When first diagnosed with combined-type ADHD, I wasn’t convinced. I don’t fit the stereotype; I’m very organised and efficient. I needed physical proof, and was recommended the QbTest. As the test is not available through the NHS, I paid for it privately (£200) at a local clinic and had to provide a referral letter from my GP.
The test takes only 15-20 minutes on a computer, tracking the movements of patients while measuring the three main symptoms of ADHD: inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity.
Image from the ADHD Foundation
My test was a visual-based one:
1. Shape Discrimination: The screen displays a series of shapes. The test-taker must click the responder button only when a specific shape appears
2. Colour-Based Tasks: Coloured dots or shapes may appear, requiring the test-taker to respond only to certain colours
3. Symbol Matching: Pairs of symbols are shown, and the test-taker must indicate whether they match or differ.
I went ahead with the test, despite inadvertently taking my ADHD stimulant medication that morning. The clinic agreed to test me the following day, without the medication. The results were amazing:
- Test No. 1 (with medication) showed me within the ADHD bracket;
- Test No. 2 (without medication) put me even further into the ADHD bracket.
This, despite thinking I would find the test easier the second time around. Bottom line: I wasn’t able to sustain concentration for 20 minutes on a simple test, and this was detected in facial and physical movements that I wasn’t aware of.
The NHS is considering providing the QbTest alongside the existing assessment process (the DSM-5). While I agree that an assessment is vital, I believe the QbTest could be used as a standalone test, as an initial pointer to ADHD (or to rule it out), in a matter of days or weeks, as against the months or years of NHS waiting lists.
The QbTest convinced me and I now accept my late-life diagnosis. The difficult bit, despite having this new information, is coming to terms with the consequences of having lived most of my life with undiagnosed ADHD. That said, if this simple test could be a first step to diagnosing ADHD, I think £200-£300 money is well spent.
To find out more about QbTest, visit the ADHD Foundation.