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February 2, 2007, Newsletter Issue #56: Adult ADD ADHD Self Test
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Tip of the Week
Adult ADHD ADD Checklist General Adult ADHD Symptom Checklist
In conjunction with other diagnostic techniques the following general adult ADHD checklist helps further define ADHD symptoms. No ADHD adult has all of the symptoms, but if you notice a strong presence of more than 20 of these symptoms, there is a strong likelihood of ADHD.
Please read this list of behaviors and rate yourself (or the person who has asked you to rate him or her) on each behavior listed. Print the text below and then, using the following scale, and place the appropriate number next to the item. The scoring procedure is at the end of the test.
0 = Never 1 = Rarely 2 = Occasionally 3 = Frequently 4 = Very Frequently
IMPORTANT: This is not a tool for self-diagnosis. Its purpose is simply to help you determine whether ADHD may be a factor in the behavior of the person you are assessing using this checklist. An actual diagnosis can be made only by an experienced professional.
Past History
_____ History of ADHD symptoms in childhood, such as distractibility, short attention span, impulsiveness or restlessness. ADHD doesn´t start at age 30. _____ History of not living up to potential in school or work (report cards with comments such as not living up to potential) _____ History of frequent behavior problems in school (mostly for males) _____ History of bed-wetting past age 5 _____ Family history of ADD, learning problems, mood disorders or substance abuse problems Short Attention Span/Distractibility
_____ Short attention span, unless very interested in something _____ Easily distracted, tendency to drift away (although at times can be hyper focused) _____ Lacks attention to detail, due to distractibility _____ Trouble listening carefully to directions _____ Frequently misplaces things _____ Skips around while reading or goes to the end first, trouble staying on track _____ Difficulty learning new games because it is hard to stay on track during directions _____ Easily distracted during sex causing frequent breaks or turnoffs during love making _____ Poor listening skills _____ Tendency to be easily bored (tunes out) Restlessness
_____ Restlessness, constant motion, legs moving, fidgety _____ Has to be moving in order to think _____ Trouble sitting still, such as trouble sitting in one place for too long, sitting at a desk job for long periods, sitting through a movie _____ An internal sense of anxiety or nervousness Impulsiveness
_____ Impulsive in words and/or actions (spending) _____ Say just what comes to mind without considering its impact (tactless) _____ Trouble going through established channels, trouble following proper procedure, an attitude of, "Read the directions only if all else fails." _____ Impatient, low frustration tolerance _____ A prisoner of the moment _____ Frequent traffic violations _____ Frequent, impulsive job changes _____ Tendency to embarrass others _____ Lying or stealing on impulse Poor Organization
_____ Poor organization and planning, trouble maintaining an organized work/living area _____ Chronically late or chronically in a hurry _____ Often has piles of stuff _____ Easily overwhelmed by tasks of daily living _____ Poor financial management (late bills, checkbook a mess, spending unnecessary money on late fees) _____ Some adults with ADHD are very successful, but often only if they are surrounded with people who organize them. Problems Getting Started and Following Through
_____ Chronic procrastination or trouble getting started _____ Starting projects but not finishing them, poor follow through _____ Enthusiastic beginnings but poor endings _____ Spends excessive time at work because of inefficiencies _____ Inconsistent work performance Negative Internal Feelings
_____ Chronic sense of underachievement, feeling you should be much further along in your life _____ Chronic problems with self-esteem _____ Sense of impending doom _____ Mood swings _____ Negativity _____ Frequent feeling of demoralization or that things won´t work out for you Relational Difficulties
_____ Trouble sustaining friendships or intimate relationships, promiscuity _____ Trouble with intimacy _____ Tendency to be immature _____ Self-centered; immature interests _____ Failure to see others´ needs or activities as important _____ Lack of talking in a relationship _____ Verbally abusive to others _____ Proneness to hysterical outburst _____ Avoids group activities _____ Trouble with authority Short Fuse
_____ Quick responses to slights that are real or imagined _____ Rage outbursts, short fuse Frequent Search For High Stimulation
_____ Frequent search for high stimulation (bungee jumping, gambling, high stress jobs, ER doctors, doing many things at once, etc.) _____ Tendency to seek conflict, be argumentative or to start disagreements for the fun of it Tendency To Get Stuck (thoughts or behaviors)
_____ Tendency to worry needlessly and endlessly _____ Tendency toward addictions (food, alcohol, drugs, work) Switches Things Around
_____ Switches around numbers, letters or words _____ Turn words around in conversations Writing/Fine Motor Coordination Difficulties
_____ Poor writing skills (hard to get information from brain to pen) _____ Poor handwriting, often prints _____ Coordination difficulties The Harder I Try The Worse It Gets
_____ Performance becomes worse under pressure. _____ Test anxiety or during tests your mind tends to go blank _____ The harder you try, the worse it gets _____ Work or schoolwork deteriorates under pressure _____ Tendency to turn off or become stuck when asked questions in social situations _____ Falls asleep or becomes tired while reading Sleep/Wake Difficulties
_____ Difficulties falling asleep, may be due to too many thoughts at night _____ Difficulty coming awake (may need coffee or other stimulant or activity before feeling fully awake.) Low Energy
_____ Periods of low energy, especially early in the morning and in the afternoon _____ Frequently feeling tired Sensitive To Noise Or Touch
_____ Easily startled _____ Sensitive to touch, clothing, noise and light
When you have completed the above checklist, calculate the following:
Total Score: _______ Total Number of Items with a score of three (3) or more: _______ Score for Item #1: _______ Score for Item #6: _______ Score for Item #7: _______ More than 20 items with a score of three or more indicates a strong tendency toward ADHD. Items 1, 6, and 7 are essential to make the diagnosis.
The amino acids, vitamins and minerals required to produce the neuro-transmitters in sufficient quantities associated with ADD/ADHD are available in one multi-amino acid formula called beCALM'd. You can learn more about it by going to: http://www.adhd-becalmd.com/?id=10006
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