Adult ADHD Test (ASRS) - Free Self-Report Scale

About ADHD and the ASRS Test

What is ADHD?

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder that affects both children and adults. It is characterized by persistent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that can interfere with functioning and development.

While ADHD is often diagnosed in childhood, many adults continue to experience symptoms throughout their lives, sometimes without ever receiving a formal diagnosis. Adult ADHD can impact various aspects of life, including work performance, relationships, and overall well-being.

The ASRS Assessment

The Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) was developed by researchers from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Workgroup on Adult ADHD. It is based on the diagnostic criteria for ADHD in the DSM-IV and serves as a screening tool to help identify adults who may have ADHD.

The ASRS consists of 18 questions that assess the frequency of ADHD symptoms. The first 6 questions (Part A) form a screening subset and are considered the most predictive of ADHD. The remaining 12 questions (Part B) provide additional insight into ADHD symptoms.

Interpreting Your Results

A score of 4 or higher on Part A (the first six questions) suggests that your symptoms are consistent with ADHD in adults, and further investigation by a healthcare professional may be warranted.

For Part B, there is no specific cutoff score. However, more points generally indicate that your symptoms are more consistent with ADHD. The full assessment can provide a more comprehensive picture of your symptoms.

It's important to note that this screening tool is not a diagnostic instrument. A diagnosis of ADHD can only be made by a qualified healthcare professional after a comprehensive evaluation.

ADHD as a Positive Trait

There is an ongoing debate about whether ADHD should be viewed solely as a disorder or if it might reflect traits that can be beneficial in certain circumstances. Some research suggests that individuals with ADHD characteristics may excel in environments that require quick thinking, creativity, and the ability to hyperfocus on interesting tasks.

Recent research by Barack and colleagues (2024) found that people who reached the threshold for ADHD scores performed better on "foraging" tasks - activities that involve collecting or gathering resources. This skill would have been critical for our ancestors who spent much of their time searching for food and resources to survive.

This perspective aligns with earlier work by Shelley-Tremblay and Rosén (1996), who proposed an evolutionary perspective on ADHD, suggesting that traits associated with ADHD might have provided advantages in certain ancestral environments.

References

• Kessler RC, Adler L, Ames M, Demler O, Faraone S, Hiripi E, Howes MJ, Jin R, Secnik K, Spencer T, Ustun TB, Walters EE (2005). The World Health Organization Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS): a short screening scale for use in the general population. Psychological Medicine, 35(2), 245-56.
• The World Health Organisation Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS v1.1): a short screening scale for use in the general populationKessler et al., 2005
• Barack, D.L. and colleagues (2024). Attention deficits linked with proclivity to explore while foraging. Proceedings of the Royal Society B – Biological Sciences.
• John F. Shelley-Tremblay & Lee A. Rosén (1996) Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: An Evolutionary Perspective, The Journal of Genetic Psychology, 157:4, 443-453.
• Honkasilta, J. & Koutsoklenis, A. (2022). The (Un)real Existence of ADHD—Criteria, Functions, and Forms of the Diagnostic Entity. Frontiers in Sociology.
• Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS v1.1) Version 1.1 Background InformationHarvard Medical School
• The Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS v1.1): utility in college students with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorderGray et al., 2014
• Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS-v1.1) Symptom ChecklistHarvard Medical School