Driven To Distraction : Recognizing and Coping with Attention Deficit Disorder from Childhood Through Adulthood
by: Edward M. Hallowell, John J. Ratey
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Amazon.com Review:
This clear and valuable book dispels a variety of myths about attentiondeficit disorder (ADD). Since both authors have ADD themselves, and bothare successful medical professionals, perhaps there's no surprise that thetwo myths they attack most persistently are: (a) that ADD is an issue onlyfor children; and (b) that ADD corresponds simply to limited intelligenceor limited self-discipline. "The word disorder puts the syndrome entirelyin the domain of pathology, where it should not entirely be. Although ADDcan generate a host of problems, there are also advantages to having it,advantages that this book will stress, such as high energy, intuitiveness,creativity, and enthusiasm, and they are completely overlooked by the'disorder' model." The authors go on to cite Mozart and Einstein as examples of probable ADDsufferers. (The problem as they see it is not so much attention deficit butattention inconsistency: "Most of us with ADD can in fact hyperfocus attimes.") Although they warn against overdiagnosis, they also do aconvincingjob of answering the criticism that "everybody, and therefore nobody" hasADD. Using numerous case studies and a discussion of the way ADDintersects with other conditions (e.g., depression, substance abuse, andobsessive-compulsive disorder), they paint a concrete picture of thesyndrome's realities. Especially helpful are the lists of tips for dealingwith ADD in a child, a partner, or a family member.--Richard Farr
Product Description:
Through vivid stories of the experiences of their patients (both adults and children), Drs. Hallowell and Ratey show the varied forms ADD takes -- from the hyperactive search for high stimulation to the floating inattention of daydreaming -- and the transforming impact of precise diagnosis and treatment.
This clear and valuable book dispels a variety of myths about attentiondeficit disorder (ADD). Since both authors have ADD themselves, and bothare successful medical professionals, perhaps there's no surprise that thetwo myths they attack most persistently are: (a) that ADD is an issue onlyfor children; and (b) that ADD corresponds simply to limited intelligenceor limited self-discipline. "The word disorder puts the syndrome entirelyin the domain of pathology, where it should not entirely be. Although ADDcan generate a host of problems, there are also advantages to having it,advantages that this book will stress, such as high energy, intuitiveness,creativity, and enthusiasm, and they are completely overlooked by the'disorder' model." The authors go on to cite Mozart and Einstein as examples of probable ADDsufferers. (The problem as they see it is not so much attention deficit butattention inconsistency: "Most of us with ADD can in fact hyperfocus attimes.") Although they warn against overdiagnosis, they also do aconvincingjob of answering the criticism that "everybody, and therefore nobody" hasADD. Using numerous case studies and a discussion of the way ADDintersects with other conditions (e.g., depression, substance abuse, andobsessive-compulsive disorder), they paint a concrete picture of thesyndrome's realities. Especially helpful are the lists of tips for dealingwith ADD in a child, a partner, or a family member.--Richard Farr
Product Description:
Through vivid stories of the experiences of their patients (both adults and children), Drs. Hallowell and Ratey show the varied forms ADD takes -- from the hyperactive search for high stimulation to the floating inattention of daydreaming -- and the transforming impact of precise diagnosis and treatment.
Alternate Versions:
Accessories:
- Health o MeterHDC100-01 "Grow with Me" Teddy Bear Scale for Babies and Toddlers
- Connect: 12 Vital Ties That Open Your Heart, Lengthen Your Life, and Deepen Your Soul
- Driven to Distraction ( New on CD) : Recognizing and Coping with Attention Deficit Disorder from Childhood Through Adulthood
- When You Worry About the Child You Love
Related Items:
- Delivered from Distraction: Getting the Most out of Life with Attention Deficit Disorder
- You Mean I'm Not Lazy, Stupid or Crazy?!: The Classic Self-Help Book for Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder
- Answers to Distraction
- ADD-Friendly Ways to Organize Your Life
- Healing ADD: The Breakthrough Program That Allows You to See and Heal the 6 Types of ADD
- see more
Browse for similar items by category:
- Books » Subjects » Health, Mind & Body » Disorders & Diseases » Attention Deficit Disorder
- Books » Subjects » Health, Mind & Body » Mental Health » General
- Books » Subjects » Health, Mind & Body » Mental Health » General AAS
- Books » Subjects » Health, Mind & Body » Personal Health » Children's Health » Learning Disorders
- Books » Subjects » Health, Mind & Body » Psychology & Counseling » General
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: 
- Driven to Distraction
Cd was very informative. Much easier to put in cd and listen than reading for hours. It covers all basic points of ADD. The fast overview should answer most question that a layman would have.
Rating: - I'm too distracted to review this but I wasn't distracted at all reading it
Honestly, the title of my review wasn't originally intended to be funny.I came on Amazon to look up the publishing date for a footnote/bibliography reference for this book. I now have spent too much time reading reviews on diet books and updating my other reviews on movies and phones to do this review justice.
But if you're looking it up, you don't want a long review anyway.It is the best book in the world for someone with ADD, thinks they might have ADD or someone who has to live ... Read More
Rating: 
- One of the classics - but dated
This is an excellent book for the person who has not heard of ADHD until recently, particularly for the adult who has been unknowingly suffering its effects.But I was an adolescent when ADHD first became widely recognized and diagnosed, and I grew up with friends and family members who were diagnosed and treated for their ADHD, at a time when "You mean I'm not crazy, stupid or lazy?" was sort of a joke catchphrase in the high school hallways.This book presumes that, by the time you read it, your ... Read More
Rating: - The ADHD bible
Having had ADHD since birth and as a recovering alcholic, I found this books to answer the many questions that I had regarding the disease. I was always a self-medicator and that turns out to be a classic symptom of ADHD. Five years and no drugs or alcohol!
Rating: - Illumination - first step to healing
I am an MD and knew for years I did not think like other people-in fact it was extremely difficult to think at all.Getting through med school was tough; I studied constantly and would read and re-read the weighty textbooks; still only "average" among my classmates, after a stellar (and very structured) high school and college performance.
Every page of this book had an "aha" moment for me, brought me to tears numerous times when I saw how comparable my suffering was with the Hallowell ... Read More
- Driven to DistractionCd was very informative. Much easier to put in cd and listen than reading for hours. It covers all basic points of ADD. The fast overview should answer most question that a layman would have.
- I'm too distracted to review this but I wasn't distracted at all reading itHonestly, the title of my review wasn't originally intended to be funny.I came on Amazon to look up the publishing date for a footnote/bibliography reference for this book. I now have spent too much time reading reviews on diet books and updating my other reviews on movies and phones to do this review justice.
But if you're looking it up, you don't want a long review anyway.It is the best book in the world for someone with ADD, thinks they might have ADD or someone who has to live ... Read More
- One of the classics - but datedThis is an excellent book for the person who has not heard of ADHD until recently, particularly for the adult who has been unknowingly suffering its effects.But I was an adolescent when ADHD first became widely recognized and diagnosed, and I grew up with friends and family members who were diagnosed and treated for their ADHD, at a time when "You mean I'm not crazy, stupid or lazy?" was sort of a joke catchphrase in the high school hallways.This book presumes that, by the time you read it, your ... Read More
- The ADHD bibleHaving had ADHD since birth and as a recovering alcholic, I found this books to answer the many questions that I had regarding the disease. I was always a self-medicator and that turns out to be a classic symptom of ADHD. Five years and no drugs or alcohol!
- Illumination - first step to healingI am an MD and knew for years I did not think like other people-in fact it was extremely difficult to think at all.Getting through med school was tough; I studied constantly and would read and re-read the weighty textbooks; still only "average" among my classmates, after a stellar (and very structured) high school and college performance.
Every page of this book had an "aha" moment for me, brought me to tears numerous times when I saw how comparable my suffering was with the Hallowell ... Read More
