Current Status of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Adult Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Section snippets
Cognitive behavioral therapy for adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: conceptual basis
Given that prior research supports a strong neurobiological basis for ADHD, what is the conceptual basis for applying CBT to the disorder in adults? Consistent with current theories of ADHD, the treatment model proposed by Safren and colleagues13 (Fig. 1) begins with the premise that neuropsychological impairments are at the core of the disorder. Deficits in sustained attention, inhibitory control, working memory, and motivation underlie the cardinal symptoms of ADHD: inattention,
Cognitive behavioral therapy for adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: empirical basis
As the authors have discussed elsewhere,15 the current evidence for the use of psychosocial approaches in treating adults with ADHD can best be described as emerging and lags behind the evidence base for medication treatment of adult ADHD11 and cognitive behavioral treatment for other adults disorders (eg, mood and anxiety disorders). Bearing these limitations in mind, the preliminary evidence base for cognitive behavioral approaches applied to this population are promising.
Comparison of cognitive behavioral therapy–oriented approaches
The available data on CBT for adult ADHD suggest that these interventions, as a group, show promise as efficacious interventions; however, more studies of the same treatment and more methodologically rigorous trials are needed. Despite the small overall number of trials, a range of distinct but related approaches have emerged. Can any preliminary conclusions be drawn from existing data regarding the most effective approaches at this stage? If so, common features might suggest promising
Summary and future directions
The conceptual and empirical basis for CBT approaches in adult ADHD is growing and suggests that targeted, skills-based interventions have a role in effectively treating this disorder. At this stage of development, however, subsequent studies must progress in methodological rigor. Additional randomized controlled trials with active control groups are needed and intervention packages must be tested across multiple trials by more than 1 research group. Importantly, nearly all published trials to
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A self-guided internet-delivered intervention for adults with ADHD: Results from a randomized controlled trial
2023, Internet InterventionsA New Organizational and Study Skills Intervention for College Students with ADHD
2022, Cognitive and Behavioral PracticeCitation Excerpt :Organizational, time management, and planning (OTMP) skills were chosen as the focus for this new intervention, as they most directly relate to the executive function deficits characteristic of ADHD and are particularly relevant to the demands of college. These skills also appear to be a common aspect of all effective treatments described above and were found to be particularly supported in a review by Knouse and Safren (2010). OTMP modules in the new intervention focus on helping students implement a calendar and to-do list, prioritize tasks, use rewards for successful task completion, and decrease procrastination.
A self-guided Internet-delivered intervention for adults with ADHD: a protocol for a randomized controlled trial
2021, Internet InterventionsA self-guided Internet-delivered intervention for adults with ADHD: A feasibility study
2021, Internet InterventionsCitation Excerpt :In the past decade, an increasing amount of research has been dedicated to investigating the effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions for adults with ADHD (Knouse and Safren, 2010; Solanto et al., 2018; Young et al., 2016). Most of these interventions are based on principles from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and studies have shown them to be effective in improving ADHD symptoms and other psychosocial problems (Knouse and Safren, 2010; Weiss et al., 2012). Other non-pharmacological treatment interventions, such as Dialectic Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and Goal Management Training (GMT) have also shown promising results for adults with ADHD (In de Braek et al., 2017; Philipsen et al., 2007).
Some of the investigator time for preparation of this paper was supported by NIH Grant 5R01MH69812 to Steven A. Safren and by the Kaplen Fellowship on Depression from Harvard Medical School to Laura E. Knouse.