What Symptoms Does ADHD Testing Measure?
Posted on: 21 April 2023
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ADHD testing can help you learn whether or not you have this condition. ADHD testing is usually performed in the form of a questionnaire, which can be administered by your general doctor, psychologist, or psychiatrist. Here are four things measured by ADHD testing:
1. Concentration
Difficulty concentrating is a hallmark of ADHD. People with this disorder may struggle to complete work and chores. Often, they may have struggled in school when they were younger. Concentration can also affect relationships by making it difficult to listen when others are speaking to you. An ADHD test will ask various questions to determine the extent to which a lack of concentration affects your life.
2. Hyperfixation
People with ADHD often have low levels of dopamine, a neurochemical produced by the brain that is related to feelings of accomplishment and pleasure. People who are undiagnosed and unmedicated may find themselves hyper-fixating on certain hobbies, subjects, or activities that bring them pleasure. This is a coping technique related to the release of dopamine. Unfortunately, hyper-fixation can cause people to neglect their responsibilities and self-care when left unchecked. An ADHD test will ask you questions about whether or not you experience hyper-fixations, which often go hand in hand with periods of hyperfocus.
3. Hyperactivity
People with ADHD often experience hyperactivity as children. As adults, this trait can manifest in a need to constantly be fidgeting or an inability to sit still. Hyperactivity can be disruptive for people in their work and social lives. An ADHD questionnaire will ask you how often you have trouble sitting still. It may also ask whether or not people in your life have noticed and remarked upon this trade.
4. Procrastination
Procrastination is another common trait for people who suffer from ADHD. That's because people with this disorder often struggle to start tasks. They may also struggle to switch tasks when appropriate. Procrastination can lead to feelings of anxiety, which can worsen this symptom due to feelings of dread and guilt. ADHD questionnaires measure how often you procrastinate and how that procrastination affects your life.
ADHD tests rely on self-reported symptoms, so it's important to be as candid and honest as possible while filling out the questionnaire. Be sure to think about all of your symptoms, as well as the ways they affect your everyday life. If you score high for signs of ADHD, your doctor or psychologist can talk to you about treatment options.