ADHD Therapy in Denver
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for ADHD
Struggling with ADHD? Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based, effective treatment for ADHD and is shown to improve focus, organization, and functioning at work or school and in social and interpersonal situations.
Understanding ADHD
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by patterns of inattention and/or hyperactivity that interfere with day to day life. It affects millions of people of all ages.
Evidence shows that cognitive behavioral therapy is highly effective for the treatment of ADHD. CBT enhances executive functioning through the development of strategies to improve performance in day to day activities in academic and work settings and interpersonal situations. CBT also treats symptoms and conditions associated with ADHD such as anxiety, low self-esteem and depression.
Common ADHD Symptoms
Mood swings and trouble regulating emotions
Intolerance to stress
Difficulty focusing on/following through on tasks (see also task paralysis)
Restlessness and/or excessive physical activity
Forgetfulness or constantly misplacing/losing things
Excessive talking and interrupting conversations
Uncomfortable in quiet and calm environments
Trouble staying organized/planning ahead
Quick to lose temper
Symptoms can show up at school or work, in social situations and in household organization. These are just a few of the ways ADHD impacts everyday life.
ADHD in Children
ADHD can look different in different children and some gender differences have been observed through research.
Some children act impulsively and may get in trouble for interrupting the teacher and getting out of their seats at inappropriate times. Other kids with ADHD are not disruptive but have difficulty attending to information and may have to work harder than others to get their schoolwork and homework done. Some children with ADHD may have trouble paying attention in class and seem “spacey.” They might find it hard to finish tasks and follow directions.
The school setting is often particularly challenging for children with ADHD. Many children either fall behind academically and eventually believe, “I’m not smart” until diagnosed and properly treated. Other kids with ADHD may get good grades but spend many hours outside of school studying in an attempt to retain the information that other kids remember more easily.
ADHD can have a negative impact on social development as well, especially if the behavior is felt as annoying or aggressive by peers.
ADHD in Adults
ADHD symptoms can manifest differently in children and adults. ADHD is commonly assessed and diagnosed in childhood, but the associated symptoms and problems may also be apparent in adulthood.
In adults, inattention and impulsivity may contribute to professional disruption as well as challenges in maintaining relationships. Adults with ADHD may struggle with staying on task, organization, time management, procrastination, and managing frustration.
Adult women may be newly diagnosed with ADHD despite having it since childhood. Girls and women are often overlooked in having ADHD as they have often learned to compensate for their challenges by overfunctioning through overstudying or excessive attention to details in order to stay organized.
At times there can be a sense of grief when diagnosed as an adult as one looks back and sees how this condition was overlooked and how it has impacted their life in various ways over the years.
How to Treat ADHD
with Cognitive Behavior Therapy
Cognitive behavior therapy is an effective treatment for ADHD in children and adults for clients who have already been diagnosed.
Behavioral Strategies
Behavioral strategies include building a toolbox of skills to help clients with day-to-day functioning at home, work/school and in social situations such as:
time management and scheduling
organization
planning
active listening
study strategies for students
mindfulness
Cognitive Strategies
Cognitive strategies from CBT and ACT can help with negative thought patterns and unhelpful narratives that are often part of the ADHD experience.
For example, a common first thought when faced with a difficult task is: “I can’t do this; I don’t know where to start and I’ll never get it done.”
Your therapist can help you to respond differently to this type of thought by:
changing the unhelpful narrative to a more helpful narrative such as: “These types of tasks aren’t always easy for me, but I have the tools to tackle them efficiently and effectively.”
by accepting the challenge at hand and tackling it anyway
by learning to just notice thoughts but not act on them and instead act based on values and goals
CBT allows people with ADHD to use these strategies when struggling with a variety of challenging situations, tasks and environments. Client learn to build and maintain helpful routines and habits to support greater functioning in all areas of life.
Applying these strategies builds confidence over time and can also help with the anxiety and self-esteem issues that often go hand in hand with ADHD.
Additional Help for ADHD
We also treat attentional issues present with mood and anxiety disorders, PTSD, and other diagnoses.
In addition to individual therapy, we also offer skills groups that can be a useful adjunct to individual therapy for ADHD including Mindfulness for Stress Management and DBT for High School and Middle School Students.
For more information on effective ADHD treatment, contact us.
Contact us
Learn More About ADHD Therapy in Denver
Don’t hesitate to reach out. We can help you decide what might be best for you—whether you're exploring therapy for ADHD or looking to connect with an ADHD specialist in Denver—through an initial phone consultation.
