An Adult ADD Checklist

Attention Deficit Disorder--better known as ADD--affects both children and adults. Adults who suffer from this disorder display hyperactivity, short attention spans and poor concentration skills. While an ADD checklist does not diagnose your ADD, it can help you determine whether you exhibit the characteristics of ADD and if you need to seek the medical opinion of a doctor.

Ratings

• When using the ADD-symptom checklist used by the University of Central Florida you will read 78 statements and rate how closely that statement relates to you and your life. If the sentence does not relate to you at all, you will give a rating of 0. When the sentence applies to you on a rare basis you will give it a rating of 1; a rating of 2 if it occasionally applies to you; a rating of 3 if it frequently applies to you; and a rating of 4 if it applies to you and your life very frequently. At the end of the checklist, you will up your total score and the number of items you rated 3 or above. If you rate 21 or more sentences with a 3 or higher, you have a strong tendency towards ADD.

Past History

• The first part the ADD checklist used by University of Central of Florida includes statements about your history such as your distractibility as a child, poor schoolwork, behavioral problems and a family history of ADD, learning problems or substance abuse.

Concentration

• Since symptoms of ADD include poor attention span, you'll rate statements such as "Lacks attention to detail, due to distractibility" and "Poor listening skills." You'll also rate your restlessness with statements such as "Has to be moving in order to think."

Tasks and Projects

• ADD checklists cover how well you respond to or complete tasks. You rate statements about being overwhelmed by everyday tasks, trouble managing your finances, tardiness and organization in both your work and home life. Your ability to begin or end projects will also be addressed.

Feelings and Interactions

• Personal feelings and relationships can give clues towards a likely ADD diagnosis. You will read statements that refer to your mood swings, negativity, self-esteem and underachievement. Other statements explore your ability to sustain friends, promiscuity, immature interests, verbally abusing others, outburst, avoiding social interaction and clashing with authority. The checklist will also have you rate your temper.

Needs and Thoughts

• While completing a checklist you will rate your need for stimulation such as bungee jumping, gambling and seeking along with your tendency to worry and your proneness to addictions.

Learning

• ADD checklist statements will assess how your mind works by including statements like "Switches around numbers, letters or words." You will rate items about your writing and coordination skills, as well as your responses to pressure such as when you take a test.

Body

• Your body may also exhibit signs that you are likely to suffer from ADD so you'll rate statements about your ability to fall asleep or wake up, your energy level through out the day and your sensitivity to touch, noise and lights.