title: Cross-sectional study of self-reported ADHD symptoms and psychological comorbidity among college students in Chandigarh, India.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Existence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults is scantily researched in India. There is dearth of information on prevalence of ADHD in college students worldwide. Further, fewer studies in the past have evaluated the impact of ADHD on the psychological well-being of college students.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To study the prevalence of ADHD among college students and psychological problems related to ADHD.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 237 students were recruited from various medical, engineering, and commerce and arts colleges of Chandigarh, India. They were administered the Adult ADHD Self Report Scale v1.1(ASRS) and the Wender Utah Rating Scale (WURS) to diagnose adult ADHD. To assess comorbidities; General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ); Zung Depression Rating Scale (ZDRS); Rosenberg's Self-Esteem Scale (RSES);and questions on emotional stability, social problems, and substance use (alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis) were administered on all participants.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 13 students (5.48%) fulfilled the criteria for adult ADHD. These students experienced significantly higher emotional instability and low self-esteem than those without ADHD (N = 224). The occurrence of psychological problems, depression, social problems, and substance abuse was comparable in students with and without ADHD.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ADHD is prevalent among the college students studying in the most competitive institutes as well. Students with ADHD experience higher emotional instability and poor self-esteem than others. It has little effect on their psychological well-being and social adjustment. Prompt detection and management of ADHD in college students may help them deal with these problems effectively.
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Government Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh, India.
authors: Ishani
authors: I
authors: Jhambh
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Government Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh, India.
authors: Priti
authors: P
authors: Arun
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Government Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh, India.
authors: Jasmin
authors: J
authors: Garg
keywords: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; college students; comorbidity; prevalence