Table 2 University students with ADHD – Summary of key findings (From Sedgwick [21]

Academic, social & psychological functioning

● Poor performance in time-limited exams and poor overall academic achievement.

● Lower levels of social adjustment, social skills, and self-esteem in relationships.

● A range of factors predicted academic success including better coping strategies, a positive mental attitude/resilience and physical exercise.

Giftedness

● High intelligence quotient (IQ) does not preclude the possibility of having ADHD.

● Students who get good grades but still report ADHD related symptoms are most at risk of not getting diagnosed and treated.

New media technologies (NMTech)

● NMTech could precipitate or perpetuate ADHD-related behaviours.

● Internet overuse (or addiction).

● Important to ask about NMTech use during assessments for ADHD.

Treatment

● Paucity of research in university students with ADHD.

● Academic performance and achievement improve with medical treatment.

● Coaching is not defined as a psychological treatment, but it may be useful.

Substance misuse & non-medical use of stimulants

● Likely to misuse tobacco, alcohol and other licit or illicit substances.

● Prevalence rates for use of psychostimulants as “study drugs” is between 5 and 35% in North American and 0.8–16% in Europe, but even lower in Ireland and the UK.

Malingering

● Concerns about students feigning ADHD to get a prescription for stimulant medication, but detection depends on the knowledge, skills and expertise of the practitioner undertaking a diagnostic assessment.