Case of an Adult with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: The Course of Treatment for Improvement in Processing Speed
Junko Okuyama *
Department of Psychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine: 1-1 Seiryo-machi, Tohoku University, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8574, Japan and Miyagi Psychiatric Center, Aza-yama, Tekurada, Natori-City, 981-12, Japan
Shunichi Funakoshi
Miyagi Psychiatric Center, Aza-yama, Tekurada, Natori-City, 981-12, Japan and Department of Community Psychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine: Aza-yama, Tohoku University, Tekurada, Natori-City, 981-1231, Japan
Rie Suzuki
Miyagi Psychiatric Center, Aza-yama, Tekurada, Natori-City, 981-12, Japan
Ryo Nomura
Miyagi Psychiatric Center, Aza-yama, Tekurada, Natori-City, 981-12, Japan
Takashi Ono
Miyagi Psychiatric Center, Aza-yama, Tekurada, Natori-City, 981-12, Japan
Yoshihisa Kakuto
Miyagi Psychiatric Center, Aza-yama, Tekurada, Natori-City, 981-12, Japan
Hiroo Matsuoka
Department of Psychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine: 1-1 Seiryo-machi, Tohoku University, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8574, Japan
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: Adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the developmental disabilities that have a negative causal relationship with the ability to socialise. The diagnosis and effective treatment of adult ADHD is difficult, and this study aims to introduce useful diagnosis and treatment method, focusing on the processing speed of an adult ADHD patient.
Presentation of Case: A 35-year-old male, who frequently altered his occupation, visited our hospital. Three types of psychological assessment were used on him: Adult ADHD Self Report Scale (ASRS-v1.1), Autism-Spectrum Quotient Japanese version (AQ-J), and the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS)-Third edition.
Results: Significant changes only started manifesting when cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), which focused on processing speed, was used.
Conclusion: Various types of CBT have been employed, but the approach we chose to apply is comparatively easier to carry out.
Keywords: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), cognitive behaviour therapy, depression, working condition, processing speed