Should You Take an Online Adult ADHD Test? Here’s How to Figure Out if They're Legit
Experts weigh in on the trend and whether it's good for your mental health.
Adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (adult ADHD) is a mental health condition that impairs executive functioning. Symptom presentation varies by patient, but can include poor concentration, hyperactivity, forgetfulness, impulsivity, fidgeting, racing thoughts, a short attention span, risk-taking behaviors, anxiety and boredom. Patients can exhibit tardiness, poor time management, difficulty planning ahead and general disorganization.
Does this sound like you?
Well, not so fast.
Though there is a slew of online tests to gauge whether you may or may not have adult ADHD, it doesn't mean you actually have it. Here's what you need to know about adult ADHD online tests and whether or not they're accurate tools to diagnose yourself and ultimately improve your mental health.
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Should You Use an Online Test To Find Out if You Have Adult ADHD?
In a word, no: Experts agree that it is not a good idea to rely on online tests of any kind to determine whether or not you have adult ADHD.
"By definition, ADHD is a diagnosis that needs to be made from a thorough evaluation and history looking at personal, professional, school and social history," psychiatrist Dr. Ryan Sultan, MD, says. "There are no tests."
A possible exception can be made if and only if these tests are part of a care plan with an expert, and even then, clinicians warn that the results of the online tests themselves may not be as accurate or beneficial as patients may believe.
"There are many online tests out there that begin with a screener and then set you up with a 'professional' to follow up in the event of a positive screen," clinical psychologist Dr. Erik Newman, Ph.D., tells Parade. "It's possible that this could result in an accurate diagnosis, but I certainly wouldn't be comfortable endorsing any of these approaches because you really don't know what you're getting."
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Are There Any Reliable Online Tests for Adult ADHD?
In terms of getting an accurate diagnosis from an online ADHD test, experts agree it's probably not possible, with some possible exceptions in very specific circumstances.
Psychologist Megan Agee, LPA, explains that the lack of standardization of online tests is a problem, adding, "The other side of this is that there is very little mysticism in diagnostic criteria—a person could read the DSM-V definition of the subtypes/combined type criteria and decide if they seem to resonate."
"It's fair to say that the majority of online ADHD tests are not reliable diagnostic measures, but informational surveys or screeners that provide feedback around common ADHD symptoms such as inattentiveness, impulsivity and hyperactivity," San Francisco Bay Area-based clinical psychologist Dr. Christina Iglesia, Psy.D., concurs. "Unless published by a medical organization and then made available for public consumption, as the World Health Organization did with the Adult Self-Report Scale (ASRS), most online tests are created to highlight the presence and/or possibility of ADHD symptoms."
While most experts don't recommend using online tests to diagnose adult ADHD, they say that they can be helpful in certain conditions.
"To vet an online ADHD test, I suggest checking if the test has been FDA cleared and that the test is offered via a trained professional, requiring their interpretation and oversight, such as Qbtech," psychiatrist Dr. Theresa Cerulli, MD, explains. This means that whatever test you take would be provided to you by a clinician, not Dr. Google.
Related: 10 Signs You May Have Adult ADHD, According to Experts
What's the Best Way to Diagnose Adult ADHD?
Diagnosing adult ADHD can vary from patient to patient and by the care team, Dr. Cerulli says, so there isn't one standard way to do so. That said, it's usually a much more involved process than, say, something akin to a quiz to determine what Avengers character you're most like.
According to Dr. Newman, the best way to diagnose adult ADHD involves assessing a multitude of data sources, including:
Clinical interview from a licensed professional
Rating scales from multiple settings
In-person performance-based psychological tests (which can include continuous performance tests and/or tests of executive functioning)
"Except in rural areas where this may not be possible, I would say that most people would be better served by finding a local professional with a good reputation rather than using an online program," Dr. Newman advised. "Even in rural areas, it may be possible to find reputable professionals a bit farther away who would be willing to do this type of evaluation virtually."
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Are There Any Benefits to Online Tests for Adult ADHD?
While online adult ADHD tests shouldn't be used to diagnose yourself or others, Dr. Iglesia says they aren't completely devoid of value, explaining, "It can be helpful in the sense that it may prompt someone to seek out further information regarding their mental health challenges and potential professional support."
Next, check out the 30 best mental health apps.