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PLEASE
NOTE
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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. It is
used here by permission.
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ADULT
ADD SYMPTOM CHECKLIST
by Daniel G. Amen, MD.
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In conjunction with other
diagnostic techniques, Dr Amen says he, "uses the
following general adult ADD checklist to help
further define ADD symptoms. No ADD adult has all
of the symptoms, but if you notice a strong
presence of more than 20 of these symptoms, there
is a strong likelihood of ADD."
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
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LIST OF
BEHAVIORS
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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 bedwetting
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, fidgeting
- __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)
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 under
achievement, 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
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
- __Prone 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
- __Difficulty 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
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SCORING
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When you have completed the
above checklist, calculate the 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:
_______
Dr. Amen suggests: "More than
20 items with a score of three or more indicates a
strong tendency toward ADD.
Note: The three items
with * are "essential to make the diagnosis,"
according to Dr. Amen.
He adds: "One of the most
common ways I diagnose ADD in adults is when
parents reluctantly tell me that they have tried
their child's medication and that they found it
very helpful. They report it helped them
concentrate for longer periods of time. They became
more organized and were less impulsive. Trying your
child's medication is not something I
recommend!"
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FOOTNOTE
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"This educational material is
made available, courtesy of the author and
Attention Deficit Disorder Resources, a non-profit
organization based in Tacoma, whose purpose is to
help people with Attention Deficit Disorder achieve
their full potential. We have numerous materials as
well as a quarterly newsletter for sale. Our web
site is: www.ADDult.org."
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Tourette
Syndrome "Plus" © Copyright 1998 - 2005 Leslie
E. Packer, PhD. except as noted.
All rights reserved
This page last updated January 7, 2005.
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