January 27, 2006, Newsletter Issue #7: Adult ADHD ADD Checklist

Tip of the Week

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


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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.

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