Customer Reviews

The Gift of Adult ADD: How to Transform Your Challenges and Build on Your Strengths

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I think this book is amazing because it goes far beyond explaining what ADD is. It shows the reader how to focus (and capitalize) on the strengths that the condition brings with it while also minimizing the impact of the drawbacks. It's not necessarily easy to follow all the advice; but implementing the suggestions one at a time so that they become a natural habit, helps to accomplish those exact goals.

Reading this book was a breath of fresh air in a world where so many with ADD are given pills to keep their "disorder" "under control". In reality, the author takes a step back and suggests that just because people with the condition don't fit within societal norms doesn't mean that making them "normal" is necessarily in anyone's best interests. Instead of feeling powerless against the "disorder", this book helps the reader to feel empowered by the way their brain is wired by giving actionable items that turn the chores of daily life into a game or a challenge (which really appeals to the ADD mind) while given examples of people who have been great successes who attribute their success as "because of" not "in spite of" ADD.

This is a great book. It develops a lot of the ideas I first read in "The Edison Gene". The "disorder" comment is exactly the type of judgmental negativity that books of this type helped me recognize for what they were. So what if adults with ADHD only have a few close friends! I've had large numbers of ongoing superficial relationships at various times in my life, and actually ENJOY having just a few close ones. Books like this helped me understand that its "OK" for me to relax and enjoy my true nature, instead of trying to change it. Also, the book actually does cover the "negative" aspects of ADHD, the importance of recognizing them and minimizing their disruptive impact on your life.

This book offers an invaluable perspective on ADD for adults. It also deals with the byproducts of the affliction such as depression, anxiety and other complications that can come with ADD. The book offers very positive and easy to apply methods to benefit from ADD and enjoy life more with it.

I bought this book after seeing Dr. Honos-Webb speak on a different topic (parenting). She spoke with such wisdom and insight, and addressed some of the most important questions and fears regarding parenting today -- and she did it in such a simple way. I am a lifelong lover of learning and I can honestly say that I have never seen a speaker come at a topic so directly yet so intimately. It was a life-changing talk.

It made me want to hear more of Honos-Webb's take on the world - so much more that I went home and ordered all of her books (which is a lot to say for a single mother watching every dime!): Listening to Depression: How Understanding Your Pain Can Heal Your Life, The Gift Of ADHD: How To Transform Your Child's Problems Into Strengths, The Gift of ADHD Activity Book: 101 Ways to Turn Your Child's Problems into Strengths (Companion) as well as this one.

Her books are more than I had hoped for. Honos-Webb approaches depression, ADD and ADHD in a uniquely positive way. There are new insights and food for thought on every page. She is also a wonderful writer. I am a writer and an editor myself and I was continually impressed with not only the beauty of the ideas she expresses but the beauty of her words as well.

Honos-Webb sheds extraordinary light on these topics. Her books should be required reading for everyone who cares about the human mind.

PS And if you ever get a chance to see her speak, seize the opportunity. This woman should have her own TV show! (Could she be the next Oprah????? We can only hope.)

I'm ordering this book now. I've tried to read many of the books from prominent authors on ADD in adults. I like the idea of taking one suggestion at a time and working it into your daily life. Since we try to do so many things at once, we overwhelm ourselves we just end up seeing more negatives. Being "beaten down emotionally" most of my life by my family and being diagnosed @ 44 I am desperate to make the 2nd half of my live positive. A very intelligent doctor told me "untreatable depression is the hallmark of ADD". A simple philosophy is to "take what you need and leave the rest". I don't expect all books on ADD to give me everything I need, but I read new (to me) ADD books and often refer back to my ADD library. Often what I didn't understand, or have motivation to work on with the first reading is recognized and understood with re-reading. As well, I want to get a variety of opinions on this topic. PS: poor expression or writing skills, dyslexia, not seeing typing errors all go along with ADD. Additionally, if someone w/ ADD doesn't realize they are NOT in a healthy relationship, ending that relationship is often the answer. I've finally learned who my true friends are, and who the superficial ones are. This has relieved many disappointments with what I thought were good friendships and allow me to move on without guilt. Sam

I couldn't get through the first chapter without questioning this author's motives. The "tone" just doesn't sound like it's from a professional who really understands ADHD. The "gift" angle is an easy seller to ADDers, especially the ones who don't know what they can do about their problems and are defensive from criticism all their lives. I suppose a case can be made that some ADDers are gifted but so are many people without ADD! Beyond that, this woman's just making all this stuff up! It's feel-good fantasy that doesn't move the ADDer forward; only makes them feel good about their problems. Yeech. She even discourages medication as it might medicate away your "gifts." Wow, perfect for all the anti-medication people. No legitimate authority would write such a thing, in my opinion. It's just not credible.

Ecological conscience????? She's got to be kidding. Plenty of ADDers are shopaholics and have terminal clutter problems. They consume consume consume and are often on the go, driving here and flying there. Wasting resources. What is ECOLOGICAL ABOUT THAT? And her advice to 'Stay in your ADD Zone" and don't feel guilt about it? Do the things that make you feel "in the zone" includes getting divorced so you can dump your kids on your ex-spouse. Here's one snippet:

"Living in your ADD zone means finding ways to cultivate your ideas. It means not feeling guilt for what you cannot do. One woman sheeplishly reported that she enjoyed parenting more after she got divorced and had shared custody arrangments. Thgis big of mixing it up met some of her basic need and increased her enjoyment of parenting.'

Shame on this author. This "strategy" might work fine if you are a millionnaire (or are counting on soaking your ex-spouse with the financial support). But in the real world, ADDers have to step up to the plate and do what every other responsible adult does: Show up in your life and take care of yourself and your children.

This book is a giant farce and the author is lost in some lala land. She tells you to feel good about yourself, despite glaring problems. That's like telling kids to eat all the candy they want and feel good about sugar. She wants you to think that the difference between feeling guilty and feeling good about yourself is in how you view your "gifts," not in treating them. This is dishonest but definitely her niche market. A legitimate expert will help you find your way out, not be happy in your restricted box.

The Gift of Adult ADD was very comforting. It helps you feel that ADD is not a bad thing. It helps you focus on your strengths and to take advantage of your skills. It benefits you by helping you mold yourself to your own strengths. It was very enlightening, so I need to learn how to use it to my advantage.

Objections to this book are on the professional basis. That is understandable, with due respect.
The study of ADD is in its infancy.

Nevertheless, at the present time, what are victims to do?
Find something you love, and do it...in spite of opposition.
The creative world rewards people with a fresh approach.
Inventions, the written word, music, arts, those are the places for those with the "gift".

One of the most recent geniuses in the world of painting, who was originally diagnosed with ADD, is now enjoying world success as a painter.

See his work:

Michael Rosenblatt...

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I've gotten to the point where I'm pretty well aware of the "negatives" of ADHD and I still like to read back up to remind myself it isn't just me every once in awhile. But it's nice to now have a great reference to show how those negatives can be spun into positives. Love it. While I'll never be grateful to have ADHD, this book reminds me that there's balance - and good - in everything.

This book included every seemingly ridiculous thing a person with ADD does and thinks. The Gift explains that these are truly positive, creative, intelligent ways of looking at the world and gathering information. I loved the strategies to focus, remind, and motivate myself, but most important, I learned to stop nagging at me and build upon the gifts of creativity, sensitivity and thinking outside the box. It's short and sweet and NOT boring.