Use of a Brief Cognitive-Behavioral Intervention to Address Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity-Related Difficulties of College Students

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is often diagnosed in childhood but persists into adulthood in many cases. This disorder, which is defined by the core symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity, is also associated with impairment in academic settings, interpersonal relationships, and behavioral risk taking. While ADHD is most often treated with medication (e.g., stimulants), brief psychosocial treatments have also been shown to produce improvement in adults with ADHD, although these have not been adequately tested in college-aged populations. The current study tested a brief, eight-session cognitive-behavioral protocol in a case-series design with four college students with ADHD. Participants completed measures tapping ADHD symptoms as well as symptoms of anxiety and depression, and others which tapped general impairment in academic, social and employment domains. The findings indicate that the protocol may be an effective, short-term treatment option for college students with ADHD.