CBT for ADHD

Plain-language summary

Research suggests that cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can be a helpful intervention for adults with ADHD, potentially improving not only core ADHD symptoms but also related challenges. While many studies show positive results, evidence can be mixed, and a variety of CBT approaches exist, including those delivered online or via video conference.

Key findings

• CBT-based interventions for adults with ADHD may offer benefits beyond just the main ADHD symptoms.
• Non-pharmacological approaches, including CBT, are being explored for adult ADHD.
• Various formats of CBT, such as internet-delivered and videoconference-based, are being studied for their effectiveness in adults with ADHD.
• CBT might be helpful for different presentations of ADHD, including those where inattention is the primary concern.
• CBT can be a useful addition to medication for adults with ADHD.

Studies cited (8)

1. Effectiveness of cognitive behavioural-based interventions for adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder extends beyond core symptoms: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials — Liu CI, Hua MH, Lu ML (2023, Psychology and psychotherapy, meta-analysis)

   DOI: 10.1111/papt.12455

2. Non-pharmacological interventions for adult ADHD: a systematic review — Nimmo-Smith V, Merwood A, Hank D (2020, Psychological medicine, systematic-review)

   DOI: 10.1017/S0033291720000069

3. Cognitive behavioral therapy for ADHD predominantly inattentive presentation: randomized controlled trial of two psychological treatments — Strålin EE, Thorell LB, Lundgren T (2025, Frontiers in psychiatry, rct)

   DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1564506 PMCID: PMC12018340

4. Videoconference-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Medication-Treated Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Randomized, Assessor-Blinded, Controlled Trial — Eto A, Endo A, Yoshida T (2025, Psychotherapy and psychosomatics, rct)

   DOI: 10.1159/000546539

5. Internet delivered cognitive behavioral therapy for adults with ADHD - A randomized controlled trial — Nasri B, Cassel M, Enhärje J (2023, Internet interventions, rct)

   DOI: 10.1016/j.invent.2023.100636 PMCID: PMC10359875

6. A comparison of efficacy between cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and CBT combined with medication in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) — Pan MR, Huang F, Zhao MJ (2019, Psychiatry research, other)

   DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2019.06.040

7. Cognitive-behavioural interventions for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults — Lopez PL, Torrente FM, Ciapponi A (2018, The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, other)

   DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD010840.pub2 PMCID: PMC6494390

8. AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGISTS AND AMERICAN COLLEGE OF ENDOCRINOLOGY COMPREHENSIVE CLINICAL PRACTICE GUIDELINES FOR MEDICAL CARE OF PATIENTS WITH OBESITY — Garvey WT, Mechanick JI, Brett EM (2016, Endocrine practice : official journal of the American College of Endocrinology and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, other)

   DOI: 10.4158/EP161365.GL