Free ADHD test for adults

What is the test based on?

The first six questions are reworded from the short screen of the World Health Organization’s adult ADHD self-report scale, often called the ASRS [3]. Its authors picked those six from the full 18-question scale. In their study, the six-question version matched clinicians’ ratings better than the full scale did [3]. The six ask about finishing tasks, getting organised, remembering appointments, putting off tasks that need a lot of thought, fidgeting and feeling driven by a motor.

The other six ask about focus in groups, a cluttered mind, acting without thinking, irritability, mood swings and missing parts of conversations. Those six aren’t part of that scale, and the test adds all 12 answers into one score. So nobody has studied this exact version as a single test.

What does my result mean?

Your result places you in one of three bands: minimal, moderate or strong ADHD traits. A low band doesn’t rule ADHD out, and a high band isn’t a diagnosis.

In our clinicians’ view, many adults have spent years coping with lists, reminders or sheer extra effort. That can make traits harder to spot in yourself, and push a score down. The NHS says ADHD may be recognised less often in women, because inattentive symptoms can be harder to notice [5].

Other conditions can look like ADHD. The NHS says a GP looking into ADHD may also consider other causes, such as autism, Tourette’s or anxiety [5]. It also says anxiety and depression can make ADHD symptoms worse [5]. A questionnaire can’t tell these apart, but a full assessment can.

Could it be ADHD, autism or both?

ADHD and autism can overlap, and ADHD is more common in autistic people [6]. This test looks at ADHD traits only, so it can’t tell you anything about autism. If you recognise both, our free AuDHD test asks about both in one screen. Our free autism test asks about autism alone.

AuDHD Psychiatry offers three assessments for adults:

• An adult ADHD assessment is one appointment.
• An adult autism assessment is two appointments: the assessment, and an interview with someone who knows you well. We can still assess you if there’s no one who can take part.
• The AuDHD assessment looks at both together in three appointments: an ADHD assessment, an autism assessment and an interview with someone close to you.

What should I do after the test?

Whatever your band, you can discuss your result on a free 15-minute call. It’s an information call, not an assessment. We assess people living in the UK. If you want an assessment, your first appointment is usually within 7 days. You’ll find the price of each assessment on our fees page.

On the NHS, your GP decides whether to refer you for an assessment. In England, Right to Choose lets you name the NHS-contracted provider your GP refers you to. AuDHD Psychiatry isn’t a Right to Choose provider and hasn’t applied to become one. You can read more about Right to Choose for ADHD.

NICE guidance says ADHD should never be diagnosed from a rating scale alone, though rating scales are useful added tools [4]. A full assessment asks about your history, including childhood and school, and may include talking to someone who knows you well [5].