Psychotherapy in adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: implications for treatment and research

Abstract

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a risk factor for co-occurring psychiatric disorders and negative psychosocial consequences in adulthood. Previous trials of psychotherapeutic programs for adult ADHD were based on cognitive behavioral psychotherapeutic approaches and showed significant effects. Targets of psychotherapeutic interventions include not only coping with the core symptoms and associated problems such as depression and anxiety, but also probable consequences such as low self-esteem. Improvements in ADHD symptomatology and associated symptoms have been reported after psychotherapeutic treatment. The support of other participants is strongly regarded as helpful by patients in group therapy. This manuscript provides an overview of psychotherapy approaches and results of studies evaluating programs developed to treat adults with ADHD. Finally, the specific requirements of psychotherapy for adult ADHD as well as further research questions will be discussed.

Keywords::

• ADHD
• adults
• CBT
• group therapy
• psychotherapy

Financial & competing interests disclosure

A Philipsen has, in the past 3 years, been a consultant, a member of an advisory board and a speaker for Janssen-Cilag, Eli Lilly, Shire, Novartis and Medice. She has received research funding from Medice and Janssen-Cilag, and she has been co-investigator of clinical trials initiated by Eli Lilly, Medice and Janssen-Cilag. She is the author of several books on psychotherapy of adult ADHD and a lecturer at the Institutes for Behavioural Therapy. She is not an employee or a shareholder of any of these companies. The author has no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.