Comparing the Effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy to Stimulant Medication for

ADHD

Kyle McNamaraArgosy University Online

What is ADHD?

• ADHD is a biological development disorder with three hallmark symptoms;

• Inattention

• Hyperactivity

• Impulsiveness (Lavoi, 2008).

Continued

• The DSM-IV classifies three separate subtypes in the diagnosis of ADHD;

• Predominately Inattentive

• Predominately Hyperactive

• Combined Inattentive/Hyperactive

Stimulant Medication

• One of the most common treatment options for ADHD is stimulant medication.

• The two main forms of medication used are Methylphenidate (MPH) and amphetamines (Findling, 2008).

Efficacy of Stimulant Medication

• Research studies have continually shown both immediate release and controlled release MPH to be effective and tolerable long-term.

• Studies have shown the use of stimulant medication to be extremely effective in combatting the symptoms of

ADHD.

Need for Individually Specific Dosage

• The type and intensity of ADHD and its symptoms varies greatly between individuals (Powell et al., 2011).

• Comorbid disorders may also develop such as depression, anxiety or substance abuse (Powell et al., 2011).

• These issues dictate a need to take each individual case separately in order to provide proper dosage and medication option (Powell, et al., 2011).

Weaknesses of Stimulant Medication

• The major problem with stimulant medication is the potential for abuse or illegal distribution.

• There has long been a stigma associated with its use for children and questions

regarding its safety.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

• Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is another commonly used treatment

option for ADHD.• Advocates for CBT view ADHD as a cognitive deficiency that prevents a child from thinking properly before acting on an impulse (Miranda, Presentacion, 2000).

Continued

• CBT consists of teaching kids methods of self-control to alter behavior and cognitive functioning (Miranda, Presentacion, 2000).

• Modeling is a technique used to help teach children acceptable behavior (Miranda, Presentacion, 2000).

Efficacy of CBT for ADHD

• CBT was found to be effective in reducing aggression when paired with anger management (Miranda, Presentacion, 2000).

• Research on CBT for adolescents with ADHD showed significant reductions in problem areas specific to this age group (Sibley et al., 2010).

Combined medication and CBT

• Combining CBT with stimulant medication may be the most effective method of treatment

• Research on adults with ADHD showed tremendous improvement when combining CBT with stimulant medication (“Cognitive Behavioral,” 2010).

Conclusion

• Both stimulant medication and CBT are effective forms of treatment for ADHD.

• It is important for doctors or therapists to take into account all the extraneous variables and issues particular to each individual in determining effective treatment and dosage options.

• Further research needs to be conducted on the effectiveness of combined treatment especially with regards to children.

References

Chelonis, J. J., Johnson, T. A., Ferguson, S. A., Berry, K. J., Kubacak, B., Edwards, M. C., Paule, M. G., (2011).

Effect of methylphenidate on motivation in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

Experimental and clinical psychopharmacology, 19(2), 145-153. doi:10.1037/a0022794

Findling, R. L., (2008). Evolution of the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children: a

review. Clinical Therapeutics, 30(5), 942-957. doi:10.1016/j.clinthera.2008.05.006 

Lavoie, T. (2008, Part 1: Introduction and overview to ADHD. The Exceptional Parent, 38(3), 74-74-75.

Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/223497621?accountid=34899

Continued

Miranda, A., & Presentacion, M. (2000). Efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy in the treatment of children

with adhd, with and without aggressiveness. Psychology in the Schools, 37(2), 169. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

Powell, S. G., Thomsen, P. H., Frydenberg, M., & Rasmussen, H. (2011). Long-term treatment of ADHD with

stimulants: A large observational study of real-life patients. Journal of Attention Disorders, 15(6), 439-439-

451. doi:10.1177/1087054710368486

Sibley, M. H., Pelham, W. E., Evens, S. W., Gnagy, E. M., Ross, M. J., Greiner, R. A., (2010). An evaluation of

a summer treatment program for adolescents with adhd. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 18(4), 530-544.

doi:10.1016/j.cbpra.2010.09.002