Do I Have an Attention Deficit Disorder?

By Janet Strassman Perlmutter

These six questions are used as a “screener” to help individuals determine if a professional evaluation is in order.

How often do you …

1. have trouble wrapping up the final details of a project once the challenging parts have been done?

2. have difficulty getting things in order when you have to do a task that requires organization?

3. have problems remembering appointments or obligations?

4. avoid or delay getting started on tasks that require a lot of thought?

5. fidget or squirm with your hands or your feet when you have to sit down for a long time?

6. feel overly active and compelled to do things, like you were driven by a motor?

Devised in 2003 by the World Health Organization, these items represent a short version of the 18 criteria on the Adult Self Report Scale. If you responded “often” to most  of these questions, an evaluation by a mental health professional is advised. 

Learn more about this topic...

• The Parent with AD/HD
  
• Managing the Condition
  
• Resources: Organizations & books that can help



Janet Strassman Perlmutter is a clinical social worker and a freelance writer.