Manual

CAARS 2 Manual

Appendix A: Items by Scale

CAARS 2 (Full-Length)
CAARS 2–Short
CAARS 2–ADHD Index

DO NOT COPY

This appendix provides a list of items by scale for the full-length Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scales 2nd Edition (CAARS™ 2), the CAARS™ 2–Short, and the CAARS™ 2–ADHD Index. A list of items by scale is also available within each CAARS 2 report. These items and scales are provided to aid the use and interpretation of the tool by qualified users only (see Users and User Qualifications in chapter 1, Introduction). Contents of this appendix are copyrighted/trade secret material that is not intended for public disclosure. This content should not be used outside of the listed uses of the CAARS 2.

Legend for all tables in this appendix: SR = Self-Report; OBS = Observer; n/a = not applicable (the item does not appear on this form); (R) = Reverse-scored item.

Item #	SR Item Text [In general...]
2	I try to follow the rules. (R)
18	I am unable to control my behavior.
35	One minute is the longest I can focus on anything.
50	I still throw tantrums.
55	I offer help when someone needs it. (R)
71	I grab things from other people without asking.

Item #	OBS Item Text [In general, this person...]
2	tries to follow the rules. (R)
18	is unable to control their own behavior.
35	is unable to focus on anything for longer than one minute.
50	throws tantrums.
55	is unable to pay attention to anything.
71	finds it impossible to get things done because they forget how to do them.

Pair	SR Item #	SR Item Text [In general...]	SR Item #	SR Item Text [In general...]
1	32	I feel like a failure.	36	My past failures make it hard for me to believe in myself.
2	65	I fidget.	72	I tap my hands or feet.
3	17	It's hard for me to stay focused.	31	It's hard for me to pay attention.
4	66	I'm easily irritated.	76	I am easily frustrated.
5	52	I feel restless.	78	I feel restless inside even if I am sitting still.
6	21	I have difficulty prioritizing the things I need to do.	23	I have problems organizing my tasks and activities.
7	5	I feel like other people are better than me.	13	I lack confidence in myself.

Pair	OBS Item #	[In general, this person...]	OBS Item #	[In general, this person...]
1	31	has difficulty paying attention.	41	is easily distracted.
2	21	has difficulty prioritizing the things they need to do.	64	has trouble finishing tasks at home, work, or school.
3	32	feels like a failure.	36	expresses lack of confidence in self because of past failures.
4	13	lacks confidence in themself.	59	believes in themself. (R)
5	66	is irritable.	76	is easily frustrated.
6	68	has a hard time doing things that have multiple steps.	79	has difficulty paying close attention to details.
7	39	forgets to do things.	47	is forgetful

Item #	SR Item Text	OBS Item Text
	[In general...]	[In general, this person...]
42	I feel anxious or worried.	seems anxious or worried.
74	I feel sad or empty.	seems sad.
	[Think about your entire life, then answer the following item.]	[Think about this person's entire life, then answer the following item.]
89	I have thought about or attempted suicide.	has tried to kill themself or expressed thoughts about killing themself.
90	I have deliberately harmed my body (for example, by cutting or burning myself).	has deliberately harmed their body (for example, by cutting or burning).

SR Item #	SR Item Text [In general...]
1	I lose or misplace things that I need.
4	I talk too much.
6	I can only concentrate on things that are interesting to me.
8	I need a deadline to get things done.
17	It's hard for me to stay focused.
25	I need reminders to get things done.
31	It's hard for me to pay attention.
41	I am easily distracted.
44	I interrupt people.
58	Sometimes my attention narrows so much that I'm oblivious to everything else; other times it's so broad that everything distracts me.
64	I have trouble finishing tasks at home, work, or school.
65	I fidget.

OBS Item #	OBS Item Text [In general, this person...]
3	has difficulty staying focused.
6	has difficulty prioritizing the things they need to do.
7	lacks confidence in themself.
8	talks when they should be quiet, like during movies, lectures, or performances.
11	procrastinates.
16	has difficulty paying attention.
22	is easily distracted.
30	is self-critical.
31	needs reminders to get things done.
35	sometimes overfocuses on details; at other times appears distracted by everything going on around them.
46	is impulsive.
50	has a harder time with things than other people do.

Item #	SR Item Text [In general...]	OBS Item Text [In general, this person...]
9	I give answers before questions have been completed.	gives answers before questions have been completed.
12	I have difficulty waiting to speak in conversations.	has difficulty waiting to speak in conversations.
16	I annoy other people without meaning to.	annoys other people without meaning to.
24	I'd rather get a small reward right away instead of waiting for a big reward later.	would rather get a small reward right away instead of waiting for a big reward later.
30	I do risky things without thinking.	does risky things without thinking.
38	I say things without thinking.	says things without thinking.
44	I interrupt people.	interrupts people.
48	I intrude on others' activities.	intrudes on others' activities.
53	It's hard to wait for my turn.	has difficulty waiting for their turn.
56	I am impatient.	seems impatient.
62	I rush through things.	rushes through things.
67	I act before I think.	acts before thinking.
75	I am impulsive.	is impulsive.

Item #	SR Item Text	OBS Item Text
	[Think about your answers so far.]	[Think about your answers so far.]
81	How much do the things you described on this form bother you?	How much do the things you described on this form bother this person?
82	How much do the things you described on this form interfere with your life?	How much do the things you described on this form interfere with this person's life?
	[In general...]	[In general, this person...]
83	I have problems in my romantic/marital relationship(s).	has problems in their romantic/marital relationship(s).
84	I have problems in my relationships with family members.	has problems in their relationships with family members.
85	I have problems in my relationships with friends, co-workers, or neighbors.	has problems in their relationships with friends, co-workers, or neighbors.
86	I have problems at work and/or school.	has problems at work and/or school.
87	Things are harder for me than they are for other people.	has a harder time with things than other people do.
88	I am an underachiever.	is an underachiever.
91	I have sleep problems (such as falling asleep, staying asleep, or feeling well-rested).	has sleep problems (such as falling asleep, staying asleep, or feeling well-rested).
92	I have problems managing money (like overspending, too much debt, or paying bills late).	has problems managing money (like overspending, too much debt, or paying bills late).
93	I neglect important family or household responsibilities.	neglects important family or household responsibilities.
94	I take risks when driving (for example, I speed or drive recklessly, I drive while under the influence or while texting).	takes risks when driving (for example, speeds or drives recklessly, drives while under the influence or while texting).
95	The time I spend online (for example, on social media, gaming, or gambling) makes it hard for me to get things done.	spends so much time online (for example, on social media, gaming, or gambling) that it's hard for them to get things done.

Item #	SR Item Text	OBS Item Text
96	Please describe any other issues or problems.	Please describe any other issues or problems.
97	What are your main strengths or skills?	What strengths or skills does this person have?

Appendices

CAARS 2 Manual

Appendix A: Items by Scale

Appendix A: Items by Scale

CAARS 2 (Full-Length)

Response Style Analysis – Validity Scales

Associated Clinical Concern Items

Content Scales

DSM Symptom Scales

CAARS 2–ADHD Index (12 items)

Impairment & Functional Outcome Items (13 items)

Additional Questions (2 items)

CAARS 2–Short

Response Style Analysis – Validity Scales

Content Scales

CAARS 2–ADHD Index (12 items)

Additional Questions (2 items)

CAARS 2–ADHD Index