AD/HD symptoms in assessment seeking post-secondary students: Has the COVID-19 pandemic made a difference?

Objective: Anecdotally, individuals reporting symptoms of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD) seem to have increased over the past few years, particularly since the onset of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. As such, this study aimed to objectively investigate the validity of this observation.

Method: Using archival data from 667 students assessed in a University-based clinic between 2018 and 2024, self-reported AD/HD symptoms on the Conners' Adult AD/HD Rating Scales-Self-Report: Long Version (CAARS-S:L) were compared across three time periods: pre-COVID (n = 407), during COVID (n = 110), and post-COVID (n = 150).

Results: Results indicate a significant increase in reported symptoms of inattention/memory, impulsivity/emotional lability, DSM-IV inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms, total AD/HD symptoms, and AD/HD index after the pandemic. Notably, there was a significant increase in problems with self-concept during and after the pandemic, and there were no significant changes in symptoms of hyperactivity/restlessness across all time points. However, the actual rate of diagnosed AD/HD in the sample did not significantly change across these periods.

Conclusions: The findings support anecdotal observations and suggest that the pandemic may have exacerbated AD/HD-like symptoms in an assessment-seeking post-secondary population, even among individuals without formal AD/HD diagnoses. Increases in reported AD/HD symptoms may be related to COVID-19 pandemic factors such as heightened stress, disrupted routines, and increased screen time. The results underscore the need for careful diagnostic practices and further research on the impact of environmental factors on AD/HD symptomatology in young adults.