[_bdog]

It shows you're not a doctor, but you're right: it's complicated condition (maybe even "configuration") and on top of that it's hard to diagnose in adults, because they tend to have formed habits around this condition.

There's a crude test though: Take (a small dose) of Ritalin, Adderall or other stimulant that increases activity in the striatum and see:

* Do you mainly feel sweaty, agitated and super-alert: probably no ADHD.

* Do you feel like you're able to think properly for the first time in your life or get sleepy even -> hints to ADHD.

[Retra]

I'm not willing to say that ADHD is a fabrication or anything. I'm just somewhat skeptical that it could be diagnosed without long term observations. (In lieu of self-reported descriptions of symptoms.)

Your crude test really is crude, though: by itself, it invents a condition to match the result of the application of a drug. You could do the same with any drug: "You have VPFP if you use [insert drug here] and feel it improves your life, and you don't otherwise. Let's start writing prescriptions to treat VPFP."

[TrevorJ]

That's probably not the most reliable test to be honest.

Really, the crux of it is this: When you need to concentrate on something that you aren't interested in, are you able to?