See also: Default Mode Network and ADHD | Navigate ADHD

Triple Network Theory

I think we could now make the conceptual model we were building substantially better.

CEN difficulty

“I can't reliably hold and execute the plan.”

CBT compensates with:

• written plans

• calendars

• checklists

• routines

• task decomposition

• external working memory

• problem-solving algorithms.

SN difficulty

“This isn't salient enough NOW.”

CBT increases external salience with:

• alarms

• visual cues

• deadlines

• accountability

• timers

• immediate consequences/rewards

• environmental prompts.

DMN interference

“My attention wandered somewhere else.”

CBT/third-wave work develops:

• noticing attention drift

• mindfulness

• redirecting attention without self-criticism

• removing competing stimuli

• structured work intervals.

Switching difficulty

“I know what I'm supposed to do, but I can't transition into doing it.”

CBT uses:

• behavioral activation

• tiny first steps

• implementation intentions

• transition cues

• preplanned start times

• breaking tasks into discrete actions.

That last area is particularly interesting because ADHD-specific CBT targeting behavioral activation has now shown an advantage over another ADHD psychotherapy for activation itself. [frontiersin.org]