Home » Resources » Recent developments in the psychosocial treatment of adult ADHD

Resources

Title Recent developments in the psychosocial treatment of adult ADHD
Journal National Institutes of Health
Date October 2008
Authors
  1. Laura E. Knouse, PhD: Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
  2. Christine Cooper-Vince, BA: Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
  3. Susan Sprich, PhD: Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
  4. Steven A. Safren, PhD: Massachusetts General Hospital Behavioral Medicine and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
    Contact info: 1 Bowdoin Square, 7th Floor, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
    Telephone: +1 (617) 724-0817, Fax: +1 (617) 724-8690.
    Email: ssafren@partners.org.
Overview A study was done on the effects of cognitive behavior therapy on adults with residual symptoms of ADHD.
Abstract This article studies the effects of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and coaching on patients with residual symptoms of ADHD. In a randomized control trial of 31 adults between the ages of 18 and 65 years, 16 were selected to undergo CBT. The treatment focused on training strategies, addressing dysfunctional cognition and negative emotions that contribute to avoidance, procrastination and attentional shifts. The results showed that CBT was superior to continued medication treatment alone. The article also discusses how cognitive behavior therapy can make a patient aware of skills to deal with new situations and coaching focuses on helping the patient deal with specific problems.
Notable Quote “We conclude that the available data support the use of structured, skills-based psychosocial interventions as a viable treatment for adults with residual symptoms of ADHD.” (Knouse, Cooper-Vince, Sprich, and Safren, 2008, p.1)
Keywords ADHD, cognitive-behavior therapy, psychosocial treatment, psychotherapy
Section / Program ADD / ADHD