Many Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder don't know they have it. Imagine the frustration of dealing with something that could cause you a lot of problems in life, but you don't know what it is, so you don't know how to deal with it.

Here's a simple Adult ADHD 3 page Screening Tool from Harvard University, New York University and The W.H.O. (World Health Organization) and the Workgroup on Adult ADHD that you can complete in 5 minutes. (Used with permission)

It's not designed to diagnose if you have ADHD, for that you need a clinical diagnosis.

I have a list of Vancouver area medical professionals known to diagnose ADHD. If you live outside of Vancouver, contact your local ADHD support group to find out who can diagnose you in your area. Check my list of Canadian ADHD support groups or try my list of US and International ADHD support groups

Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS-v1.1) Symptom Checklist.

Adult ADHD Screening Test.pdf

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Make sure the person you see for the diagnosis is knowledgeable and experienced enough to actually diagnose ADHD in Adults!!! Do NOT assume this is always so.

"A 2004 survey of 50 psychiatrists and 50 primary care practitioners (PCPs) reviewed 537 and 317 medical records, respectively, of ADHD-diagnosed adults...Among patients who had no prior diagnosis, 56% complained about ADHD symptoms to other health professionals without being diagnosed. PCPs were the least aggressive in diagnosing ADHD."

I've lost track of how many people I've personally known who have told their health care professional they "thought they might have ADD" and were quickly dismissed (often rudely so) and later (sometimes 10 years later) saw an experienced professional and got diagnosed with ADD.

Most of the medical professionals that do know ADHD have usually gone out of their way in time and money to learn about ADHD to their credit and hopefully our gratitude.

What it is designed to do is to let you know if you have some of the symptoms of ADHD. If you do, then you could go to your family doctor, psychologist or psychiatrist to get a proper clinical diagnosis, since there are other conditions that can be similar to ADHD.

If you suspect you have Attention Deficit Disorder, or you know someone that might have it, taking this test would be a good way to start finding out.

Background on the Adult ADHD Symptom Checklist

"The questions are designed to stimulate dialogue between you and your patients and to help confirm if they may be suffering from the symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)". It's free.

Creators

"The Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS-v1.1) Symptom Checklist was developed in conjunction with the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Workgroup on Adult ADHD that included the following team of psychiatrists and researchers:

• Lenard Adler, MD Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Neurology New York University Medical School

• Ronald C. Kessler, PhD Professor, Department of Health Care Policy Harvard Medical School

• Thomas Spencer, MD Associate Professor of Psychiatry Harvard Medical School"

Purpose

"As a healthcare professional, you can use the ASRS v1.1 as a tool to help screen for ADHD in adult patients. Insights gained through this screening may suggest the need for a more in-depth clinician interview.

The questions in the ASRS v1.1 are consistent with DSM-IV criteria and address the manifestations of ADHD symptoms in adults. Content of the questionnaire also reflects the importance that DSM-IV places on symptoms, impairments, and history for a correct diagnosis.

The checklist takes about 5 minutes to complete and can provide information that is critical to supplement the diagnostic process. "

The Value of Screening for Adults With ADHD

"Research suggests that the symptoms of ADHD can persist into adulthood, having a significant impact on the relationships, careers, and even the personal safety of your patients who may suffer from it.

Because this disorder is often misunderstood, many people who have it do not receive appropriate treatment and, as a result, may never reach their full potential. Part of the problem is that it can be difficult to diagnose, particularly in adults."

Unfortunately, there are many medical professionals that should know enough about ADD to diagnose and treat it but don't. In some cases they may deny that ADD exists in adults or they may believe myths about ADD i.e., if you did well in school you can't have ADD. I personally know people that have gone to their doctor, psychiatrist or psychologist believing they might have ADD, seeking help only to be ignored or dismissed because they were ignorant about what ADD was and acted on ignorance assuming to be knowledge. These people were later diagnosed with ADD by people who were knowledgeable and had experience with it.

How many years of needless suffering did they endure as a result of someone else's ignorance and denial of their ignorance? Why does this still continue to this day?

So when you do see someone for a diagnosis make sure it's someone that know's enough about ADD and possible associated comorbid conditions and has enough experience with ADD to do so. There are other condition that may look like ADD but are not so a good diagnosis is critical.

Diagnosing Professionals’ Credentials

The following 2 paragraphs are from the University of Delaware's

ADHD DOCUMENTATION GUIDELINES FOR THE DIAGNOSING PROFESSIONAL

The following professionals are generally considered qualified to evaluate and diagnose ADHD as long as they have comprehensive training in the differential diagnosis of ADHD and direct experience with an adolescent or adult ADHD population:

· Licensed/certified psychologist;
· Certified school psychologist in the student’s school system;
· Qualified medical specialist (e.g., psychiatrist, neuropsychiatrist, developmental pediatrician, neurologist or other relevantly trained medical doctor
(ie your family doctor);
· Licensed Clinical Social Worker

If you do have Adult ADHD, you might consider Adult ADHD Coaching to deal with the practical day to day challenges of having ADHD.

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