both.
This is not a diagnostic instrument. ADHD diagnosis requires clinical evaluation, including ruling out other conditions that produce overlapping symptoms (anxiety, depression, trauma, sleep disorders, thyroid dysfunction). The screening is best used as a structured way to assess whether a clinical evaluation is warranted — not as a substitute for one.
Frequently asked questions
What is adult ADHD?
Adult ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) is a neurodevelopmental condition affecting roughly 4-5% of adults globally, though estimates suggest a significant proportion remain undiagnosed. The DSM-5 organises adult ADHD around two symptom clusters: inattention (difficulty sustaining focus, organisation problems, distractibility, forgetfulness, mind wandering) and hyperactivity-impulsivity (restlessness, talking excessively, impulsive decisions, difficulty waiting, feeling 'driven by a motor'). Adults can have predominantly inattentive presentation (formerly called ADD), predominantly hyperactive-impulsive presentation, or combined presentation. Unlike childhood ADHD where hyperactivity is often the most visible symptom, adult ADHD frequently presents primarily as inattention, executive dysfunction, and chronic disorganisation — which is partly why adult ADHD is often missed in people who didn't have a clear childhood diagnosis. The symptoms must have been present before age 12 (even if not diagnosed) and must cause meaningful impairment in multiple settings.
What are the DSM-5 criteria for adult ADHD?
The DSM-5 requires five or more symptoms of inattention OR five or more symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity (or both, for combined presentation), present for at least 6 months, with symptoms present before age 12, occurring in multiple settings (work, home, social), and causing significant impairment. Inattention criteria include: difficulty sustaining attention, careless mistakes, not following through on tasks, difficulty organising, avoiding tasks requiring sustained mental effort, losing items, distractibility, forgetfulness, and difficulty listening to others. Hyperactivity-impulsivity criteria include: fidgeting, leaving seat inappropriately, restlessness, difficulty being quiet, talking excessively, interrupting, difficulty waiting, blurting answers, and feeling 'driven by a motor.' The threshold is lower for adults (5 symptoms) than for children (6 symptoms), reflecting the way symptoms often decrease in visible intensity but remain functionally significant into adulthood.
Is adult ADHD treatable?
Yes — and adult ADHD is one of the more effectively treated psychiatric conditions when properly diagnosed. Treatment typically combines medication, behavioral support, and lifestyle adjustments. Stimulant medications (methylphenidate, amphetamine-based) are first-line and produce meaningful response in 70-80% of adults with ADHD. Non-stimulant options (atomoxetine, bupropion, guanfacine) are alternatives for people who can't tolerate or shouldn't take stimulants. CBT adapted for ADHD addresses executive function, time management, organisation systems, and the negative self-talk that often accumulates after years of unrecognised difficulty. Executive function coaching provides ongoing practical support. Lifestyle factors — exercise, sleep, structured routines, reduced novel stimulation during focus work — all support clinical response. Many adults describe the post-diagnosis period as the first time they understand that their lifelong patterns weren't character failings but a treatable neurobiological condition.
How is adult ADHD different from childhood ADHD?
The underlying neurobiology is the same, but the presentation often shifts. Hyperactivity in children frequently shows as physical movement — running, climbing, inability to sit still. In adults, that hyperactivity often becomes internal restlessness rather than external movement: feeling 'driven,' difficulty relaxing, constant background buzz of activity. Impulsivity in children might be interrupting and grabbing; in adults it tends to be impulsive decisions, impulsive speech, impulsive spending. Inattention in children might be obvious daydreaming; in adults it's often the harder-to-see pattern of starting projects with great enthusiasm and never finishing them, organising systems that collapse, or chronic lateness despite genuine effort. Adults have also typically developed coping strategies — sometimes brilliantly compensatory ones — that mask underlying ADHD until the demands of adulthood (career, parenting, financial management) exceed what the coping can hold. This is why many adults are diagnosed in their 30s and 40s rather than as children.
Can I have ADHD without hyperactivity?
Yes. This is the predominantly inattentive presentation (sometimes still informally called ADD). Adults with inattentive ADHD experience the executive function, attention, and organisation challenges without the visible hyperactivity. This presentation is particularly common in women, who tend to be underdiagnosed because the inattentive pattern is quieter and less disruptive than the hyperactive-impulsive pattern that gets noticed in school. Inattentive ADHD often shows as: chronic difficulty completing tasks once initial interest fades, time blindness (chronically late despite trying), losing track of belongings, mind wandering during conversations, deep difficulty with tedious or repetitive work, and significant executive function struggles in adulthood. The functional impact is often as significant as combined-presentation ADHD — it's just less visible from outside. If your responses on this screen are weighted heavily toward the inattention items, this presentation may be worth discussing with a clinician.