Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: dissociation and adaptation (a theoretical presentation and case study).

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder has become an increasingly common diagnosis among both schoolchildren and adults. Much of the literature on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder indicates that it is untreatable without the use of psychostimulant medication. With the goal of moving away from the incurable disease model of ADHD, this paper explores the possibility of adaptive aspects to ADHD, specifically regarding creativity. Using the new model allows the focus of therapy to shift to treatment of the whole person and the alleviation of problem behaviors. A case study is presented to illustrate this hypothesis in conjunction with the successful treatment of a case of ADHD in an adult using cognitive-behavioral therapy and clinical hypnosis.