ADHD Test

If you’re struggling with focus, impulsivity, or organization and these symptoms interfere with daily life, medication management may help. A healthcare provider will assess your symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle to determine if medication is appropriate. ADHD treatments include stimulants (e.g., Adderall, Ritalin) and non-stimulants (e.g., Strattera, Intuniv), each with unique benefits and side effects. Medication management ensures ongoing monitoring and adjustments for effectiveness and tolerability. Consult a professional to explore whether medication, alongside therapy and lifestyle changes, can help you manage ADHD and improve your quality of life.

Having issues with focus does not necessarily mean you have ADHD. Typically, ADHD is characterized by more persistent issues of low attention span, impulsivity, and hyperactivity that affect everyday life and functioning over a long period of time. If you find that your lack of focus is disrupting your work, school, relationships, and responsibilities and have been struggling for over 6 months, it may be worth consulting with a professional for an evaluation.

High-functioning ADHD is an informal term for individuals with ADHD whose symptoms have a less severe impact on their daily lives. Though outwardly, these individuals express a capacity to manage their symptoms effectively, they often experience specific challenges with focus, impulsivity, and organization that may be more internalized. Coping strategies are stronger in these individuals, helping them to adapt to their environment and appear “in control.” Though, some individuals may still struggle with time management and decision-making. People with high-functioning ADHD may still benefit from consulting a professional for support with symptom management.

Individuals with ADHD often exhibit behaviors such as having trouble focusing on tasks and becoming easily distracted by the world around them. They tend to jump around between multiple tasks without completing them all, forget key details (e.g. appointments or deadlines), make hasty decisions, procrastinate frequently, or interrupt others in conversation. Of course, behavior can vary both in type and severity. Individuals with ADHD are also seen to have strong creativity, spontaneity, and conversation skills.

When left untreated, ADHD can affect all aspects of everyday life: work, school, and relationships. It can cause difficulties in completing tasks, remaining organized, and focusing on short- and long-term tasks. Untreated ADHD can create feelings of frustration, trouble managing emotions, and even low self-esteem. Often, individuals find that their relationships are strained or they experience issues at work or school due to impulsivity and low levels of focus. Without treatment, ADHD can also create heightened stress, even increasing one’s risk of anxiety or depression.

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is considered a form of neurodivergence, but not a form of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Neurodivergence is an umbrella term that includes ADHD, autism, and other conditions encompassed in the range of differences in how individuals think, learn, process information, and experience the world. While both ADHD and autism affect neurological functioning, leading to challenges with impulsivity, attention, and social interactions, they differ in symptoms and diagnostic criteria. ADHD primarily impacts focus, impulse control, and energy levels, while autism affects communication, social interactions, thinking, and behavior.