Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

[Jennaay1]

Hello everyone,

I've read a lot of good things about the benefits of cbt for adults with ADHD.

Has anyone tried this?

Thanks!

[cbt4adhd]

Cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT is a generalized form of psychotherapy that has been quite well adapted to helping adults with ADHD. The emphasis is on the consistent use of the coping strategies that are known to be helpful for managing ADHD, such as planners, time management, and various other skills, with a focus on promoting the actual implementation of these skills and addressing barriers (as most people will say they know what skills are helpful but they have difficulties doing them). Procrastination is another big target for treatment.

Thus, the behavioral component focuses on the use of skills and development of adaptive habits (and recognizing escape or avoidant behaviors). It also involves skills related to prioritizing and breaking down tasks and, the biggest step, getting engaged in them.

The cognitive component or managing thoughts and beliefs may focus on negative thoughts that interfere with a task ("I'm not in the mood for this") as well as positive thoughts that interfere with a task ("I work best at the last minute"). Thoughts and beliefs about oneself can also cause difficulties and can be addressed.

Emotional management can be addressed through cognitive and behavioral changes, as well as by learning to accept and tolerate a degree of discomfort that is involved in performing a task that will lead to a good outcome but is a hassle in the moment (homework, going to the gym, household project). Some degree of discomfort can be helpful in order to get started on a task in order to get it out of the way and reframing task engagement as a means for reducing this feeling (i.e., "Once I get started, it is not so bad...") is something that we all know, but CBT helps with actually putting this and other skills into action.

These skills can then be applied to all sorts of school and work tasks, relationships, and self-care behaviors, including sleep.

There are several good books outlining CBT for adult ADHD.

Hope this helps.

[SurfaceSun in reply to cbt4adhd]

I think CBT would help me. I need to find a group or therapist to go to.

[basiccat]

yes, it was good I kinda used the therapist like an add coach more or less. as that is what i needed. that and there is goofy stuff us ADD people do that just noone understands is just frustrating for us. for instance listening to how I frustrate myself with my loosing stuff like my keys or remembering to do XY or Z. Dealing with social interactions is a struggle for me. all these things "women are supposed to be good at" that don't come naturally to me, to help me learn to "speak up" yep it was great. Besides my friends and family don't wanna hear about that and the therapist is paid to hear it.

[SurfaceSun in reply to basiccat]

Exactly the same for me.