CAARS: Conners Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Scale
Life isn't fair - you can't just have adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, you have to be rated on a scale to determine just how bad it is. You will inevitably have to go to a therapist in order to help treat your AD/HD, and they will pull out the CAARS, which stands for Conners' Adult Attention Deficit hyperactivity Scale (why they cut the H out of that anocrym, we'll never know).
Who's Conner?
With all of the variations seen in adults with ADHD, the psychiatric profession decided that it needed a scale to determine best how to diagnose and treat patients. The attention deficit hyperactivity disorder scale was actually authored by three doctors, but somehow Dr. Conner got the name. (I guess Sparrow and Erhart, the surnames of the other two, just didn't make as neat an anocrym). Over the years, this test has become the standard for all therapists and is recommended by the psychiatric bible, the DSM-IV.
Don't Worry About Your Weight
The Conners adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder scale is not something you step on, such as with a bathroom scale. This "scale" doesn't measure your weight, but how much ADHD you have. You will be asked a lot of questions and your answers will determine where you fall on the scale. The average time it takes to "weigh" you is about fifteen minutes.
There are two versions of the Conners adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder scale, the CAARS-S:L and CAARS-O:L. The first mishmash of letters is the self test, which you take yourself. The second test is not taken by you, but by your therapist, known as "observer" on the scale. When you have AD/HD, you might be exhibiting behaviors that you are not aware of, but if noted, they can help you get proper treatment. With two tests given, it's not to make sure you don't cheat - it's to be sure nothing is missed that might be important.
When you get your attention deficit hyperactivity disorder scale, you need to be sure you have the right form for your gender. Usually, your doctor will take care of that detail for you, but since the scales are available online, you need to be aware that there are different forms for men and women. This writer could not find a form for hermaphrodites, so you will probably be encouraged to take the form of the sex you most identify with.
