Customer Reviews

ADHD and the Nature of Self-Control

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1 star:		(4)

 

 

The previous reviewer (Bethesda, MD; 12/22/98) takes one quote out of context and grossly distorts its meaning. Dr. Barkley actually discusses the fact that *many individuals in our society* believe persons with ADHD "deserve what they get." Dr. Barkley does not possess such a callous attitude. As other reviewers have noted, this book is a remarkable synthesis of research in psychology, evolutionary biology, and the neurosciences. The theory Barkley proposes will undoubtedly be refined as researchers put it to the test. However, I suspect that in 20 years we'll look back and wonder how we could have thought ADHD was primarily an "attention disorder" as opposed to an impairment in response inhibition and self-regulation.

My main reason for writing is to point out that the earlier reviewer who criticized Barkley for the passage about the 3 Little Pigs completely misunderstood the point Barkley was trying to make. Barkley was not saying that he thought that ADHD people deserved what they got; he was saying that some people who misunderstood what ADHD was all about might believe that ADHD people deserved what they got. The reviewer did not read Barkley carefully.

Dr. Barkley has synthesized the work of the leading researchers in the field of ADHD and drawn on his vast professional and clinical experience to set forth a new model of the disorder which will benefit laypeople, parents, educators, scientists and medical practitioners. The book is well-organized, well-written and contains such a wealth of information that it is a veritable bible of ADHD. No parent, educator or clinician or adult ADHD sufferer should be without this book. It sheds new light on the disorder and explains many unanswered questions. We are greatly indebted to Dr. Barkley for his ongoing and dedicated work in the field. I highly recommend this book.

I am a clinical psychology doctoral student with ADHD who has sat and listened to Dr. Barkley's lectures, in person, on this subject at an ADHD seminar. From someone who knows this condition from the inside, this literature through my studies, and much theoretical literature outside of this field, here are my impressions:
1. Dr. Barkley's recommendations for treatment of ADHD are useful to both those of us who possess this difference and for parents as well. He has done much good work in this area.
2. Dr. Barkley is clearly threatened by newer perspectives on ADHD based in evolutionary psychology that may, in fact, help explain why this difference, which appears to have a strong genetic basis, continues to exist in such large numbers in the population. He is disparaging and rather arrogant in his treatment of others' ideas on the subject in person, making jokes at their expense which I was appalled that other psychologist appeared to find humorous.
3. In person, he also makes jokes at the expense of children with ADHD. He does not appear to have empathy for those with this difference; his empahty appears limited to those who must "deal" with this difference in others, be it parents, teachers, employers, etc. Again, I was appalled at his crass attempts at humor targeted at individuals with ADHD during the seminar I attended. It was akin to making "fat jokes" at a medical seminar on obesity, although Dr. Barkley seemed oblivious to the lack of propriety of such jokes, and furthermore, did not appear to believe that anyone in the educated audience he was addressing could suffer from ADHD.
4. He is so married to his own theoretical views, which have made him a "renowned expert" in the area of ADHD that many of his attacks on other theoretical viewpoints are clearly defensive in nature and aimed to protect his career and status in the field. His disdain for Thomas Hartman was quite apparent at the seminar, for example, although there is now some evidence that Hartmann's idea (it's not quite a theory yet) that individuals with ADHD were adaptive in past cultural environments is quite possible and supported by evidence concerning other conditions that were once protective in different physical environments (i.e., sickle cell anemia and its protection against malaria).

All in all, my recommendation is to listen to his treatment planning, but take his theories with several grains of salt.

As a doctoral student in clinical neuropsychology, I found Dr. Barkley's "Adhd and the Nature of Self Control" to be a tremendous guide to understanding the cognitive approach of explaining ADD. Dr. Barkley is truly an expert in this field.

This book is necessary for anyone seriously studying ADHD or the issue of self-control, both because Barkley is central in the field and because he offer a testable theory of the disorder, rather than merely a description. His thought is rich, provocative and powerful, and he considers a wide swath of both neurological and psychological studies.

This is not the best book for parents, teachers or people with ADHD who simply want help understanding the condition. It is far too dense for that purpose, with many pages riddled with references to studies by author and date. Also, the only practical hints are confined to a short final chapter. Another problem is that this book is a bit discouraging for people with ADHD. Barkley is compassionate, but he is exhaustive in cataloging all the problems that might plague us. I have ADHD, and having finished this book, I feel amazed that I can remember to wipe my own [...].

For anyone needing help with the disorder, I'd suggest Driven to Distraction, which is cheery and full of useful suggestions.

This contribution by Russell A. Barkley is a masterpiece in review and analysis of the confusing, confounding and frustrating topic of ADHD. Dr. Barkley's book is pitched at somewhat higher than the average layperson, maybe toward the BA in psychology or healthcare professional. However, the clear prose style will articulate to those with first hand daily experience in coping with ADHD in family members. The behavioral scenarios layed out by Dr. Barkley hit close to home for caregivers in this area. A must read for those serious about learning about ADHD.

This book offers hope in a way that many attitudes don't offer.
The criticisms of the book surprise me. Everyone talks about strategies. The author is doing that also and doing it in a hopeful way. I hate the term, attention deficit. Most people are too quick to feel that a student can't develop self-control. If a person thinks they can't control themselves, they can't. One of the psychiatrists in the mental health center where I work said that the largest handicap is often a patient's perception of the diagnosis.

There are several children's books that help children develop strategies for self-control and a hopeful attitude. One is a new book titled, Whoa Wiggle-worm. One of the characters is named Lickety-split. Cool and uncool nicknames is one of the things they deal with in the book. Self-control is shown on a level that children can relate to.

Those of you who have read other books by Barkley have already read this one. It is the same thing over and over and over again. Don't waste your money.

In this very unfortunate book, Russell Barkley suggests that the root and core of ADHD is to be found in the work of Darwin and the science of evolution. In other words, those with ADHD are evolutionarily inferior to the rest of us. He further suggest that people with ADHD are morally deficient: "If those with ADHD are like the first or second of the three little pigs in the children's fable of that name and the rest of us are like the third, their fate is clear even to a kindergartner -- they deserve the wolf that comes for them" (page 314). I had hoped for a more balanced, less condescending, and more useful book. Unfortunately, this is not it.