WADD-SEPD consensus on psychological treatment of dual disorders II: Neurodevelopmental, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, somatic symptom, eating, and personality disorders and recommendations for future research

This consensus review concludes that integrated psychological treatments are generally effective for dual disorders, though more high-quality research is needed.

Article Abstract

“This article belongs to the Special Issue From Dual Diagnosis to Dual Disorder(s): Bridging Comorbidity and Integrated Clinical Understanding. WADD – World Association on Dual Disorders, SEPD – Spanish Society of Dual Disorders.

Background/Objectives: The treatment of dual disorders (DDs) must be comprehensive and multidisciplinary. Evidence supports the effectiveness of psychotherapy in treating DDs. The second part of this consensus synthesizes the available evidence on psychological treatment for specific DDs.

Methods: Two consensus methods were sequentially implemented: the nominal group technique and the Delphi method. 

Results: This consensus review encompassed a compilation of recommendations for the psychological treatment of neurodevelopmental, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, somatic symptom, eating, and personality disorders. Finally, recommendations for the future research agenda on the psychological treatment of DD were included.

Conclusions: (1) Psychological treatment, particularly integrated treatment, is effective. (2) In the case of dual autism, interventions for substance use disorders should be adapted to this population’s characteristics. (3) More research is needed on dual social anxiety, panic, generalized anxiety, somatic symptom, and eating disorders, for which Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is the most commonly used treatment. (4) For dual attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, multicomponent treatment is recommended (psychoeducation, CBT, and peer or family support). (5) For dual anxiety disorders, CBT is the first-line treatment. (6) For dual post-traumatic stress disorder, CBT (cognitive processing therapy and prolonged exposure therapy), acceptance and commitment therapy, stress inoculation training, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) are effective. (7) For dual personality disorders, evidence is scarce. (8) For borderline personality disorder, dialectical behavior therapy, dynamic deconstructive psychotherapy, and dual-focus schema therapy show promise. (9) For antisocial personality disorder, CBT, contingency management, and counseling on impulsive lifestyles may be useful. (10) Much more evidence is needed from studies that overcome the methodological limitations of existing ones.”

—Description from publisher

Article Access

Open Access

Benito, A., Jiménez-Murcia, S., Tirado-Muñoz, J., & Adan, A. (2026). WADD-SEPD consensus on psychological treatment of dual disorders II: Neurodevelopmental, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, somatic symptom, eating, and personality disorders and recommendations for future research. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 15(3), 1105. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15031105