Behavior Therapy With Attention Deficit
A new type of behavior therapy focused on developing practical skills, such as administration and planning time, help adults with attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity (DADH), according to a recent study.
The ADHD child is often considered a problem, but it is estimated that in the United States affects 4 percent of adults.
Several investigations showed that the available drugs are effective in adults, but few stopped at the utility of behavior therapy.
Metacognitive Therapy
The new study, published in American Journal of Psychiatry, evaluated the effectiveness of a novel type of therapy called metacognitive, which is aimed at new ways of thinking, to perform everyday tasks and to achieve long-term goals.
In this case, therapy is focused on providing support to adults with ADHD to improve management, planning and organization of time, according to lead author, Dr. Mary V. Solanto, the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York.
The team said randomized 88 adults with ADHD who attended therapy sessions metacognitive therapy or “support”, where a therapist gave information and advice on coping with symptoms.
Patients in both groups received two-hour sessions once a week for 12 weeks. The treated group metacognitive therapy also made “home-exercises” to implement the strategies learned in therapy.
At the end of the evaluation, these patients had fewer symptoms of inattention, as analyzed by an independent psychologist or psychiatrist, who did not know to which group each belonged.
53% positive results
53 percent of the treated group metacognitive therapy responded to treatment, ie had at least 30 percent fewer symptoms of inattention, according to a standardized scale, compared to 28 percent in the other group.
Solanto explained that this second group was used as “control” to isolate the specific effects of metacognitive therapy, beyond the general implications of receiving care from a therapist or collaboration with other patients.
The fact that those treated with metacognitive therapy improved a little more symptoms, suggests that it provides specific benefits for adults with this problem.
In addition, symptoms of inattention tended to improve with the amount of exercise performed at home. That, to Solanto shows that the home component of therapy is “very important” and helps patients apply what they learned.
What is ADHD
Particularly harmful to children. Along with the loss of focus arises hyperactivity, often accompanied by depression, anxiety, eating disorders, substance abuse and social adversity.
SOURCE: American Journal of Psychiatry,
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Posted in Alternative Therapies | 
Tags: Behavior Therapy, DADH, depression, Metacognitive Therapy, social adversity