Self-report questionnaire
Short answer
A self-report questionnaire is a set of questions you answer about your own experiences, rather than having a clinician or another person rate you. The ASRS v1.1 Screener is one, designed for adults to complete themselves. Self-report captures what only you know, but it depends on memory and self-perception, which is why evaluations add history and other viewpoints.
Some information can only come from you: how often your mind wanders, how much effort a task takes, what goes on inside during a long meeting. A self-report questionnaire is a structured way to gather it.
Meaning
Self-report means the person being described is also the person answering. It contrasts with informant report, where someone who knows you answers, and with clinician ratings, where a professional judges based on interview or observation.
What it captures well
- Inner experiences others cannot see, such as restlessness or mental fog.
- How often things happen across settings others do not witness.
- The effort behind results that look fine from outside.
Where it can mislead
- Recent events can color memories of a longer period.
- People judge "often" against very different standards.
- Mood on the day of answering can shift responses.
- Some behaviors, like interrupting, are easier for others to notice.
For example, someone who has spent years being told they are lazy might rate themselves harshly on every question, while someone surrounded by very disorganized people might feel average by comparison. Neither set of answers is dishonest; both are shaped by context.
Getting the most out of answering about yourself
- Answer on an ordinary day, not right after a very good or very bad one.
- Think about the whole period the questions cover, not the latest week.
- Go with how often something happens, not how much it bothers you.
- If you are torn between two options, choose the one that fits more weeks than not.
Why evaluations look beyond it
A self-report screener is a sensible first step because it is simple and private. It is not designed to stand alone. Both parts of the ADHDFalcon screener are self-report, and the second part, the Attention Profile, is an original non-clinical reflection without norms.
Used that way, a self-report screener is a fair and private first step, and it hands you something concrete to bring into a conversation with a professional.
A starting point for your next step.
Complete the free self-report screenerFrequently asked questions
Are self-report questionnaires reliable?
They can be useful, and the ASRS screener was studied against clinical ratings. They still depend on memory and self-perception, so clinicians add other information.
What is the opposite of self-report?
Informant report, where someone who knows you answers, and clinician rating, where a professional judges from interview or observation.
Should I answer honestly even if it feels embarrassing?
Yes. The screener only helps if answers reflect your typical experience over the past six months.
Sources
Source check: 2026-10-28. No medical review has occurred.
- 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. Psychological Medicine. 2005;35(2):245-256.
- NYU Langone Health, Technology Opportunities & Ventures. ASRS v1.1 18-Question Symptom Checklist (Technology No. ADL01-07), licensing page. Authors Lenard Adler, MD, and Ronald C. Kessler, PhD.
- NIMH, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: What You Need to Know
Published 2026-10-28. Factual source check: ADHDFalcon editorial team, factual source check, 2026-10-28. No medical review has occurred.