Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has hit the headlines recently thanks to celebrities like actress Sheridan Smith and singer Jessie J making public their diagnoses.
The chronic condition disrupts everyday life and manifests as carelessness, hyperactivity and impulsivity.
Adults with ADHD may have trouble sticking to tasks, concentrating on work, paying attention to others, and remembering obligations. This can cause a person to feel irritable, frustrated, and like they’re losing control.
On the basis that knowledge is power, US-based intuitive psychologist Dr Carmen Harra has put together the following quiz to help you understand if you could have ADHD.
Reflect on the questions below to find out if you should seek a professional assessment.
US-based psychologist Dr Carmen Harra has created a quiz to help you understand if you could have ADHD (stock photo)
1. The last time I forgot an important appointment or obligation was:
A. Within the past week.
B. Within the past month.
C. Within the past year.
D. More than a year ago.
2. Finish the following sentence. For me, tasks that require organization are ____.
A. Nearly impossible to complete.
B. Very difficult to complete.
C. Not that difficult to complete.
D. Enjoyable and easy to complete.
3 When I have to sit down for a long time, I start to feel restless and fidgety.
A. Strongly agree.
B. Somewhat agree.
C. Somewhat disagree.
D. Strongly disagree.
4. If I could compare my mind to one place or event, it would be:
A. A Formula One race—speed and adrenaline.
B. The Las Vegas strip—a lot to see and do.
C. The Amazon rainforest—balance and abundance.
D. A beach in the Maldives—tranquil and relaxed.
5. I make careless and avoidable mistakes.
A. Always.
B. Often.
C. Rarely.
D. Never.
ADHD sufferers can be very sensitive to noise and may struggle to tune in to a conversation if there are other conversations going on in the background (stock image)
6. When someone is talking to me:
A. I stop paying attention after the first few minutes.
B. I can pay attention, but become easily distracted.
C. I can pay attention, for a good period of time.
D. I can pay attention to the person until he or she is finished speaking.
7. When I find a chore boring or mundane, I lose focus easily. But when I find an activity interesting, I tend to hyperfocus.
A. Strongly agree.
B. Somewhat agree.
C. Somewhat disagree.
D. Strongly disagree.
8. I find that unwinding at the end of the day is:
A. Extremely hard – my motor is always running.
B. Hard – it takes me a long time to quiet my mind.
C. Fairly easy -it takes me a few minutes to feel at ease.
D. Extremely easy – I start to feel relaxed on my way home.
9. Finish the following sentence. Tasks that require a lot of thought, I ____.
A. Avoid at all costs.
B. Delay as much as possible.
C. Start on time.
D. Start straightaway.
10. I feel overactive.
A. Always.
B. Often.
C. Rarely.
D. Never.
11. I feel intense discomfort when I have to wait on a long line, wait my turn to be seen, or am stuck in a situation without activity.
A. Strongly agree.
B. Somewhat agree.
C. Somewhat disagree.
D. Strongly disagree.
12. I lose my patience and become angry, frustrated, or irritated:
A. Very quickly – it doesn’t take much to send me over the edge.
B. Quickly – I admit I don’t have much tolerance.
C. Slowly – I have a decent amount of tolerance.
D. Very slowly – it takes a lot to get me upset.
