The Use of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in the Treatment of Adult ADHD-ADD by Cyndi Sarnoff-Ross is a licensed psychotherapist
On Sep 23 2010 Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital have reported that the use of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for adults with ADHD is more effective then relaxation techniques and educational support. The most common treatment for adults with ADHD is medication, however many adults are either unwilling to take medications or continue to be symptomatic even on meds. Even with the use of medication, many sufferers still need alternative treatments to combat the symptoms of ADHD.
In this study, CBT strategies included psycho-education about ADHD and teaching organization skills as well as ways to reduce distractibility. Study participants were also taught to think more adaptively in circumstances that caused them to become increasingly stressed. There needs to be continued research in this area to determine who the best candidates for CBT are and how to best incorporate its use with patients already using another treatment modality.
According to this study, approximately 4.4 percent of adults in the US have ADHD which is a disorder characterized by marked inattentiveness, difficulty with concentration and focus, and in some cases impulsivity. Teaching patients how to manage their symptoms is useful with regard to any mental health condition; however, in my opinion, patients with ADHD do benefit from awareness about their disorder, so educational support should not be ruled out. Implementing CBT in addition to these other treatments can provide an effective treatment plan.
