Study shows that people with ADHD may benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy

By Staff Writer

In a recent issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers demonstrate how adding cognitive behavioral therapy - an approach that teaches skills for handling life challenges and revising negative thought patterns - to pharmaceutical treatment for Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) significantly improved symptom control in a study of adult patients.

Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital studied adults who were diagnosed with ADHD and who reported reduced but still significant symptoms while taking medication. The participants were randomly assigned to one of two therapeutic approaches. Some participants attended 12 weekly one-on-one counseling sessions with a psychologist or psychology fellow, while the control group received training in muscle relaxation and other techniques, education on how to apply relaxation to ADHD symptoms, and supportive psychotherapy.

The cognitive behavioral therapy sessions included training in areas such as organization and planning, setting priorities and problem solving, coping with distractions and developing adaptive thought responses to stressful situations.

Symptom assessments conducted at the end of the 12-week treatment period revealed that participants who received cognitive behavioral therapy had significantly better symptom control than those who received relaxation training. The benefits were maintained for three to nine months after the study.