Managing ADHD with CBT, sleep therapy

In one episode of "The Simpsons," Principal Skinner calls in Marge and Homer to discuss Bart's disruptive behavior, which he says is fueled by attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. A pretty accurate diagnosis. In fact, when Matt Groening created Bart, he made his behaviors so textbook ADHD that two University of Central Oklahoma students created a YouTube documentary about the lad to explain the condition to their psychology class.

A person with ADHD sometimes can't concentrate long enough to complete a given task (attention deficit) and may display restlessness and compulsive behavior (hyperactivity). Medications such as Adderall (an amphetamine) or Ritalin (methylphenidate) often are helpful, especially for kids. However, many adults with ADHD look for nonpharmacological ways to control the condition. Some alternatives:

  • Research shows weekly group cognitive behavioral therapy sessions focusing on strategies for planning actions, improving time management and easing stress responses are effective. For an ADHD CBT group near you, go to chadd.org.
  • A recent paper indicates that changing light exposure and sleep patterns might ease ADHD symptoms: In 75 percent of ADHD patients, onset of the physiological sleep phase (in which there are changes in the level of the sleep hormone melatonin and sleep-related movements), is delayed by 90 minutes, triggering all kinds of behavioral reactions. For a sleep clinic near you, go to sleepeducation.org/find-a-facility.
  • One study's preliminary findings indicated that moderate doses of commercially available whole green coffee powder improve sustained attention and working memory for folks 18 to 25 and may be helpful for those with ADHD.

 

Mehmet Oz, M.D. is host of "The Dr. Oz Show," and Mike Roizen, M.D. is Chief Wellness Officer and Chair of Wellness Institute at Cleveland Clinic. To live your healthiest, tune into "The Dr. Oz Show" or visit sharecare.com.

 

(c) 2017 Michael Roizen, M.D. and Mehmet Oz, M.D.

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