What is ADHD?
ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) is a neurobiological condition that tends to run in families and consists of symptoms of inattention and/or hyperactivity that are significant enough to interfere with an individual’s functioning. Symptoms of ADHD can include:
fidgeting, restlessness, talking excessively, or constantly being in motion as if “driven by a motor”
difficulty completing tasks that require organization, failure to pay attention to details, or procrastination
frequently losing things, being easily distractible, or forgetfulness
ADHD: From Childhood to Adulthood
The conventional wisdom in the medical community used to be that children with ADHD “grew out of” the disorder. However, recent research indicates about half of children with ADHD continue to have significant symptoms (4.4% of adults, Kessler et al, 2006). Unfortunately, of the adults in the US that meet criteria for ADHD, fewer than 11% received treatment for it in the year prior to a recent survey despite the availability of effective treatments.
Cognitive Therapy and ADHD
While treatment of ADHD usually begins with medication, it doesn’t teach the skills that many ADHD sufferers missed during their development. Medication can you concentrate, but it does not tell you what to concentrate on.
Cognitive therapy can fill this gap by teaching skills to help with time management, organization, distractibility, and impulsivity that may not be fully addressed with medication. In addition, it is estimated that 50-75% of adults with ADHD suffer from another mental health condition such as mood, anxiety, and substance abuse disorders, which can also be effectively treated in cognitive therapy in the same practical, skill-building manner as ADHD.
For more information about adult ADHD treatment or to request a presentation at your university or program in the New York City area, email Dr. Fazzari.