ADHD Test for Adults: Do I Have Attention Deficit?

Do you struggle to concentrate, finish few of the things you start and feel an inner motor that never switches off? Adult ADHD goes unnoticed for years because it gets mistaken for absent-mindedness, laziness or anxiety. This test helps you put a name to what is happening in five minutes, with no sign-up and without sending your answers to any server.

What is ADHD in adults?

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects the so-called executive functions: the ability to direct attention, organise, plan, regulate emotions and inhibit impulses. For decades it was considered a childhood-only problem, but we now know that between 50% and 65% of children with ADHD continue to have significant symptoms in adulthood, and that roughly 2.5% of adults meet diagnostic criteria.

In adults, ADHD rarely looks like the child who cannot sit still. Motor hyperactivity usually turns into inner restlessness, talking a lot or a constant need for stimulation, while inattention shows up as chronic disorganisation, forgetfulness, procrastination and difficulty finishing what has been started. Many people reach a diagnosis after the age of 30 or 40, after years of feeling "lazy", "chaotic" or "immature" without understanding why effort alone was never enough.

ADHD has nothing to do with intelligence or upbringing. It has a strong genetic basis (heritability is estimated at around 70-80%) and is associated with differences in the dopamine and noradrenaline brain circuits that regulate motivation and attention.

Symptoms of adult ADHD: inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity

The DSM-5 groups symptoms into two dimensions. For a diagnosis in people over 17, at least five symptoms from one dimension are required, present for a minimum of six months, with onset before the age of 12 and an impact on two or more settings (work, home, relationships).

Inattention symptoms

• Careless mistakes and difficulty attending to details.
• Trouble sustaining attention in long tasks, meetings or reading.
• A sense of "not listening" when spoken to.
• Difficulty following instructions and finishing tasks.
• Disorganisation, poor time management and missed deadlines.
• Avoidance of tasks that require sustained mental effort.
• Frequently losing things.
• Distraction by external stimuli or one's own thoughts.
• Forgetfulness in daily activities.

Hyperactivity and impulsivity symptoms

• Constant fidgeting with hands and feet, inability to stay seated.
• Inner restlessness and difficulty relaxing.
• Talking excessively, answering too early, interrupting.
• Impatience and difficulty waiting one's turn.
• Impulsive decisions: purchases, job changes, ill-timed comments.

On top of these two dimensions come manifestations that are very common in adult life and, while not part of the official criteria, are quickly recognised by clinicians: emotional dysregulation (intense, rapid reactions), rejection sensitivity, hyperfocus on highly stimulating activities, low tolerance for boredom and self-esteem worn down by years of criticism.

How does this online ADHD test work?

This questionnaire consists of 18 statements: nine describe inattentive behaviours and nine describe hyperactivity and impulsivity, following the structure of the diagnostic criteria and of the ASRS v1.1 screening scale developed by the World Health Organization. For each statement you indicate how often it has happened to you over the last six months, from "never" (0 points) to "very often" (4 points).

At the end you get a total score from 0 to 72 and a breakdown by area showing whether your profile is predominantly inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive or combined. The calculation is done entirely in your browser: we do not ask for your name or email and we do not store your answers.

For the result to be useful, answer according to your usual behaviour, not an unusually good or bad day, and be honest with yourself: there are no better or worse answers. If you hesitate between two options, choose the one that describes what happens most of the time.

How to interpret your ADHD test score

Scores are grouped into four indicative levels:

• 0-18 · Low: symptom frequency similar to the general population.
• 19-35 · Mild: some traits present; worth monitoring and ruling out other causes.
• 36-52 · Moderate: pattern consistent with adult ADHD; a professional assessment is recommended.
• 53-72 · High: very frequent and probably disabling symptoms; assessment should be a priority.

It is important to remember that a screening test does not diagnose. A high result means your symptoms resemble ADHD closely enough to justify an assessment, and a low result reduces that likelihood but does not rule it out, especially in people who have developed many compensation strategies. Only a mental health professional can confirm the diagnosis after a clinical interview, a review of your history since childhood and, where appropriate, neuropsychological testing and questionnaires completed by relatives.

ADHD in women and late diagnosis

ADHD has historically been under-diagnosed in girls and women. The reason is simple: the criteria were built by observing boys with visible hyperactivity, whereas in women the inattentive presentation, which is far quieter, predominates. The girl who daydreams in class, who works twice as hard to get average grades and who feels "different" without knowing why is rarely referred for assessment.

In adult life, many women with ADHD first receive diagnoses of anxiety or depression, which are in fact consequences of the chronic effort to compensate. Hormonal changes across the menstrual cycle, pregnancy or perimenopause can also intensify symptoms. If you recognise yourself in this description, this test can be the first step towards requesting a specific assessment, and we recommend doing so with a professional familiar with ADHD in women.

ADHD, anxiety, depression and other look-alike conditions

Inattention symptoms are not exclusive to ADHD. Anxiety makes concentration difficult because the mind is busy anticipating threats; depression slows thinking and drains the energy needed to start tasks; insomnia and sleep apnoea degrade anyone's attention; hypothyroidism, anaemia or substance use can also mimic ADHD.

That is why differential diagnosis is a central part of the assessment. Moreover, ADHD rarely comes alone: up to 80% of adults with ADHD have at least one other associated condition, most often anxiety disorders, mood disorders, sleep disorders, dyslexia or other learning difficulties and problematic substance use. Identifying all the pieces makes it possible to design a treatment that really works. If your score on this test is high, it may also be useful to complete the anxiety test and the depression test.

What to do after the test: diagnosis and treatment of adult ADHD

If your result is moderate or high, the next step is a clinical assessment. It can be carried out by a licensed psychologist or a psychiatrist; in public health systems the entry point is usually your GP, who refers you to mental health services. The assessment normally includes a structured interview, your school and family history, scales such as the ASRS or the DIVA-5 and, in some cases, computerised attention tests.

Treatment of adult ADHD is multimodal and tailored to each person:

• Psychoeducation: understanding how your brain works reduces guilt and guides your strategies.
• Cognitive behavioural therapy and executive-function coaching: organisation, time-management, emotional-regulation and impulse-control techniques with solid evidence.
• Medication: stimulant and non-stimulant drugs, prescribed and supervised by a psychiatrist, are effective for most adults and are combined with therapy.
• Habits: regular exercise, enough sleep, less alcohol and an orderly diet have a direct effect on attention.

A psychologist experienced in neurodivergence, such as the one we recommend at the end of the test, can accompany you through the whole process: from initial guidance and coordination with psychiatry to therapeutic work in online sessions.

The scientific basis of this ADHD test

The questions in this questionnaire were written from the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition) and the structure of the World Health Organization's Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS v1.1), the most widely used screening instrument for adults. The cut-off points are indicative and were set to maximise sensitivity, that is, to avoid leaving out people who could benefit from an assessment. The content has been reviewed by the MyPsicoTest team and is updated periodically in line with current clinical guidelines.

The 18 questions in this test

Think about how you have felt and behaved over the last 6 months.

1. I find it hard to pay attention to details or I make careless mistakes at work, in my studies or in everyday tasks.
2. I have trouble keeping my attention on long or boring tasks, such as reading a report or following a meeting.
3. When people speak to me directly, it seems I am not listening because my mind is elsewhere.
4. I start tasks or projects with enthusiasm, but I find it very hard to finish them.
5. I find it difficult to get organised: planning, prioritising and estimating how long something will take.
6. I avoid or put off tasks that require sustained mental effort, such as paperwork, forms or reports.
7. I lose or misplace things I need: keys, wallet, phone, documents.
8. I am easily distracted by noise, external stimuli or my own thoughts.
9. I forget appointments, commitments, payment deadlines or everyday chores.
10. I fidget with my hands or feet, or squirm in my seat, when I have to sit for a long time.
11. I get up or feel the need to move in situations where I am expected to stay seated (meetings, cinema, long meals).
12. I feel an inner restlessness, as if I had a motor running that I cannot switch off.
13. I find it hard to relax or enjoy quiet activities in my free time.
14. I talk excessively or find it hard to stop talking once I start.
15. I answer before the question has been finished or I complete other people's sentences.
16. I find it hard to wait my turn in queues, in conversations or in traffic.
17. I interrupt others or butt into their conversations or activities.
18. I make impulsive decisions (purchases, comments, changes of plan) that I later regret.

Answer scale: Never · Rarely · Sometimes · Often · Very often

If your result worries you or you want a professional assessment, you can talk to Xènia Capel Salcedo, a licensed psychologist (COPC reg. 14982), who offers a free first consultation call and online therapy from anywhere.

Reviewed by the MyPsicoTest team · Updated: 27 October 2026