Customer Reviews

Driven to Distraction ( New on CD) : Recognizing and Coping with Attention Deficit Disorder from Childhood Through Adulthood

5 star:		(141)
4 star:		(25)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Whether lay public or professionals in the field, this is the best book you'll find on Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). I treat patients who have ADD; many come bearing a well-marked copy of this book to say they've found themselves in it. To the others, I routinely recommend they read it before we finalize the diagnosis or decide on treatment. The tone throughout is rigorously scientific yet informal, relatively free of jargon, approachable by anyone with a high school education, and very supportive to the sufferer without being patronizing. It contains no propaganda, a rare virtue in books about ADD. Although written by physicians (who themselves are sufferers), it does not shill for medication management at the expense of alternative treatments that have been scientifically validated as effective. This is the ideal book for sufferers and their families, for teachers and those who evaluate the learning problems of children and adults, and for all health care providers. For those who find it hard to read, another book by these authors, Answers to Distraction, is written in an easier, sound bite format. Both books are available on audiotape, often the best way for the ADDers to "read".

-Phil Torrance MD (Diplomate in Psychiatry)

How does a person go from being their own worst enemy to their own best friend? This book can tell you how -- and best of all, why.

Like many others, I had never thought of myself as hyperactive -- hyper-book worm maybe! I was creative and obsessive. I was determined beyond description -- if it was something interesting to me. And I was successful... enough. A natural born explainer and teacher -- I had the patience of a saint!

I never admitted to anyone that I constantly berated myself in my mind: Even a small thing like a load of laundry would become a reason to rant. "You stupid! You forgot to turn on the wash!" Later, I'd realize: I had turned the knob three hours before -- but I had forgotten to close the lid.... when I remembered to move the clothes from the washer to the dryer -- at midnight -- I'd get out of bed to do it. "No way dufus-head will remember tomorrow!" Multiply this small life detail by 1000 lost, forgotten, ignored, denied life details -- all day, every day. The tirade never ceased.

I never tolerated others being negative to someone who made a mistake. I forgave everything. I understood the need for tolerance and forgiveness -- but I never gave it to myself.

I was never capable of doing any one thing from beginning to end. With a 100 projects going on at once very few get done. And, I was never able to enjoy the applause when I did do something really well. "Next week you'll screw up." the evil, mean voice in my head said. How did I keep from driving myself nuts?

As a result of reading this book, I started a path that changed my life. I now realize and forgive -- Nay! Applaud! my "differentness." The hyper-creativity is still there -- now I know how use it. I let my mind wander when I need to -- then I guide it gently back to where I need it to be. And I cheer and applaud and praise myself all along the way. My explanation sounds too simple for the revolution -- and evolution in my life.

Dr. Hallowell writes evocative stories -- call it revelations through case histories. It is required reading for anyone with ADD -- or anyone with a child, spouse, student or employee they define as an underachiever. This book explains "why?"

I am one of those beset by troubles with myself that I couldn't understand. Soon I learned of ADD and of Driven to Distraction. THE BOOK HIT THE NAIL RIGHT ON THE HEAD!

Driven to Distraction is an excellent introduction to those who have no knowledge of ADD, but have found out about it want to know more about it and everything about it. Want to know ADD? Start with this book. No other researcher has collected more pertinent data and given to ordinary people in their language than Drs. Hallowell and Ratey. Truly, this book is the Bible of ADD life. Coupled with Answers to Distraction, one could consider himself well-equipped to face the world where ADD is a terrible stigma.

I'm from the Philippines and here ADD is still known as a kid's disease and named MBD (Minimal Brain Dysfunction). NO ONE knows about ADD here, and if only this book were read by more psychologists in this country, the problems would certainly be more alleviated. My hat off to Drs. Hallowell and Ratey for such a helpful, life-changing book. God bless!

As an educator, I've been dealing with kids with attention problems for many years, as has my wife who is a learning differences teacher (as a tutor and in private schools). When our daughter was in 2nd grade, she was diagnosed with ADD (over 15 years ago), so we began learning about this disorder firsthand. After attending a teacher's seminar on ADHD, I began suspecting that I might have it as well, but it wasn't until I read Hallowell's "Driven to Distraction" that I decided to seek help. Now, many years later, I can say that I'm glad I did.

As an elementary school librarian, this is the first book I recommend to teachers and parents, as well as to adults who suspect they may have an attention problem. It is easy to read, full of good information and the self-quizzes throughout the book are invaluable.

While many ADD books are filled with froth and fluff, and others are littered with mantras about accepting ADD in our life but, "Driven to Distraction" actually is useful. Buy it now before you forget. From descriptions about what is and is not ADD, to incredibly informative thoughts on ways of managing ADD's pitfalls and positives, this book is the one to buy. Anyone with ADD welcomes every aspect of it, and most of us would trade it for a dollar. However, Hallowell and Ratey manage to dispel the malarkey about ADD being a handicap, and provide case studies which will remind you of many of your own experiences. Great for a dear friend or mate to read to understand ADD, and how to be a better friend or spouse. Let me recommend also, "Managing Attention & Learning Disorders : Super Survival Strategies" by Elaine McEwan and "Uncommon Gifts : Transforming Learning Disabilities into Blessing" by James Stewart Evans. I fully recommend "Driven to Distraction : Recognizing and Coping With Attention Deficit Disorder from Childhood Through Adulthood." Anthony Trendl

As an adult with ADD (which I found out by reading Driven to Distraction), I can honestly say that this book changed my life. It altered my entire self-perception.

Now, instead of seeing myself as a lazy, disorganized, half-crazy person, I understand that I have a common condition with negative - and positive - traits. I also understand clearly why I failed so miserably in school and no longer blame myself for it. Even just the knowledge that there are other people with the same syndrome, the same behaviors... is comforting!

The altered self-concept has made me a much more positive person, and knowing what I'm dealing with has helped me to nurture the positive aspects of my ADD, particularly the ability to hyperfocus on tasks that are important to me.

With undiagnosised ADD onboard, being raised in a large household the second of eleven children, with a perfectionist father who would not accept second best as a condition of showing his love for his children, and an obedient submissive mother was a challenge beyond discription. I was continually being punished for my actions and behavior, and not understanding ADD (or that there was even such a disorder) I felt as if I was a scumbag of the lowest order for the first 40 or so years of my life. My father had two degrees, or better stated two professions, one as a dentist and the other as an anesthesiologist. Hyperactivity was seen as a huge sin in my family, and I don't remember anyone as hyper as I was. When I asked my mother a few years ago how was my behavior as a child (of which I can remember very little) her comment was, "We didn't have a moments peace from the day you were born until you left home to become a missionionary at the age of 19!" Wow! What a eye opening statement! Reading Dr. Hallowell's book is such an experience! I read a case history in his book to my seven children substituting my name and profession (a dentist) for the person envolved, and when finished my ten year old daughter quietly took me aside and with grave concern asked, "Daddy how did they get your life's history in that book if you just bought it?" I have never read a book that hit home with more force in my life than did Dr. Hallowell's DRIVEN TO DISTRACTION! What a masterpiece of diagnosis and heartfelt concern. In the Bible there is a verse which states that we are commanded to love our neighbors as ourselves. Until reading (and comprehending) Dr. Hallowell's book I could not grasp that scripture, as I could not "see" why I would even desire to love another as I did myself, simply because as stated above, I felt that I could not love myself (in my heart) as I always considered myself to be a scumbag of the lowest order. Forgiveness of one's self is, in my opinion, one of the most challenging and difficult endeavors in life, and Dr. Hollowell's book has done more for me in this area than all the preaching in church and advice given combined. Thank-you Edward from the bottom of my heart for having the courage to expose your life and ADD behavior so that others like myself might begin to live! A must read! Sincerely,

Dr. Michael Hamilton

I was a skeptic regarding this whole ADHD thing. Too many people are being diagnosed with it. Too many parents placing the blame on their kids instead of the fact that they both work. They use the TV as a babysitter. They allow the kids to watch unsupervised TV and movies. Seemed like every kid was being diagnosed with it.

But then everything changed for me. It changed when my 1st grade son - who can be a real pistol - was requested by the elementary school administration to be placed in an alternative school for uncontrollable kids. (Of course, this was their conclusion after months of talks.) To counter their on-site psychologist, we sought our own, and after many counselling sessions there, the doctor presented us with his diagnosis: ADHD. But my wife and I still didn't believe in it. We wouldn't accept the diagnosis. So we read some on it, and on Ritalin, and decided based on that informaton, to take the doctor up on his desire to prescribe Ritalin for him.

And it was a miracle. Seriously. He had only a week left in public school, but the teacher was astounded. In the end, we changed him to a private school anyway since he earned a bad-boy reputation that he did not deserve, nor could he seem to shake.

In my desire to learn more about it, I bought this book. What I uncovered, was not only a greater understanding of my son, but also the realization that I probably also was afflicted. This book is geared towards an adult ADHD diagnosis. It is well written, and enjoyable to read because it is filled with small vignettes, little stories of people and their difficulties, and how they sought and received treatment.

The book clearly underscores that the ADHD person cannot diagnose themselves, but that through an increased knowledge gained by reading it, it can help you decide if you should seek professional diagnosis from a psychiatrist.

I did, and my life has turned around. I have no idea how this drug works, but I am on a very low dose, and yet it feels like the barriers are down. I can stop NOT DOING what I want to do. I can now easily set aside a distracting, stray thought, and come back to it after the other person finishes talking.

Honestly, if you think you may have adult ADHD, this book will act as a stepping stone for you and can help you decide if you need to seek professional help.

This is a great book. I think this is one of the only books that I have ever been able to read and pay attention to. Usually I zone out but because this topic hit so close to home I was able to pay attention. While reading the book I found myself laughing because it was so much like me. I finally realized why I do the things I do and why I have trouble in college. I know I am smart. This also explains why I am so hyper active. I kept telling myself that I don't have ADHD but the more I read, the more I realized that I did. (I was also clinically diagnosed at age 23). This book and a few other books helped to realize that having ADHD is not a disability but rather a character trait with its pluses and minuses. I think it kind of cool at times. I just find myself getting frustrated with the typical ADD downfalls. I think this is one of the best books out there for adult ADD. So good, that others refer to this book when they write theirs. I have read so many books on ADD that it seems like I read the same or similar things and it's like a circle.

My husband and my son both have ADD. When I began reading this book, even within the first chapter, my anger and frustration towards them subsided. I began to understand that some of the simple things that drove me crazy, not answering me when asked a question, not putting things back where they belong,etc, were things that were very difficult for both of them to accomplish. Learning of the positive sides of this disorder confirmed my belief that neither my husband nor my son were stupid, but just the opposite. I cannot tell you how many times I began crying with overwhelming relief of understanding and of hope while reading this book.I feel better prepared with the challenges our family will be facing in the future.