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The information on these pages should not be used as a substitute for evaluation and treatment by a professional health care provider. Diagnostic Criteria - Attention Deficit DisorderInattention (low attention span)Six or more of the following symptoms of inattention have persisted for at least 6 months to a degree that is maladaptive and inconsistent with developmental level: a) Often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork or other activities. b) Often has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities. c) Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly d) Often does not follow through on instruction and fails to finish schoolwork, chores or duties in the workplace (not due to oppositional behavior or failure to understand instructions.) e) Often has difficulty organizing tasks and activities. f ) Often avoids, dislikes or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort (such as schoolwork or homework.) g) Often loses things necessary for tasks or activities (e.g., toys school assignments, pencils, books, or tools.) h) Is often easily distracted by extraneous stimuli. i) Is often forgetful in daily activities. Hyperactivity-ImpulsivenessSix or more of the following symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity have persisted for at least 6 months to a degree that is maladaptive and inconsistent with developmental level:a) Often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat. b) Often leaves seat in classroom or in other situation in which remaining seated is expected. c) Often runs about or climbs excessively in situations in which it is inappropriate (in adolescents or adults may be limited to subjective feelings of restlessness.) d) Often has difficulty playing or engaging in leisure activities quietly. e) Is often "on the go" or often acts as if "driven by a motor." f) Often talks excessively. g) Often blurts out answers before questions have been completed. h) Often has difficulty awaiting turn. i ) Often interrupts or intrudes on others (e.g., at school or work and at home.) Additional Considerations
Adult ADHD Symptom Self-TestIn conjunction with other diagnostic techniques the following general adult ADHD checklist helps further define ADHD symptoms. No ADHD adult has all of the symptoms, but if you notice a strong presence of more than 20 of these symptoms, there is a strong likelihood of ADHD. Please read this list of behaviors and rate yourself (or the person who has asked you to rate him or her) on each behavior listed. Print the text below and then, using the following scale, and place the appropriate number next to the item. The scoring procedure is at the end of the test. 0 = never IMPORTANT: This is not a tool for self-diagnosis. Its purpose is simply to help you determine whether ADHD may be a factor in the behavior of the person you are assessing using this checklist. An actual diagnosis can be made only by an experienced professional. Past History_____ 1 .History of ADHD symptoms in childhood, such as distractibility, short attention span, impulsiveness or restlessness. ADHD doesn't start at age 30. _____ 2 .History of not living up to potential in school or work (report cards with comments such as not living up to potential) _____ 3 .History of frequent behavior problems in school (mostly for males) _____ 4. History of bed-wetting past age 5 _____ 5. Family history of ADD, learning problems, mood disorders or substance abuse problems Short Attention Span/Distractibility_____ 6. Short attention span, unless very interested in something _____ 7. Easily distracted, tendency to drift away (although at times can be hyperfocused) _____ 8. Lacks attention to detail, due to distractibility _____ 9. Trouble listening carefully to directions _____ 10. Frequently misplaces things _____ 11. Skips around while reading or goes to the end first, trouble staying on track _____ 12. Difficulty learning new games because it is hard to stay on track during directions _____ 13. Easily distracted during sex causing frequent breaks or turnoffs during love making _____ 14. Poor listening skills _____ 15. Tendency to be easily bored (tunes out) Restlessness_____ 16. Restlessness, constant motion, legs moving, fidgety _____ 17. Has to be moving in order to think _____ 18. Trouble sitting still, such as trouble sitting in one place for too long, sitting at a desk job for long periods, sitting through a movie _____ 19. An internal sense of anxiety or nervousness Impulsiveness _____ 20. Impulsive in words and/or actions (spending) _____ 21. Say just what comes to mind without considering its impact (tactless) _____ 22.Trouble going through established channels, trouble following proper procedure, an attitude of, "Read the directions only if all else fails." _____ 23. Impatient, low frustration tolerance _____ 24. A prisoner of the moment _____ 25. Frequent traffic violations _____ 26. Frequent, impulsive job changes _____ 27. Tendency to embarrass others _____ 28. Lying or stealing on impulse Poor Organization_____ 29. Poor organization and planning, trouble maintaining an organized work/living area _____ 30. Chronically late or chronically in a hurry _____ 31. Often has piles of stuff _____ 32. Easily overwhelmed by tasks of daily living _____ 33.Poor financial management (late bills, checkbook a mess, spending unnecessary money on late fees) _____ 34.Some adults with ADHD are very successful, but often only if they are surrounded with people who organize them. Problems Getting Started and Following Through_____ 35. Chronic procrastination or trouble getting started _____ 36. Starting projects but not finishing them, poor follow through _____ 37. Enthusiastic beginnings but poor endings _____ 38. Spends excessive time at work because of inefficiencies _____ 39. Inconsistent work performance Negative Internal Feelings_____ 40.Chronic sense of underachievement, feeling you should be much further along in your life than you are _____ 41. Chronic problems with self-esteem _____ 42. Sense of impending doom _____ 43. Mood swings _____ 44. Negativity _____ 45.Frequent feeling of demoralization or that things won't work out for you Relational Difficulties_____ 46. Trouble sustaining friendships or intimate relationships, promiscuity _____ 47. Trouble with intimacy _____ 48. Tendency to be immature _____ 49. Self-centered; immature interests _____ 50. Failure to see others' needs or activities as important _____ 51. Lack of talking in a relationship _____ 52. Verbally abusive to others _____ 53. Proneness to hysterical outburst _____ 54. Avoids group activities _____ 55. Trouble with authority Short Fuse_____ 56. Quick responses to slights that are real or imagined _____ 56. Rage outbursts, short fuse Frequent Search For High Stimulation_____ 58.Frequent search for high stimulation (bungee jumping, gambling, race track, high stress jobs, ER doctors, doing many things at once, etc.) _____ 59. Tendency to seek conflict, be argumentative or to start disagreements for the fun of it Tendency To Get Stuck (thoughts or behaviors) _____ 60. Tendency to worry needlessly and endlessly _____ 61. Tendency toward addictions (food, alcohol, drugs, work) Switches Things Around_____ 62. Switches around numbers, letters or words _____ 63. Turn words around in conversations Writing/Fine Motor Coordination Difficulties_____ 64. Poor writing skills (hard to get information from brain to pen) _____ 65. Poor handwriting, often prints _____ 66. Coordination difficulties The Harder I Try The Worse It Gets_____ 67. Performance becomes worse under pressure. _____ 68. Test anxiety or during tests your mind tends to go blank _____ 69. The harder you try, the worse it gets _____ 70. Work or schoolwork deteriorates under pressure _____ 71. Tendency to turn off or become stuck when asked questions in social situations _____ 72. Falls asleep or becomes tired while reading Sleep/Wake Difficulties_____ 73. Difficulties falling asleep, may be due to too many thoughts at night _____ 74. Difficulty coming awake (may need coffee or other stimulant or activity before feeling fully awake.) Low Energy_____ 75. Periods of low energy, especially early in the morning and in the afternoon _____ 76. Frequently feeling tired Sensitive To Noise Or Touch_____ 77. Easily startled _____ 78. Sensitive to touch, clothes, noise and light Test ScoringWhen you have completed the above checklist, calculate the following: 1. Total Score: _______ 2. Total Number of Items with a score of three (3) or more: _______ 3. Score for Item #1: _______ 4. Score for Item #6: _______ 5. Score for Item #7: _______ More than 20 items with a score of three or more indicates a strong tendency toward ADHD. Items 1, 6, and 7 are essential to make the diagnosis. Links |
In addition to seeing clients himself, Clay coordinates referrals to a network of experienced and qualified counselors with a variety of specialties to meet your specific needs. Contact him today and start creating a better life for you and your family. PhilosophyAt Village Counseling Center we believe most people have the resources to solve their problems. At times, however, a trauma or broken relationships or even the normal pressures of life can cause us to lose sight of our strengths; obscuring our natural ability to problem solve. Counseling provides a safe place where clients can regain their perspective, find acceptance, and challenge themselves to grow. And though true growth does require significant effort and courage, we at Village Counseling Center believe happiness is worth the price. Call us and begin building a better life, one risk at a time. Learn more about Solution-Focused Therapy Learn more about EMDR and the treatment of trauma, fear and anxiety |
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Adult ADD/ADHD Self-Evaluation
Our director, Clay Watkins, LMFT, is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. He provides individual, couples and family counseling. He specializes in anxiety-related difficulties including panic attacks, post-traumatic stress (PTSD) and phobias. He has advanced training and a decade of experience utilizing