Transitioning from high school to college is a pivotal period for young adults. It offers new opportunities for independence but also presents significant challenges. Among these challenges is the diagnosis of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in students who may have previously performed well academically. While it may seem counterintuitive for these students to be diagnosed with ADHD after starting college, the increasing demands of this environment often reveal underlying difficulties that went unnoticed earlier. Research shows that trauma can complicate or mimic ADHD symptoms, raising the question of whether newly diagnosed college students might be reacting to past trauma. This could amplify their symptoms, leading to the need for diagnosis and treatment.

One study, Childhood ADHD Symptoms About Trauma Exposure and PTSD Symptoms Among College Students by Miodus, Allwood, and Amoh (2021), offers important insight into the relationship between ADHD and trauma. Their research explores how childhood trauma may influence the presentation of ADHD symptoms and overlap with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This makes it difficult to distinguish between the two conditions. The study also suggests that while trauma might not cause ADHD, it can amplify symptoms. This can lead to a diagnosis in college, where the demands are more significant, and coping mechanisms may no longer work.

The study by Miodus et al. (2021) found that college students who reported both ADHD........

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