Driven To Distraction : Recognizing and Coping with Attention Deficit Disorder from Childhood Through Adulthood | 
| Authors: Edward M. Hallowell, John J. Ratey
Publisher: Touchstone
Category: Book
List Price: $16.00
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Avg. Customer Rating:  128 reviews
Sales Rank: 551
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 336
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.7
Dimensions (in): 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.9
ISBN: 0684801280
Dewey Decimal Number: 616.8589
EAN: 9780684801285
ASIN: 0684801280
Publication Date: March 2, 1995
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Condition: SERVICEABLE copy. PASSAGES HIGHLIGHTED. EDGEWEAR.
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
This clear and valuable book dispels a variety of myths about attention deficit disorder (ADD). Since both authors have ADD themselves, and both are successful medical professionals, perhaps there's no surprise that the two myths they attack most persistently are: (a) that ADD is an issue only for children; and (b) that ADD corresponds simply to limited intelligence or limited self-discipline. "The word disorder puts the syndrome entirely in the domain of pathology, where it should not entirely be. Although ADD can 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 ADD sufferers. (The problem as they see it is not so much attention deficit but attention inconsistency: "Most of us with ADD can in fact hyperfocus at times.") Although they warn against overdiagnosis, they also do a convincing job of answering the criticism that "everybody, and therefore nobody" has ADD. Using numerous case studies and a discussion of the way ADD intersects with other conditions (e.g., depression, substance abuse, and obsessive-compulsive disorder), they paint a concrete picture of the syndrome's realities. Especially helpful are the lists of tips for dealing with 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.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 123 more reviews...
 Mr Barrett May 9, 2008
I have two nephews with ADD/ADHD and possibly more undiagnosed relatives which made me curious that maybe I had ADD/ADHD. I read this book and I really related to a lot of the stories and it gave me hope that there could be help for me. I wasn't really a problem student, just got in trouble often and had problems reading but I excelled at math and science (although teachers said I was an underachiever). Fast forward, I have a masters in electrical engineering but had problems in classes I had to read a lot (English, Psychology, etc.). The book also points out that Attention Deficit Disorder isn't really accurate since deficit isn't accurate. The book points out that with ADD you have difficulty paying attention most of the time, BUT you also have the ability to hyperfocus on some subjects which makes everyone different.
One con/pro about the book is it written before DSM-IV (which has small set of criteria) and it lists its own criteria. I found this books older more expansive criteria more helpful than the DSM-IV criteria.
Since I read this book, I've been officially diagnosed with ADD/ADHD and am hopeful about treatment (haven't started yet).
Driven to Distraction April 6, 2008
The ADD/ADHD "Owners Manual." Understand how your "engine" works, what kind of fuel it needs, how to tune-up, rev-up and just plain operate your race-car brain to it's highest potential! This book clears up myths and gives you the low-down on what ADD's all about. Great for parents, spouses and teachers as well. Knowledge about this often confusing and misunderstood subject will give the reader new hope and a brand-new outlook on their lives or their child's life...past, present, and future.
My doctor Prescibed this March 24, 2008
I read it and it helped me make an informed decision on the type of treatment I wanted.
Well written, informative book on ADD March 7, 2008
This book was recommended to me by a doctor. It has lots of real life stories about people with various types of ADD. As I suspect my son and I may have some symptoms of ADD, this book has been extremely helpful. I highly recommend it!
 Read this years ago as a teen and it helped a lot February 21, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Someone commented that it doesn't help coping, it does because recognizing is the first step to coping. Also, different people's ADD manifests differently as people have different interests which they hyperfocus on or jump between and ignore everything else. It takes years of discipline and effort to cope or get it to work to your advantage instead of disadvantage. There is no simple answer, and this book won't give you that, but it will help you understand the nature of the problem which in turn will help you come up with a strategy that works for you. After all, most people with ADD are very intelligent, they can usually find what works for them.
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