DBT can help individuals with ADHD manage emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, and interpersonal difficulties.

By teaching skills such asmindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness, DBT can help those with ADHD better cope with their symptoms and improve overall functioning, making it a valuable complementary treatment approach although alternative management methods should be considered.

Whilepharmacological treatmentsare often the first-line approach for managingADHD symptoms, psychosocial interventions can provide additional support and help individuals develop coping strategies.

The four components of DBT can each be used to help someone with ADHD manage their symptoms.

An infographic titled ‘How DBT can help with ADHD’ with 4 panels explaining how DBT techniques of mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation and interpersonal effectiveness can be applied to ADHD

What is Dialectical Behavior Therapy?

The therapy combines cognitive-behavioral techniques withmindfulnessand acceptance strategies to help individuals regulate their emotions, tolerate distress, and improve interpersonal relationships.

Key components of DBT include:

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) concept. It is a type of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) that teaches people to be in the moment and stress regulation.

How Can DBT Be Applied to ADHD?

While DBT was not specifically designed for ADHD, many of its principles and strategies can be adapted to address the challenges associated with the disorder and helpmanage ADHD symptoms.

Examples of DBT Strategies for ADHD

Below are some examples of DBT strategies that could be used to help someone manage their symptoms of ADHD:

Mindfulness exercises

Practicing mindfulness through activities such as deep breathing, body scans, or guided meditations can help individuals with ADHD focus their attention, reduce stress, and manage impulsivity.

Behavior chain analysis

This DBT technique involves identifying the sequence of events, thoughts, and feelings leading up to a problematic behavior (e.g., an impulsive outburst).

By understanding these patterns, individuals can develop alternative coping strategies.

Opposite action

When faced with intense emotions that may lead to impulsive behaviors, DBT encourages individuals to act opposite to their emotional urges.

For example, if feeling angry and wanting to lash out, the opposite action might be to take a break and engage in a calming activity.

DEAR MAN

This acronym represents a set of skills for effective interpersonal communication: Describe the situation, Express your feelings, Assert your needs, Reinforce the positive consequences of getting what you want, stay Mindful, Appear confident, and Negotiate if needed.

Effectiveness of DBT for ADHD

Research on the use of DBT for ADHD is still emerging, but several studies have shown promising results:

Limitations and Considerations

While the research on DBT for ADHD shows promise, there are some limitations and considerations to keep in mind:

Conclusion

By teaching skills such as mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness, DBT can help individuals with ADHD better manage their symptoms and improve their overall functioning.

While more research is needed to establish the effectiveness of DBT for ADHD, the existing evidence suggests that it can be a valuable addition to a comprehensive treatment plan.

References

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.).https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425787

Fleming, A. P., McMahon, R. J., Moran, L. R., Peterson, A. P., & Dreessen, A. (2015). Pilot randomized controlled trial of dialectical behavior therapy group skills training for ADHD among college students.Journal of attention disorders,19(3), 260-271.https://doi.org/10.1177/1087054714535951

Halmøy, A., Ring, A. E., Gjestad, R., Møller, M., Ubostad, B., Lien, T., Munkhaugen, E. K., & Fredriksen, M. (2022). Dialectical behavioral therapy-based group treatment versus treatment as usual for adults with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: a multicenter randomized controlled trial.Bmc Psychiatry,22(1), 738.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-022-04356-6

Hirsch, O., Chavanon, M., Riechmann, E., & Christiansen, H. (2018). Emotional dysregulation is a primary symptom in adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).Journal of affective disorders,232, 41-47.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2018.02.007

Linehan, M. M. (1993). Cognitive-behavioral treatment of borderline personality disorder. Guilford Press.

Meyer, J., Zetterqvist, V., Unenge Hallerbäck, M., Ramklint, M., & Isaksson, J. (2022). Moderators of long-term treatment outcome when comparing two group interventions for adolescents with ADHD: who benefits more from DBT-based skills training?.BMC psychiatry,22(1), 767.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-022-04435-8

Wehmeier, P. M., Schacht, A., & Barkley, R. A. (2010). Social and emotional impairment in children and adolescents with ADHD and the impact on quality of life.Journal of Adolescent health,46(3), 209-217.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2009.09.009

an infographic titled ‘how DBT can help with ADHD’ and 4 square panels outlining 4 different DBT techniques, a brief description and an associated image for each.

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Saul McLeod, PhD

BSc (Hons) Psychology, MRes, PhD, University of Manchester

Saul McLeod, PhD., is a qualified psychology teacher with over 18 years of experience in further and higher education. He has been published in peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of Clinical Psychology.

Olivia Guy-Evans, MSc

BSc (Hons) Psychology, MSc Psychology of Education

Olivia Guy-Evans is a writer and associate editor for Simply Psychology. She has previously worked in healthcare and educational sectors.