Cognitive behavior therapy for adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A review of recent randomized controlled trials

Abstract

To review the efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy for adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Recent, controlled studies of the efficacy of Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) treatment in adults with ADHD are reviewed. CBT is a feasible and acceptable treatment strategy in medicated adults with ADHD that leads to improvement in ADHD symptoms and co-morbid problems. CBT includes delivery of cognitive and/or emotional strategies to individuals or groups of 4 to 10 participants. The number of CBT sessions may vary from 6 to 14. Blinding may help reduce response bias. Coaching and homework may enhance motivation as well as help in generalizing strategies to patient's daily lives. Outcomes studied include participants' self-reports of symptoms and evaluator reports based on standardized measures of ADHD and its comorbidities. CBT is an effective treatment for adults with ADHD particularly when combined with medication. © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2012.