ADHD & oppositional disorder: symptoms

Answer the following questions by clicking on the appropriate answer or print this page and use it to record your answers.

0 = Never
1 = Sometimes
2 = Often
3 = Very Often

Symptoms of inattention	0	1	2	3
1. Difficulty paying close attention to details or making careless mistakes.
2. Difficulty paying attention to tasks or fun activities.
3. Difficulty listening when spoken to directly.
4. Difficulty organising tasks and activities.
5. Difficulty following through on instructions and failing to finish things.
6. Avoiding doing tasks that require a lot of mental effort (paperwork, chores).
7. Losing things necessary for activities.
8. Easily distracted.
9. Forgetful in daily activities.

Hyperactivity/impulsivity	0	1	2	3
10. Fidgety and squirmy.
11. Difficulty remaining seated.
12. Feeling restless or excessive running about.
13. Difficulty engaging in leisure activities or doing fun things quietly.
14. Always "on the go" or acting as if "driven by a motor."
15. Talking excessively.
16. Blurting out answers to questions before they were completed.
17. Difficulty awaiting turn.
18. Interrupting people or intruding on others.

Symptoms of oppositional defiant disorder (ODD)	0	1	2	3
1. Difficulty losing temper or frequent temper outbursts.
2. Arguing with others, especially those in authority.
3. Defiance or refusing to do what one is told.
4. Deliberately annoying others.
5. Blaming others for one's own misbehaviours or mistakes.
6. Touchy or easily annoyed by others.
7. Angry and resentful.
8. Taking anger out on others or trying to get even.

Children:

Ratings of 2 or 3 for 6 to 9 items of inattention, and/or 6 to 9 items of hyperactive/impulsive symptoms from the parent and/or teacher is suggestive of ADHD and the need for a full diagnostic assessment. 4 to 8 items rated 2 or 3 in the ODD category is suggestive of problems with oppositional defiant disorder.

Adults:

The same ratings can be used, but both the adult, and someone else such as a parent, spouse, or employer, need to complete the rating scale. If the ratings suggest ADHD contact your doctor to discuss further.

It is important that the doctor makes sure that the patient's symptoms are not being caused by psychiatric illnesses other than ADHD. The doctor also needs to find out if the patient has ADHD and another problem as well. About 2/3 of individuals with ADHD also have another major condition such as a learning disability, Tourette's syndrome, depression, bipolar disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, anxiety disorders, substance abuse, or a personality disorder. In these cases the other disorder may cause as much difficulty as the ADHD itself, and is also likely to influence the treatment the patient requires.