Behavioural therapy in adolescents and adults

Abstract

Many different kinds of group or individual psychotherapeutic interventions, applied to the special needs of patients with ADHD, already exist (e.g. cognitive–behavioural therapy [CBT], coaching, problem-focused therapy, meta-cognitive training, mindfulness-based interventions, psychoeducation, and dialectical behaviour therapy [DBT]-based cognitive therapy). Most of these treatments are behaviourally orientated, and are predominantly modularly structured. CBT has been investigated most frequently and is regarded as the most effective psychological treatment option. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines recommend CBT as appropriate for adolescents with moderate impairments and for adults, i.e. if drug treatment has proved to be only partially effective or ineffective. Interventions treating adolescents with ADHD are frequently based on CBT principles, behavioural therapy approaches, and cognitive and social skills training techniques addressing the patient, parents, or teachers. Unfortunately, interventions for adolescents have been investigated on a comparatively limited scale.