Cognitive therapy for attention deficit disorder (ADD, ADHD) teaches individuals how to relax their body and focus their mind. While a percentage of individuals with attention deficit disorder may need medication in addition to cognitive and behavior therapy, a great many can learn to manage their symptoms to the degree where they no longer would be diagnosed with the condition.
Cognitive therapy for attention deficit disorder helps individuals to control their impulsive thoughts and feelings by getting them to talk differently to themselves using self statements that emphasize self control, quieting and slowing down their thoughts.
Cognitive therapy for attention deficit disorder also includes behavioral strategies such as training the individual to relax their bodies through deep breathing, muscle relaxation training, guided imagery, biofeedback and related methods. As the individual learns to calm their body, their mind calms down s well.
Exercises in the office are designed to help the individual block out unwanted thoughts and sounds. Sometimes, cognitive therapy for attention deficit disorder may add complementary methods like hypnosis, to strengthen and reinforce the ability to stay focused and not react to distractions of thoughts, visual and/ or auditory distractions.
As the individual’s skills increase, they are exposed to greater challenges in the office setting and gradually incorporate their new skills in typical situations they encounter in their work, school or athletic arenas.
To be maximally effective, individuals need to commit to maintaining their cognitive and behavioral skills until it becomes an automatic way of thinking and behaving. Just like building and maintaining physical muscle and strength, out mental and emotional skills need to be worked out regularly for us to perform at a high level.
Those with attention deficit disorder have reason to feel optimistic about their potential to effectively manage their symptoms and function as healthy and effective individuals.
