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Adult self-check: could it be ADHD?

A short checklist to help you decide whether to talk to a doctor. It is not a test and cannot diagnose ADHD. Your answers stay on your device; nothing is sent.

How often does each of these happen to you?

I get distracted easily, even when I am trying to focus.
I forget appointments, tasks or where I put things.
I find it hard to plan my time or finish what I start.
I find it hard to follow long instructions or conversations.
I lose everyday items such as keys, documents or my phone.
I feel restless, or find it hard to sit still.
I talk a lot, or interrupt other people.
I make quick decisions without thinking about the consequences.
Did these start in childhood, before about age 12?
Do they cause problems at work, in your studies or in relationships?

For a validated screening questionnaire, see the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS v1.1), free from Harvard Medical School, in English and other languages.2

Where this information comes from

  1. NHS (UK National Health Service). "ADHD in adults."
  2. Harvard Medical School, National Comorbidity Survey. "Adult ADHD Self-Report Scales (ASRS)." The 6-question screener is free to use; it is a screening tool, not a diagnosis.