How Can Therapy Reduce Shame in ADHD?

PostedOctober 30, 2025

UpdatedNovember 5, 2025

ByMy Patient Advice

Author: Harriet Winslow, BSc | Reviewed by: Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

Shame is a powerful emotion that can deeply affect individuals with ADHD, contributing to self-criticism, low self-esteem, and emotional distress. Fortunately, various therapy approaches have proven effective in helping people with ADHD manage and reduce shame, improving their emotional well-being and quality of life. This blog explores the role of therapy in reducing shame in ADHD.

Effective Therapy Approaches for Reducing Shame

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is one of the most widely used therapeutic approaches for reducing shame in individuals with ADHD. A 2024 study by William et al. found that CBT helped adults with ADHD reframe negative thoughts, reduce self-blame, and develop better coping strategies for emotional regulation (Frontiers in Psychiatry, 2024). By addressing the cognitive distortions that fuel chronic shame, CBT can empower individuals to break the cycle of self-criticism that is common in ADHD.

Another effective approach is Schema-focused CBT, which targets deeply ingrained maladaptive beliefs, such as those of defectiveness or failure. A 2024 study by Sireli et al. showed that schema-focused CBT could reduce shame in adolescents by changing the way they viewed themselves, helping them develop healthier emotional control and self-acceptance (Frontiers in Psychiatry, 2024).

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT)

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is another promising approach for addressing shame in ADHD. A 2025 study reported that ACT increased psychological flexibility, enabling participants to accept imperfections without resorting to shame-based avoidance (Frontiers in Psychiatry, 2025). This approach teaches individuals to view their thoughts and feelings without judgment, which can reduce the overwhelming impact of shame and allow for greater emotional resilience.

In addition, Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) has shown great promise in helping ADHD patients reduce shame. CFT aims to replace self-criticism with self-compassion, fostering a nurturing, non-judgmental attitude towards oneself. According to Petrocchi et al. (2024), CFT has been effective in addressing shame and self-stigma in ADHD, helping individuals with ADHD better regulate their emotions and develop healthier self-perceptions (PMC, 2024).

Clinical Recommendations

Clinical guidelines, such as those from NICE, support the use of therapy to address emotional distress, low self-esteem, and shame in ADHD treatment plans. NICE recommends incorporating behavioural interventions, counselling, and psychoeducation to improve emotional well-being and address shame-driven avoidance and self-criticism (NICE NG87, 2025).

Conclusion

Therapy, particularly CBT, ACT, and CFT, plays a crucial role in reducing shame in individuals with ADHD. These approaches help address the emotional underpinnings of ADHD, fostering healthier self-perception and emotional regulation. Clinicians are encouraged to integrate these therapeutic approaches into ADHD treatment plans to enhance self-esteem and reduce the long-lasting impact of shame.

Harriet Winslow, BSc

Author

Harriet Winslow is a clinical psychologist with a Bachelor’s in Clinical Psychology and extensive experience in behaviour therapy and developmental disorders. She has worked with children and adolescents with ADHD, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), learning disabilities, and behavioural challenges, providing individual and group therapy using evidence-based approaches such as CBT and DBT. Dr. Winslow has developed and implemented personalised treatment plans, conducted formal and informal assessments, and delivered crisis intervention for clients in need of urgent mental health care. Her expertise spans assessment, treatment planning, and behavioural intervention for both neurodevelopmental and mental health conditions.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the author's privacy.

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

Reviewer

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez is a UK-trained physician with an MBBS and experience in general surgery, cardiology, internal medicine, gynecology, intensive care, and emergency medicine. She has managed critically ill patients, stabilised acute trauma cases, and provided comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care. In psychiatry, Dr. Fernandez has worked with psychotic, mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders, applying evidence-based approaches such as CBT, ACT, and mindfulness-based therapies. Her skills span patient assessment, treatment planning, and the integration of digital health solutions to support mental well-being.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the reviewer's privacy.