Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Adult ADHD: An Integrative Psychosocial and Medical Approach (Practical Clinical Guidebooks) [Paperback]

J. Russell Ramsay (Author), Anthony L. Rostain (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 27, 2007 | ISBN-10: 0415955017 | ISBN-13: 978-0415955010 | Edition: 1

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a disorder that afflicts anywhere from 2 to 5 percent of the adult population (roughly 8-10 million Americans). Among several therapeutic treatment approaches available as a supplement or alternative to medication, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has emerged as the most successful and has the strongest current evidence base of support, while integrative treatment programs that combine CBT and prescription drugs have shown even more promise. In this volume, Ramsay and Rostain provide an overview of symptoms, assessment and diagnosis issues for adult ADHD. Utilizing research, case examples, and a combined biological and psychosocial treatment approach, the authors discuss the many complicated factors that go into treatment, relapse prevention, and long-term management of adult ADHD, including particular focus on comorbidity and medication issues.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A valuable guide for clinicians working with adults who experience the various types of ADHD. Here is a wealth of useful information about etiology, diagnosis, and comorbidity as well as treatment, presented in no-frills prose and interspersed with informative case examples. One gets a clear sense of authorial wisdom and competence—of clinicians who have helped lots of patients bring order to their chaotic lives." - Robert K. A., PsycCritiques

"Ramsay and Rostain rise to the occasion by providing a comprehensive guide for clinicians based on their research-based, multi-modal approach of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and pharmacotherapy used in the University of Pennsylvania Adult ADHD Treatment and Research Program. The authors present the CBT Case Conceptualization model in a clear and concise format, going beyond the basic framework of the model and introducing readers to the specifics of using the model with adult ADHD patients. With the appreciation that effective and appropriate treatment is correlated with research, Ramsay and Rostain devote an entire chapter to presenting research for CBT and pharmacotherapy for adult ADHD. [They] have achieved their goal of providing a user-friendly, comprehensive guide that is valuable for not only practicing clinicians, but a must for graduate and medical students’ resource collection." - Joy C. Jansen, Journal of Attention Disorders

About the Author

J. Russell Ramsay, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist and an Assistant Professor of Psychology in Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. He serves as the Associate Director of Penn’s Adult ADHD Treatment and Research Program, with a particular expertise in psychosocial treatments for adults with ADHD. He is on the editorial board of the Journal of Attention Disorders, has recently been nominated to be a member of the professional advisory board for the Attention Deficit Disorder Association, and is a staff writer for Focus Magazine (ADDA’s publication).

Anthony L. Rostain, M.D., is Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and is Director of Education for the Department of Psychiatry, which includes oversight of the medical student and residency programs. He is the Director of Penn’s Adult ADHD Treatment and Research Program, which he co-founded with Dr. Ramsay in 1999. Dr. Rostain is on the editorial board of the Journal of Attention Disorders, is widely published, is repeatedly listed in the Top Doctors list for Philadelphia.

Product Details

• Paperback: 252 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; 1 edition (July 27, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415955017
• ISBN-13: 978-0415955010
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #261,313 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #79 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Disorders & Diseases > Attention Deficit Disorder

More About the Author

J. Russell ("Russ") Ramsay, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist and Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology in Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. He co-founded and still serves as the Co-Director of PENN's Adult ADHD Treatment and Research Program.

Dr. Ramsay has authored numerous professional articles and book chapters, and has lectured internationally on various issues related to adult ADHD. Dr. Ramsay serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Attention Disorders and the Journal of Psychotherapy Integration as well as on Professional Advisory Boards for various ADHD organizations. He also provides psychotherapy supervision to psychiatric residents and other trainees at PENN and was recipient of the 2008 Martin P. Szuba Award for excellence in clinical teaching and research in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Should be part of every ADHD therapist's toolbox, August 25, 2008

By 

Gina Pera "Is It You, Me, or Adult A.D.D.?, a... (San Francisco Bay Area, United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Adult ADHD: An Integrative Psychosocial and Medical Approach (Practical Clinical Guidebooks) (Paperback)

Psychologist Russell Ramsay and psychiatrist Anthony Rostain have written a remarkably helpful book. I recommended it highly for any professional treating ADHD and any mental healthcare consumer who wants to know what constitutes effective therapy for ADHD. Moreover, it's well-written and highly practical.

As a support-group leader for adults with ADHD, parents of children with ADHD, and the partners of adults with ADHD, I've seen how many people go astray when trying to find therapy for Adult ADHD. They often assume that therapy is therapy, and it doesn't matter if the clinician doesn't understand ADHD. But it does matter. It matters a lot. That's why I am so grateful to skilled clinicians like the University of Pennsylvania's Ramsay and Rostain for sharing their model.

Unless a therapist understands the unique nature of ADHD and has solid skills in helping the person understand their own neurobiology and develop effective strategies, therapy can go nowhere fast. It can even make things worse. ADHD symptoms might be misattributed to many other factors, such as a dysfunctional childhood, for example. In such cases, the person ends up spending months (years?) talking about their dysfunctional childhood--all the while feeling even less empowered and more hopeless.

This book helps to empower clinician and patient alike, and it also helps the clinician to know where medication ends and therapy begins for ADHD.

Finally, it's extremely important to know that CBT requires a special focus when applied to ADHD, as described by the authors. Traditional CBT alone is not enough and can sometimes do more harm than good.

Gina Pera

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent resource -- "in-depth" but very readable, November 7, 2010

By 

Adult ADHD is Real (New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Adult ADHD: An Integrative Psychosocial and Medical Approach (Practical Clinical Guidebooks) (Paperback)

I tried CBT and it was a disaster. The therapist ended up telling me that I really didn't want to change and wasn't trying hard enough. THAT was depressing. So, when I was finally diagnosed with ADHD and read some stories about the research showing that CBT helps ADHD, I was very skeptical. Then I read in Gina Pera's blog (and book) that not just ANY CBT but a SPECIAL type of CBT that takes into account ADHD biology is what makes the difference. That made a lot of sense to me. She cited Dr. Russell Ramsay and this book.

I know this is geared for professionals but I found it very understandable. Instead of simply telling a lot of stories about ADDers, as some books do, it really lays out strategies for restructuring ways of thinking about yourself and the world. This is important because when you are diagnosed later in life, you often have some pretty skewed perspectives about your abilities.

I have not been able to find a therapist who is experienced in this kind of CBT, but honestly, I learned enough from the book to equal probably six months of therapy. I still would like to find such a specialist but until that happens, this is the next best thing. Now, at least if I find a therapist I feel I can work with, I have a book that I can give to the therapist so as to inform them about ADHD and therapy.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very helpful in generating ideas for treatment, March 4, 2008

By 

Allison Hartzoge (Midland, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Adult ADHD: An Integrative Psychosocial and Medical Approach (Practical Clinical Guidebooks) (Paperback)

This book was easy to read and extremely helpful in generating ideas for treatment of ADHD clients, even those who may not be able to afford medication. After reading this book, I was better able to develop a treatment plan with my client and since then, he has found ways to manage his disorder. I think that this book is even a good "refresher" on CBT that can be applied to so many different situations. VERY HELPFUL - Thank you for the work!