Cognitive Behavior Group Therapy in Adolescents With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Overview

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder which starts in childhood and is characterized by symptoms of attention deficit, hyperactivity and impulsivity. Persistence into adolescence is frequently associated with among other low educational achievement, interpersonal difficulties, anxious and depressive symptoms and sleep problems. Treatment guidelines recommend psychological treatment as part of the treatment plan, however compared to children and adults, there is still a substantial lack of knowledge about appropriate psychological treatment in adolescents. The present study examines a psychological intervention for adolescents with ADHD, cognitive behavior group therapy. The intervention consists of 12 weekly cognitive behavioral therapy sessions addressing core difficulties and concerns of the adolescent population with ADHD. The investigators wish to determine the efficacy of group therapy in adolescents with ADHD who receive medical treatment but still have impairing ADHD symptoms.

Change February 1st 2017: Inclusion of patients with mild to moderate behavioral problems in order to achieve enough participants in the study. Change February 1st 2017: The study primarily recruits patients who are on pharmacological treatment for ADHD. However, for ethical reasons and in order to achieve enough participants, the study will also recruit patients who have not responded to at least two drug trials or have been unable to continue pharmacological treatment because of intolerable side effects. Change February 1st 2018: The Weiss Functional Impairment Rating Scale, Rosenberg and BRIEF questionnaires will not be collected at the 9-month follow-up due to lack of resources (project assistance).