Cognitive-behavioural guidance interventions in adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Introduction. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that may become manifest at any time in life. In 50-70% of children diagnosed with the disorder it presents in adolescence. Young people with ADHD have high rates of comorbidity with other psychiatric disorders and a high degree of functional compromise. Aims. To review the literature on cognitive-behavioural interventions that have been applied to the treatment of ADHD in adolescence. Development. The studies that have been conducted on psychological treatment to date were reviewed, and the interventions were classified into: psychosocial treatments, mindfulness therapy and cognitive-behavioural treatment (individual and in groups). The only study on cognitive-behavioural therapy for adolescents with ADHD is also reviewed, as well as a new intervention protocol for application to groups designed at the Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron. Conclusions. Although there has been a recent increase in the number of publications dealing with the psychological treatment of ADHD in adolescents, there is a need for a greater development of intervention protocols and studies on their efficacy/effectiveness.