Adult ADHD Screening: What the ASRS v1.1 Measures (and What It Doesn’t)
- Ryan Burns
- 4 days ago
- 8 min read
Last reviewed: 02/19/2026
Reviewed by: Dr. Kiesa Kelly
If you’ve ever searched “ASRS ADHD” or taken an ASRS test online, you’re not alone. The Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) is one of the most common first-step screeners for adults who wonder whether ADHD might explain chronic disorganization, missed deadlines, or a brain that won’t “stay on task.”
In this article, you’ll learn:
What the ASRS is and why it shows up everywhere
What symptoms it screens for (in real-life adult language)
What the ASRS cannot tell you (even with a high score)
Common reasons people score high that aren’t ADHD
What a quality adult ADHD evaluation typically includes
🧭 Key takeaway: A screening tool can be useful without being a diagnosis. Think of the ASRS as a “signal,” not a final answer.
What the ASRS ADHD Screener Is (and Why It’s So Common)
The ASRS is a brief questionnaire that asks how often you’ve experienced specific attention and impulse-control problems over the past 6 months. It was developed with the World Health Organization (WHO) as a practical way to identify adults who may need a more in-depth evaluation for ADHD. [1]
It’s common because it’s:
Quick (often 1–3 minutes for the 6-item screener)
Easy to self-administer
Aligned with ADHD symptom criteria (originally DSM-IV; still broadly consistent with current descriptions) [1]
If you’re looking for a curated, clinic-forward version (rather than a random “quiz”), you can start in our mental health screening library and use the ASRS screening page as your launch point.
What “ASRS v1.1” stands for
ASRS = Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale.
v1.1 = version 1.1 of the tool (the widely used “classic” format).
ASRS v1.1 includes 18 items that map to ADHD symptom criteria, plus a commonly used 6-item “Part A” screener designed to flag adults who may need follow-up. [1]
A practical note: Harvard’s clinical research group (where the ASRS instruments are hosted) has historically preferred that websites link to their official ASRS pages because methods and scoring guidance can be updated over time. [2]
Who the ASRS is designed for (adults, self-report)
The ASRS v1.1 is intended for adults (18+) and is a self-report tool. It’s meant to support a conversation with a clinician, not replace one. [3]
✅ Key takeaway: Self-report tools are valuable, but they reflect how symptoms feel to you right now. Diagnosis requires context, history, and impairment across settings. [4]
What the ASRS Actually Screens For
The ASRS screens for patterns of symptoms that fit two clusters:
Inattention (focus, organization, follow-through)
Hyperactivity/impulsivity (restlessness, interrupting, acting before thinking)
The questions are written in adult-friendly ways, often describing everyday situations like paperwork, meetings, and finishing projects. [1,3]
Inattention signs (in adult-friendly language)
In adults, inattention doesn’t always look like “can’t pay attention in class.” It can look like:
Starting strong, then stalling on the “last 10%” (finishing details, submitting, following up)
Losing track of steps in multi-part tasks (bills, emails, forms)
Time blindness: underestimating how long things take
Misplacing essentials (keys, phone, paperwork)
Needing urgency (or panic) to start tasks that require sustained thinking
Example: You can focus intensely when something is interesting, but routine tasks (scheduling, paperwork, reading dense material) feel like pushing a boulder uphill. That pattern can show up on the ASRS, but it can also show up with depression, anxiety, sleep loss, or burnout. [5–7]
🧠 Key takeaway: ADHD in adults is often about regulation of attention (especially for boring or effortful tasks), not a total lack of attention. [4]
Hyperactivity/impulsivity signs (how it can look in adults)
Adult hyperactivity is frequently internal and easy to miss. Instead of “running around,” it may show up as:
Feeling restless in meetings or long conversations
Fidgeting, tapping, shifting positions, needing to stand
Speaking quickly, interrupting, or finishing others’ sentences
Impulsive spending, texting, or decision-making
Trouble waiting (lines, traffic, slow processes)
This is one reason adults (especially women and people who learned to mask) may not recognize themselves in childhood stereotypes. Clinical assessment should always consider age-appropriate presentation. [4]
What the ASRS Can’t Tell You
A high ASRS score can be meaningful. It can also be misleading.
Screening vs diagnosis (what’s missing)
A diagnosis of ADHD should not be made solely from a rating scale. Guidelines emphasize that diagnosis requires a full clinical and psychosocial assessment, developmental history, and evidence of impairment across settings, with information from more than one source when possible. [4,8]
The ASRS doesn’t confirm:
When symptoms started (ADHD is typically early-onset)
Whether symptoms are present across major settings (work/school, home, relationships)
Whether another condition better explains the same difficulties
The level of functional impairment (what it costs you day to day)
🔍 Key takeaway: The ASRS is best used to decide “Should I get evaluated?” not “Do I definitely have ADHD?” [4,9]
Context matters: sleep, stress, trauma, burnout, substances
A core challenge with adult ADHD screening is symptom overlap. Many conditions can create ADHD-like attention and executive function problems.
Common “context” factors that can inflate ASRS scores include:
Sleep loss/insomnia: sleep deprivation can impair attention and executive functioning. [10]
Chronic stress and trauma: PTSD and post-traumatic reactions commonly include difficulty concentrating and sleep disruption. [7]
Burnout/overload: burnout is linked to exhaustion, mental distance, and reduced efficacy, which can look like “I can’t get it together.” (Burnout is also a debated construct in research, so it’s best used as a descriptive pattern rather than a medical diagnosis.) [6,11]
Substance use or withdrawal: can affect attention, impulse control, and mood, and is explicitly considered in differential diagnosis. [4,9]
Example: A new parent with months of fragmented sleep may endorse “difficulty finishing,” “disorganization,” and “forgetting appointments.” Those symptoms are real and deserve support. The key clinical question is why they’re happening now and whether they reflect a long-standing ADHD pattern. [10]
Common Reasons People Score High (That Aren’t ADHD)
It’s possible to score high on the adult ADHD screener even when ADHD isn’t the primary issue.
Anxiety and rumination
Chronic worry can hijack working memory and attention. When your brain is looping (What if I mess up? Did I forget something? Am I behind?), it’s harder to prioritize, plan, and finish. Difficulty concentrating is also a common symptom of generalized anxiety. [12]
Depression and low energy
Depression can come with low energy, slowed thinking, and difficulty concentrating or making decisions. That can mimic the “stuck” feeling adults often associate with ADHD. [5]
Research in clinical samples also suggests that positive ASRS screens can include a meaningful number of false positives when mood symptoms are prominent, reinforcing the need for careful follow-up. [13]
Executive function overload / burnout
Executive function is the brain’s “management system”: planning, initiation, working memory, and self-monitoring. When demands exceed capacity for long periods, you may see:
More procrastination and avoidance
More careless mistakes
Less emotional bandwidth
More difficulty starting or switching tasks
That pattern can resemble ADHD, especially during high-demand seasons (college finals, new jobs, caregiving). [11]
😴 Key takeaway: If symptoms started or spiked during a major stressor, sleep disruption, or depressive episode, a clinician will want to understand the timeline before concluding ADHD. [4,10]
If Your ASRS Suggests ADHD, What’s Next
If your results suggest ADHD, treat them as a prompt to seek a quality evaluation.
What a quality adult ADHD evaluation usually includes
While processes vary by clinic, strong evaluations typically include:
A structured clinical interview covering current symptoms and functional impact
Developmental history (including evidence of childhood-onset patterns)
Screening for co-occurring conditions (anxiety, depression, trauma, sleep, substance use)
Use of rating scales as supporting data, not the sole basis for diagnosis
Clear documentation of impairment across settings
This approach aligns with major guidance emphasizing comprehensive assessment and the limits of rating scales alone. [4,8,9]
If you’re exploring next steps, our psychological assessment services page explains how our process is structured and what to expect.
How clinicians rule out look-alikes
A careful differential diagnosis often includes:
Checking whether symptoms occur only during mood episodes, panic cycles, or acute stress periods [4,13]
Screening for sleep disorders and insomnia patterns (especially if you’re chronically tired) [10]
Reviewing substance use, medications, and medical conditions that affect attention [9]
Looking for trauma-related hypervigilance, intrusive thoughts, or dissociation that can fragment attention [7]
Sometimes the outcome is ADHD. Sometimes it’s “ADHD plus anxiety.” Sometimes it’s not ADHD, but your executive function still needs support.
If your main need is skill-building right now, executive function coaching can be a practical bridge while you pursue a formal evaluation.
When to Get Support Soon
Screening is a starting point. Timing matters when symptoms are actively disrupting your life.
Work/school functioning
Consider getting help sooner if you’re facing:
Repeated warnings, missed deadlines, or job jeopardy
Academic probation, withdrawal, or frequent incomplete work
Severe time-management issues that you can’t “power through” anymore
Relationship strain
It’s also worth moving up the timeline if ADHD-like patterns are impacting:
Emotional reactivity and conflict cycles
Shared responsibilities (finances, chores, parenting)
Trust (forgetting important commitments, chronic lateness)
Support can include therapy (including for anxiety, OCD, or trauma), sleep-focused treatment, coaching, and structured assessment.
If sleep is part of the picture, start with our insomnia support options. If trauma is in the mix, see our trauma-focused care resources.
Safety concerns and where to go for urgent help
If you’re having thoughts of harming yourself, feel unsafe, or are in immediate danger:
Call or text 988 (U.S. Suicide and Crisis Lifeline)
Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room
For Tennessee-specific crisis info, the state’s 988 page includes additional guidance. [14,15]
🆘 Key takeaway: If safety is a concern, don’t wait for an ADHD assessment appointment. Crisis support is for “right now.” [14]
Take the ASRS + Next Steps
Access the ASRS v1.1
You can take the ASRS screener here: ASRS adult ADHD screener.
If you’ve already taken an ASRS test online elsewhere, consider retaking it here so you know you’re using a stable, clinic-vetted version.
Continue to your adult ADHD assessment pathway
If your ASRS suggests ADHD, the next step is a comprehensive evaluation. Start with our psychological assessments pathway and then contact our team to discuss the best fit for your goals (diagnostic clarity, medication documentation, accommodations, or treatment planning).
Ask about telehealth options when clinically appropriate. Telehealth can reduce barriers like travel time and scheduling load, while still supporting a thorough assessment process.
Summary
The ASRS v1.1 is a widely used adult ADHD screener because it’s quick and grounded in established symptom criteria. But it’s still a screening tool.
If your ASRS score is high, it may point toward ADHD, or it may reflect sleep loss, anxiety, depression, trauma, burnout, or substance-related effects. The difference is usually found in the timeline, cross-setting impairment, and a careful differential diagnosis.
If you want next steps that are clear, calm, and evidence-informed, start with our mental health screening library and reach out to explore assessment and support options.
About the Author
ScienceWorks is led by Dr. Kiesa Kelly. She provides therapy and assessment services for concerns including ADHD, autism, OCD, trauma, and insomnia.
Her background includes doctoral training in clinical psychology with a concentration in neuropsychology, and experience in psychological assessment and ADHD-focused research and clinical work.
References
Kessler RC, Adler L, Ames M, et al. The World Health Organization Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS): a short screening scale for use in the general population. Psychol Med. 2005;35(2):245-256. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291704002892
Harvard Medical School, National Comorbidity Survey (NCS). ASRS v1.1 Screener instruments and linking guidance. https://www.hcp.med.harvard.edu/ncs/asrs.php
Harvard Medical School, National Comorbidity Survey (NCS). Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS-V1.1) Screener (6 questions) [PDF]. https://www.hcp.med.harvard.edu/ncs/ftpdir/adhd/6Q_ASRS_English.pdf
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: diagnosis and management (NG87). Recommendations: diagnosis and assessment. https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng87/chapter/Recommendations
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Depression. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression
World Health Organization (WHO). Burn-out an “occupational phenomenon”: International Classification of Diseases. https://www.who.int/news/item/28-05-2019-burn-out-an-occupational-phenomenon-international-classification-of-diseases
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd
American Psychiatric Association. ADHD in Adults (patient information): evaluation and treatment overview. https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/adhd/adhd-in-adults
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Adults: Quick Reference Guide [PDF]. https://www.pbm.va.gov/PBM/AcademicDetailingService/Documents/508/10-1659_ADHD_QRG_P97097.pdf
García A, Gómez-Álvarez M, Navarro-Lobato I, et al. Sleep deprivation effects on basic cognitive processes. Sleep Sci. 2021;14(1):1-7. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8340886/
Bianchi R, Schonfeld IS, Laurent E. Examining the evidence base for burnout. Nat Rev Psychol. 2023;2:645-646. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10630726/
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/generalized-anxiety-disorder-gad
Dunlop BW, Wu H, Helms K, et al. Performance of the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale-v1.1 in adults with major depressive disorder. Ann Gen Psychiatry. 2018;17:26. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5946096/
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. https://988lifeline.org/
Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (Tennessee). https://www.tn.gov/behavioral-health/crisis/988.html
Disclaimer
This article is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you think you may have ADHD or another mental health condition, seek evaluation from a qualified healthcare professional. If you are in crisis or think you may harm yourself or someone else, call or text 988 in the U.S. or call 911 immediately.