ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. As the name implies, children and adults who suffer from this syndrome have difficulty paying attention to a given task, and can’t seem to stay on one train of thought for long. They may also appear to have trouble listening, have a reputation for constant lateness, and live in a general state of disorganization. 

As to what ADHD actually is, that’s a matter of neuroscience. Basically, someone with ADHD lacks the neurotransmitter norepinephrine. This hinders their executive brain function, which limits their ability for impulse control and decreases attention span.

Today, ADHD is largely recognized as a genetic disorder, meaning that if a child’s parent or parents exhibit a deficiency in norepinephrine, that child is likely to show signs of ADHD. There is ongoing research into whether exposure to certain toxins, premature birth, and other environmental factors might have some bearing on the eventual emergence of ADHD, but no hard evidence backs up these claims yet. 

Unsurprisingly, studies suggest that college students suffering from ADHD have less academic success and experience higher rates of emotional distress than students who do not struggle with this disorder. Just how common is this disorder in college students, though, and how can it be mitigated?

Stimulant prescriptions like Adderall are thought to be the most immediately effective means by which to reduce ADHD symptoms. In turn, the use of Adderall can seem like a quick way for college students to improve their academic performance. The problem is, Adderall has gained such a reputation on college campuses that even students who do not suffer from ADHD abuse the medication. 

For those with an Adderall prescription due to an ADHD diagnosis, abuse is an even slippier slope. This is underscored by the fact that pressure and expectation for improved performance as well as access to the medication are two of the largest risk factors for abuse.

Even if a college student has been diagnosed with ADHD and prescribed Adderall, it’s easy to become addicted. Taking any amount of the medication beyond the dose prescribed by the doctor is an abuse; someone addicted to Adderall might have trouble sleeping, lose a great deal of weight due to decreased appetite, and seem extraordinarily excitable, among other things. 

It’s important to remember that Adderall is an amphetamine. It enables college students to do things like stay up all night studying without losing their focus. Given the intense stress these students experience, it’s not hard to see why Adderall abuse runs rampant on college campuses.