title: Psychotherapy of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in adults--a pilot study using a structured skills training program.
abstract: In clinical practice many adult patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) ask for an additional psychotherapeutic intervention besides the medical therapy. In this paper we present a structured skill training program particularly tailored for adult patients with ADHD. The program is based on the principles of cognitive-behavioral treatment for borderline personality disorder developed by M. Linehan. It was modified to suit the special needs of adult patients with ADHD. In this exploratory pilot study we tested this program in a group setting. The following elements were presented: neurobiology of ADHD, mindfulness, chaos and control, behavior analysis, emotion regulation, depression, medication in ADHD, impulse control, stress management, dependency, ADHD in relationship and self respect. In an open study design patients were assessed clinically using psychometric scales (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Checklist according to DSM-IV, 16 items of the SCL-90-R, Beck-Depression Inventory, visual analogue scale) prior to and following group therapy. This treatment resulted in positive outcomes in that patients improved on all psychometric scales.
authors.affiliation: Albert-Ludwigs-University, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hauptstr 5, 79104 Freiburg, Germany. bernd_hesslinger@psyallg.ukl.uni-freiburg.de
authors.forename: Bernd
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hesslinger
authors.forename: Ludger
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tebartz van Elst
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nyberg
authors.forename: Petra
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dykierek
authors.forename: Harald
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Richter
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Berner
authors.forename: Dieter
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ebert
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011594:Psychometrics; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome