Think You Might Have ADHD? Take This 4-Minute Quiz

When you think of attention-deficit disorder (ADD), more commonly referred to as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), your mind probably goes straight to hyperactive schoolchildren. However, kids aren’t the only ones with this common condition. Adults can have it too.

A host of celebrities have shared that they have been diagnosed with ADHD. For example, Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles announced on X that she has ADHD and has taken medication for the condition since she was a child. Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine wrote in Additude Magazine that the ADHD he had as a child didn’t go away in adulthood. And “Dancing With the Stars” performer Karina Smirnoff told the Saturday Evening Post that she’s an adult with ADHD.

Unfortunately, too many adults with ADD/ADHD go undiagnosed and untreated. And this can have devastating lifelong consequences.

WHAT IS ADULT ADHD?

ADD/ADHD is a disorder that affects brain development. It typically begins in childhood and can persist into adulthood. It is associated with a short attention span and behavior issues that can interfere with school, work, and relationships.

It is estimated that 4.4% of American adults currently have ADD/ADHD, but experts suggest the condition is underreported in adults, so the number could be much higher.

This indicates that many adults are likely unaware that they have the condition and remain untreated. Having undiagnosed ADHD or untreated ADHD can lead to consequences that lower your quality of life and can keep you from reaching your potential.

ADULT ADD AND THE BRAIN

Individuals with ADD/ADHD are considered “neurodivergent.” Simply, this means their brains work differently than the brains of people who are “neurotypical.” A person who is neurotypical has healthy brain function.

The brain-imaging work using SPECT scans at Amen Clinics shows that children and adults with ADD/ADHD typically have low activity in an area of the brain called the prefrontal cortex (PFC). In particular, activity in the PFC decreases when people with the condition try to concentrate.

This is the opposite of what occurs in neurotypical individuals. In the healthy brain, concentration increases activity levels in the PFC.

Healthy SPECT Scan

ADD/ADHD SPECT Scan

In the ADD/ADHD SPECT scan here, the “holes” indicate areas of low blood flow and activity in the prefrontal cortex.

The PFC is responsible for planning, judgment, organization, follow-through, impulse control, empathy, and more. These are known as executive functions. When there is low activity in the PFC, people tend to have trouble with these functions.

10 ADULT ADHD SYMPTOMS

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms in adults range widely and include emotional and behavioral issues. Some of the most common ADD symptoms include the following:

1. Having a short attention span

A lack of focus is one of the hallmark symptoms of ADD/ADHD. In adults, this can include having a hard time with routine tasks, not paying attention to details, making careless mistakes, and having trouble staying focused in conversations.

If you have this brain-based disorder, you may start a lot of things but have difficulty completing them. Having a slew of unfinished projects lying around is a sign of adult ADD/ADHD.

2. Being disorganized

Adults with ADHD often have trouble keeping things organized. At work, you might have a hard time finding what you need to finish a task because your desk is messy, your computer files are scattered randomly, and your emails are unorganized. This can make projects seem more challenging and take longer to complete.

Disorganization also includes have trouble prioritizing assignments and keeping track of them. When you aren’t sure which task to tackle first, it can lead to procrastination.

3. Being easily distracted

Having adult ADD/ADHD makes you more likely to notice more things in your environment compared to others. This means you can be easily distracted by external stimuli, including sounds, lights, scents, touch, or some tastes.

For example, you may be overly aware of a tag in the back of your shirt, a flickering light, or a beeping noise. This acute sensitivity can prevent you from focusing on an important task at hand.

4. Having poor internal supervision

Many people with ADD struggle with impulse control and judgment. You may say or do things reflexively without thinking about the consequences of your actions. This can lead to problems at work, at home, and in relationships.

Another one of the common signs of adult ADHD is having a hard time learning from your mistakes. Making the same errors over and over is an indicator that you might have this condition.

5. Procrastinating and being chronically late

Individuals with ADHD often have trouble with time management. You may put things off until the last minute. For example, you may wait until the night before a project is due to start working on it.

ADHD adults are also notorious for being late for everything. Showing up 15 minutes, 30 minutes, or an hour late for work, appointments, and events is a red flag.

6. Being hyperfocused

Surprisingly, research shows that many adults with ADHD can achieve laser-like focus for certain things. In general, hyperfocus is more likely to occur when a person engages in something that they love to do or in things that are highly stimulating, frightening, fun, or novel.

When hyperfocused, people become completely absorbed in an activity and tune out everything else. In these instances, you may not notice external stimuli, such as your spouse asking you a question, the doorbell ringing, or your dog barking because they need to go outside.

7. Being forgetful

Forgetfulness is common in ADD/ADHD and can become a major issue on the job and in relationships. People with this condition often forget birthdays, anniversaries, and deadlines. You may leave your work materials at home or forget that it’s your day to pick up your child after school.

In some cases, forgetfulness may be related to distractibility. If you aren’t paying attention to what someone is saying to you, it’s going to be harder to remember what they said.

8. Lacking motivation

Some types of ADD/ADHD are associated with low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which is heavily involved in motivation. Because of this, adults with this disorder may feel unmotivated. This can hold you back in your career and in other areas of your life.

9. Low self-esteem

Self-doubt and a lack of confidence are common in people with ADD/ADHD. In part, this may come from growing up with people talking about you in a negative way due to your symptoms.

Many ADHD types grow up hearing people say that they are “lazy,” “dumb,” or “troublemakers.” Thse hurtful comments can have lasting repercussions on a person’s self-image.

10. Misusing substances

Adults with ADD/ADHD are at a greater risk for substance use disorders compared with people who don’t have the condition, according to research. If you turn to alcohol, marijuana, nicotine, or other substances to self-medicate or to improve focus, it’s a problem.

SEEKING AN ADULT ADHD DIAGNOSIS

Adults who suspect they may have the condition often wait to seek help. At Amen Clinics, which has helped tens of thousands of mental health patients over the past 30-plus years, adults typically don’t get diagnosed with ADD until they are experiencing the following:

• Concerns about a child with ADD/ADHD: Most adult patients at Amen Clinics are only diagnosed with ADHD after they bring in one of their children for an evaluation. During a thorough history, the child psychiatrists at Amen Clinics always ask about family history. Through these questions, many parents discover that they have the same symptoms of ADD/ADHD as their children.
• Poor work performance: Adults may wait to seek an evaluation until they’re having problems at work. They may be passed over for promotions, demoted, or at risk of getting fired.
• Emotional, cognitive, or behavioral issues: Many people seek help only after they have been suffering from problems, such as moodiness, chronic anxiety, restlessness, addictions, uncontrolled anger, marital problems, financial problems, or impulse control problems.

Being diagnosed with ADD/ADHD as an adult can be life-changing. It can help you understand that your issues aren’t due to a character flaw or lack of willpower, but rather related to your brain function. This can be very powerful in helping you reduce feelings of shame and enhance your self-image.

WHO CAN PERFORM ADHD TESTING, PARTICULARLY FOR ADULTS?

If you suspect you may have problems with focus and attention, it’s important to know who can test for ADHD.

A variety of healthcare professionals are qualified to screen for ADHD in adults, including:

• Psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists, and other mental health professionals
• Primary care providers, internists, and family practice physicians
• Physician assistants, nurse practitioners, social workers, and other licensed healthcare professionals

ADHD SCREENING TESTS

What ADHD screening tests, self-assessments, and diagnostic tools are available? If you’re wondering how to get screened for ADHD, be aware that there are many diagnostic tools available for adult ADHD, such as:

• Symptom checklists and behavior rating scales:

  These ADHD self-assessment tools help medical and/or mental health professionals understand signs that are associated with the condition.

• Detailed history:

  One aspect of screening for ADHD involves a deep dive into your past—focusing on your symptoms and behaviors, not just now, but also throughout your lifetime.

• Conner’s Continuous Performance Test (C-CPT):

  This online ADHD screening quiz tests your ability to maintain focus. It takes about 15-minutes to complete.

• Online adult ADHD quiz:

  If you’re interested in knowing how to self-diagnose ADHD, this may be an option for you. Renowned psychiatrist, founder of Amen Clinics, and author of Healing ADD, Daniel Amen has created an ADD/ADHD Quiz for adults that offers meaningful insights about your risk for the condition. This confidential online ADHD quiz takes just 4 minutes. It also provides detailed information about the various types of ADD. Based on over 250,000 brain scans, the mental health professionals at Amen Clinics have identified 7 types of ADHD.

• Functional brain imaging:

  For over 30 years, Amen Clinics has been using a functional brain-imaging technology called single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) that measures blood flow and activity in the brain. The mental health professionals have found that certain brain activity patterns are associated with ADHD. Getting a brain scan can help determine if you have ADHD and if so, which type you have.

What is ADHD testing like? Screening for ADHD is simple. It may involve describing your current and past symptoms and taking computerized tests. At advanced mental health clinics, such as Amen Clinics, it also includes brain imaging with SPECT.

WHERE CAN YOU GET TESTED FOR ADHD?

For many adults, ADHD testing may take place in your healthcare provider’s office. You can begin by visiting your primary care physician or asking them for a referral to a mental health professional.

If you want the most state-of-the-art diagnostic tools, look for a mental health provider who offers brain scans as part of a complete ADHD evaluation. Or, if you prefer to start with a confidential ADHD test, you can opt for an online quiz that you can take in the comfort of your own home.

HOW LONG DOES ADHD TESTING TAKE?

Some ADHD screening tools take only minutes to complete. However, a comprehensive evaluation that includes a detailed personal history as well as neuropsychological testing can take several hours.

If brain imaging is included, this will usually take longer. At Amen Clinics, ADHD evaluations typically involve 2 SPECT scan studies—one taken at rest and one taken during a concentration task.

This is important because in people with ADHD, blood flow to a brain region called the prefrontal cortex decreases during concentration. This telltale sign of ADD/ADHD helps psychiatrists understand if inattention is due to the condition as opposed to other possible causes.

If your healthcare provider determines that you require further testing, such as lab tests or blood work, it may take several days or weeks to complete.

ADULT ADHD TREATMENT

If you are diagnosed with ADHD, be aware that in some cases, treatment may involve stimulant medication. However, stimulants aren’t right for all types of ADHD and many people see improvement with natural treatments for ADD/ADHD. Finding what’s most effective for you and your ADHD type is the key.

ADD/ADHD and other mental health issues can’t wait. At Amen Clinics, we’re here for you. We offer in-clinic brain scanning and appointments, as well as mental telehealth, clinical evaluations, and therapy for adults, teens, children, and couples. Find out more by speaking to a specialist today at 888-288-9834 or visit our contact page here.

Reviewed by Amen Clinics Inc. Clinicians 

Founded in 1989 by double-board certified psychiatrist and neuroscientist Daniel G. Amen, MD, Amen Clinics Inc. (ACI) is known as the best brain and mental health company in the world. Our clinical staff includes over 50 healthcare specialists, including adult and child psychiatrists, integrative (functional) medicine physicians, naturopaths, addiction specialists, forensic psychiatrists, geriatric psychiatrists, nutritionists, licensed therapists, and more.

Our clinicians have all been hand-selected and personally trained by Dr. Amen, whose mission is to end mental illness by creating a revolution in brain health. Over the last 30-plus years, ACI has built the world’s largest database of functional brain scans—over 250,000 SPECT scans on patients from 155 countries—related to how people think, feel, and behave

Dr. Amen is also the founder of BrainMD, a fast growing, science-based nutraceutical company, and Amen University, which has trained thousands of medical and mental health professionals on the methods he has developed.

In addition, he has produced 16 national public television shows about the brain and his online videos on brain and mental health have been viewed over 300 million times. Dr. Amen is a 12-time New York Times bestselling author, including Change Your Brain, Change Your Life; The End of Mental Illness; Healing ADD; and many more. Hist latest book, Raising Mentally Strong Kids, was published March 2024.