ADHD Self-Assessment Tools
I Took Every ADHD Self-Assessment Test: Here's What Works
I'll never forget sitting at my kitchen table at 2 AM, frantically Googling "ADHD test UK adults" for the third night in a row. I'd just missed another deadline, forgotten another meeting, and my partner had gently suggested—again—that maybe I should "get checked." But where do you even start?
The 2 AM Rabbit Hole: Why I Started Testing Myself
Like many adults in the UK, I'd spent decades thinking I was just disorganised, lazy, or broken. The idea that it might be ADHD hadn't crossed my mind until a friend mentioned her diagnosis. Suddenly, everything clicked.
But here's the thing: I didn't know what to do next. Do I just book a GP appointment and say "I think I have ADHD"? What if they laugh at me? What if I'm wrong?
So I did what any self-respecting person with undiagnosed ADHD does: I took every online test I could find. Some were rubbish. Some were genuinely helpful. And some completely changed how I approached getting diagnosed.
What I Learned (The Hard Way) About Self-Assessment
My first mistake was assuming any online quiz would give me answers. I took BuzzFeed-style "Do You Have ADHD?" tests that asked things like "Do you get distracted easily?" Well, yes—but so does everyone when they're bored, right?
Then I found the WHO Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS), and everything changed. This wasn't some random internet quiz—it's the actual tool NHS clinics use to screen patients before referral. I downloaded the form from an NHS practice website and sat down properly to fill it in.
The ASRS v1.1 has six key questions in Part A (the screener). If you tick "Often" or "Very often" on four or more of the shaded boxes, it suggests you should seek a proper assessment. I ticked five.
I also completed the Weiss Functional Impairment Rating Scale (WFIRS-S), which asks how symptoms affect your actual life—work, relationships, daily tasks. That's when I realised this wasn't just "everyone feels this way." My impairment scores were significant across every domain. It was validating and terrifying in equal measure.
Taking My Results to the GP (And What Happened Next)
I printed my completed ASRS and WFIRS-S forms, dug out old school reports that mentioned "doesn't focus" and "talks too much," and booked a GP appointment. I was convinced they'd dismiss me.
They didn't. My GP looked at the forms, asked a few questions, and said, "This is exactly the sort of evidence we need for a referral." Turns out, UK ADHD diagnosis requires specialist assessment—GPs can't diagnose it themselves—but validated self-assessments like the ASRS help them make informed referral decisions.
Because I'm in England, I also asked about Right to Choose, which lets you pick your NHS provider for your first mental health outpatient appointment. My local wait was 18 months; I was assessed within three months through an NHS-contracted provider.
The assessment itself used a structured interview called DIVA-5, which is the most widely used diagnostic tool in UK clinics according to the Royal College of Psychiatrists. It wasn't just ticking boxes—it was a proper deep dive into my childhood, my current symptoms, and how they've impacted every area of my life.
Key Takeaways
- The ASRS is your starting point - The WHO Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (v1.1 or the newer ASRS-5) is the most widely used screener in UK NHS pathways. It's free, quick, and clinicians expect to see it.
- Add impairment evidence - The WFIRS-S shows how symptoms affect your daily life. NICE guidelines require both symptoms AND impairment for diagnosis, so this matters.
- Childhood evidence helps - UK diagnosis requires symptoms from childhood. Dig out school reports or use the WURS (Wender Utah Rating Scale) to document early signs.
- Self-tests aren't diagnoses - NICE is clear: only specialists can diagnose ADHD after a full clinical assessment. Screeners are compass tools, not verdicts.
- Right to Choose is powerful (England only) - If local NHS waits are long, you can legally request referral to a different NHS-contracted provider for faster assessment.
- Watch for quality standards - Look for clinics following UKAAN's Adult ADHD Assessment Quality Assurance Standard (AQAS)—assessments should be at least 2 hours, use structured interviews, and explore differential diagnoses.
Final Thoughts
Taking those self-assessments at 2 AM wasn't a waste of time—it was the first step on a journey that fundamentally changed my life. But they were just that: a first step, not a destination. If your ASRS or WFIRS scores suggest ADHD and you're struggling with real impairment, take them to your GP. You deserve proper assessment and support, and these tools give you the language and structure to ask for it effectively.
About the Author
I'm a late-diagnosed adult with ADHD who spent years thinking I was just "bad at life." Now I write about navigating UK ADHD diagnosis, treatment, and daily management—so others don't have to figure it out alone at 2 AM.
Meta Description: I took every ADHD self-assessment test to figure out which ones actually work in the UK. Here's what helped me get diagnosed—and what to avoid.
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