title: Early maladaptive schemas in adult patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
abstract: The main purpose of this study was to examine whether adult patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) demonstrate sets of dysfunctional cognitive beliefs and behavioural tendencies according to Jeffrey Young's schema-focused therapy model. Sets of dysfunctional beliefs (maladaptive schemas) were assessed with the Young Schema Questionnaire (YSQ-S2) in 78 adult ADHD patients and 80 control subjects. Patients with ADHD scored significantly higher than the control group on almost all maladaptive schemas. The 'Failure', 'Defectiveness/Shame', 'Subjugation' and 'Emotional Deprivation' schemas were most pronounced in adult ADHD patients, while only 'Vulnerability to Harm or Illness' did not differ between the two groups. The schemas which were most pronounced in adult patients with ADHD correspond well with their learning histories and core symptoms. By demonstrating the existence of early maladaptive schemas in adults suffering from ADHD, this study suggests that schema theory may usefully be applied to adult ADHD therapy.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Medical Campus University of Oldenburg, 26111, Oldenburg, Germany. Alexandra.Philipsen@uni-oldenburg.de.|Psychiatry and Psychotherapy - University Hospital, Karl-Jaspers-Klinik, Hermann-Ehlers-Straße 7, 26160, Bad Zwischenahn, Germany. Alexandra.Philipsen@uni-oldenburg.de.|Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Freiburg, Hauptstr. 5, 79104, Freiburg, Germany. Alexandra.Philipsen@uni-oldenburg.de.
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Philipsen
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Medical Campus University of Oldenburg, 26111, Oldenburg, Germany.|Psychiatry and Psychotherapy - University Hospital, Karl-Jaspers-Klinik, Hermann-Ehlers-Straße 7, 26160, Bad Zwischenahn, Germany.
authors.forename: Alexandra P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.affiliation: University Hospital of Psychiatry, University of Bern, Bolligenstrasse 111, 3000, Bern 60, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Sigrid
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Breit
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Medical Campus University of Oldenburg, 26111, Oldenburg, Germany.|Psychiatry and Psychotherapy - University Hospital, Karl-Jaspers-Klinik, Hermann-Ehlers-Straße 7, 26160, Bad Zwischenahn, Germany.
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lücke
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Medical Campus University of Oldenburg, 26111, Oldenburg, Germany.|Psychiatry and Psychotherapy - University Hospital, Karl-Jaspers-Klinik, Hermann-Ehlers-Straße 7, 26160, Bad Zwischenahn, Germany.
authors.forename: Helge H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Müller
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Freiburg, Hauptstr. 5, 79104, Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Swantje
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Matthies
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008960:Models, Psychological
keywords: Adult ADHD; Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; Early maladaptive schemas; Young Schema Questionnaire