Attention Deficit Disorder

SYMPTOMS

ADHD or ADD is characterized by a majority of the following symptoms being present in either category (inattention or hyperactivity). These symptoms need to manifest themselves in a manner and degree which is inconsistent with the child's current developmental level. That is, the child's behavior is significantly more inattentive or hyperactive than that of his or her peers of a similar age.

 

Symptoms of Inattention:

• often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities
• often has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities
• often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly
• often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace (not due to oppositional behavior or failure to understand instructions)
• often has difficulty organizing tasks and activities
• often avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort (such as schoolwork or homework)
• often loses things necessary for tasks or activities (e.g., toys, school assignments, pencils, books, or tools)
• is often easily distracted by extraneous stimuli
• is often forgetful in daily activities

 

Symptoms of Hyperactivity:

• often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat
• often leaves seat in classroom or in other situations in which remaining seated is expected
• often runs about or climbs excessively in situations in which it is inappropriate (in adolescents or adults, may be limited to subjective feelings of restlessness)
• often has difficulty playing or engaging in leisure activities quietly
• is often "on the go" or often acts as if "driven by a motor"
• often talks excessively

 

Symptoms of Impulsivity:

• often blurts out answers before questions have been completed
• often has difficulty awaiting turn
• often interrupts or intrudes on others (e.g., butts into conversations or games)

Symptoms must have persisted for at least 6 months. Some of these symptoms need to have been present as a child, at 7 years old or younger. The symptoms also must exist in at least two separate settings (for example, at school and at home). The symptoms should be creating significant impairment in social, academic or occupational functioning or relationships.

ADHD SCREENING TOOL

After printing this page, 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. Use the following scale and place the appropriate number next to the item.

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 ADD 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. If you need a referral to such a professional in your area, contact your local chapter of C.H.A.D.D. (Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder).

Top of Form

Past History

• History of ADD symptoms in childhood, such as distractibility, short attention span, impulsivity or restlessness. ADD 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 turn-offs during lovemaking
• Poor listening skills
• Tendency to be easily bored (tunes out)

Restlessness

• Restlessness, constant motion, legs moving, fidgetiness
• 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

Impulsivity

• 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 when 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 have piles of stuff
• Easily overwhelmed by tasks of daily living
• Poor financial management (late bills, check book a mess, spending unnecessary money on late fees)
• Some adults with ADD 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 than you are
• 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, race track, 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

• Startles easily
• Sensitive to touch, clothes, noise and light

Bottom of Form

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 ADD. Items 1, 6, and 7 are essential to make the diagnosis."