Customer Reviews

Out of the Fog: Treatment Options and Coping Strategies For Adult Attention Deficit Disorder

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When I suspected I might have ADD, I started reading about it. After I was diagnosed, I read more, and at this point I've either read or skimmed in bookstores most of the more common titles. For me, this is the best single book out there. It is comprehensive, without being ponderous, and the discussion of treatment for ADD, including the pharmacological aspects, is without peer in popular literature. I agree with the reviewer who commented that the layout of the book leaves something to be desired, but don't let that put you off. This book is essential reading for adults who have ADD, or who think they might, or who have friends or family members with ADD.

I bought this book because I had heard a little about ADD and thought I may fit the description. This book confirmed my suspicion, and I was later diagnosed by my doctor. The reason this book stands out from the others is because it is so complete, yet easy to read. It takes you through symptoms of ADD, choosing a doctor, accepting a diagnosis, medications, counseling, and teaches various life management skills. It armed me with plenty of information (which I found helpful when communicating with friends and family about my ADD) and gave me a real sense of hope for the future. Highly recommended!

Although I personally don't have ADD, I know many people who do (or who I suspect do!), which is why I decided to read this book. Having said that, I found "Out of the Fog" to be very helpful in understanding what is surely one of the most misunderstood, disrespected, scoffed-at, psychological disorders in the world today. Is ADD overdiagnosed? It's possible. Is Ritalin overprescribed? Again, it's possible. Does any of this mean that ADD is any less real or painful for people who suffer from it. Uh...that is DEFINITELY NOT possible. Unfortunately, what all the misinformation and misunderstanding surrounding ADD appears to do is, if anything, just make people who truly DO suffer from it just feel WORSE about themselves (i.e., "I must just be lazy, stupid, crazy" etc.). Then, on top of ADD, the next thing you know the person feels depressed and anxious on top of everything else. Great... Given all this, Kevin R. Murphy has done a service to everyone - ADD and non-ADD alike - by demystifying this neurobiological condition and making it clear that: a) ADD is a REAL thing, not some invention or conspiracy by drug manufacturers and middle school principals; b) ADD has REAL consequences - psychic, economic, social - that shouldn't be brushed off; and c) ADD is not just for kids anymore - it doesn't just disappear when you reach age 18 or 21 or whatever!

"Out of the Fog" is written by someone who clearly is qualified and who knows what he's talking about. This is clearly important, since there is so much disinformation and media hype out there about ADD. The book is well organized (no disorganization -- ADD induced or otherwise -- here!), well written, engaging, and useful, in terms of "demystifying" and diagnosing ADD, treating it (medication combined with counseling and lifestyle changes seems to be the best bet), and lastly "outmaneuvering" it (very important there currently is no "cure" for ADD, only treatments). All in all, I strongly recommend this book to anyone trying to understand or deal with ADD (or someone they know who has ADD).

If you are an adult with ADD, or the parent of a teen with ADD, you need this book. This is where you find that you're not the only one wandering 'in a fog', and ways to get the fog out of your life and enjoy the sun! Few books address the adult ADDer--this does, in a supportive fashion, and gives concrete suggestions on what works, what doesn't, and possible places to get more help. Hand it to the significant other in your life, to explain why they think 'chaos' is your middle name, and how to help you change that!

I am in my early (okay...mid)40's and was diagnosed about 3 years ago. This was one of the first books I read when I was initially diagnosed (and not yet accepting that I had "it"). This is a well-written comprehensive overview of adult adhd and really helped me to see that my issues were common to other adhd-ers and gain an understanding of the disorder and its symptoms. I was able to accept my diagnosis after reading Out of the Fog.
This is not really a book full of practical advice--for that I recommend both the new book by Nadeau and Kolberg--adhd-friendly strategies to organize your life--and the book by michelle novatny--I cannot recall title but it deals with interpersonal communications and adhd adults and is very helpful.
While I often refer back to Out of the Fog (when I can find under my piles of papers, clothes and chocolate bars) I do think that Sari Solden's book on Women with ADD--is the best book for women--which is why Out of the fog is numero 2 for us girls on my hit parade.

Great content! Pulled together information from a large variety of sources, a lot I'd forgotten or overlooked, and then added lots of little "bombshells." Constant light bulbs going off. Connections! Answers! Wow! However, wonder if research substantiates statements such as "a lifelong pattern of self-medication with drugs/alcohol to concentrate better and to feel more comfortable w/peers..." Or are these authors'opinions based on treating ADDers?

Two complaints from an ADD person:1. Hey, I can't sort & track people at my office. Why would authors think that having 1/2 dozen personal story threads woven through the text be a good delivery mode? Better to put that information into a side bar so ADDers can easily go back and see who the heck is "Rich." 2. Wispy typeface & a layout with little white space proved difficult to read. And light subheadings buried midpage in the text mitigated their usefulness...ugh! Number of pages an issue? Hey, remember your audience!

Nevertheless, have raved about the book to others and passed it on to a sister.

What?! No review yet for this readable, practical, detailed book?

This book goes "Bang, bang, bang." No nonsense, nor lengthy stories, nor self-pity. Just good writing, covering the topic fairly widely and deeply; but foremost PRACTICAL: try this, remember that, structure the following, implement such a system...

Useful, reliable, well-built, pleasant to look at, and economical. This hummer is a Toyota Corolla. Take it for a test drive.

After completing this review, I realized that if you have ADHD (like me), you may need to take a break in order to make it through to the end.
I am experienced reader of books on the subject of ADHD. The first thing I noticed about the book was the small font and paragraphs which extended very close to the edge of the pages. This is not ADHD-friendly. That said, an effort is made to use summary paragraphs. However, as most all ADHD books feature blocking information, summarizing, and reviewing. I tend to expect this rather than appreciate it. Another feature of the book which threw me off (repeatedly): randomly placed (long and winding) case studies (e.g. "Amy had just been diagnosed ...).
Per the DSM IV, "ADHD" is the proper term and covers three sub-types. The term ADD is no longer used (it's a sub-type under "ADHD"). The author explains this and then, states: "In the interest of simplicity, we will use the term ADD to refer to all three forms." I stopped and scratched my head ... does he believe his reader base to be so inattentive as to render them unable to deal with an extra letter to describe the very condition about which the book is written? That leads to the second question, does simplicity really call for the incorrect labeling of the subject matter of you book? Lastly, even before the DSM IV change, "ADD" as a label leaves out hyperactivity (and combined) - making it simple, but wrong. Why not refer to it properly and in doing so, encompass the entirety of those with the DSM IV's definition of ADHD?
Okay, this guy is old school and wants to save "H" for "simplicity" of reading. I moved on. Shortly thereafter, I got the sensation that I needeed to break out the pom-poms. I don't read about my ADHD to learn all the "wonderful" things I can accomplish despite my condition. At this point, I was becoming impatient. I flipped to the front of the book and noted it is still on the first version which is dated 1995. I knew the medication chapter should make for some useless reading. I had to flip to the chapter covering medication to find out just how useless. As expected, the chapter is pitifully outdated. Without getting specific, I will just let you know that the chapter spends most of its time on Ritalin as the AD(H)D medication and Prozac as a good anti-depressant. Don't waste your time. "Scattered Minds" by Adler (2006) offers medication information to such a greater extent, that fact alone would justify choosing "Scattered Minds" over "Out of the Fog" if you had only once choice.
So, why the 3 stars - kinda high based on my gripes, huh? I set aside my "ADD" label annoyance, worked through the small font and crammed pages, long and winding case studies, and woefully outdated medicaion infomation. What I found is this book offers very useful coping strategies for Adult ADHD. The book also does an excellent job of identifying problems ADHD creates (which leads to the coping advice). The author knows the subject very well. In this regard, the book is better than average.
I have to mention the book's information regarding how to cope with everyday life. You need to take advantage of technology's cutting edge equipment: "computers, fax machines, calculators, and voicemail." Wow. The calculator? It sure is an improvement over that time-intensive abacus.
Those with ADHD will find the layout of this book poor to the point to classify it as a non-starter. If you desire to understand a loved-one's condition, you would certainly benefit from the information (except medication and technology) provided. If you are looking to get your ADHD life under control, I suggest "10 Simple Solution to Adult ADD" (Sarkis, 2005) because it is laid out with the intended audience in mind. It is a quick hitting, information intensive read. (Yes, Sarkis also calls it ADD - oh well.)

This book was a real eye opener! I was raised with a cousin and a foster brother who were both extremly ADHD. Perhaps this is why my family did not recognize my ADD traits. I never even thought that I could have this disorder because I do not have the hyperactivity. This book is wonderful. It clearly states the problems an adault with ADD faces and gives honest information about what can or cannot improve. It gives some very simple suggestions for better organizing your life and making things easier.

This book has answered so many of my questions. I am currently reading additional books on the add subject, however I can't imagine a better book than this one as my first read. I recommend this book if you are just starting your journey into the world of add. If you have been recently diagnosed or think you have add, this book will justify and explain many of your life experiences. Without hyperactiveness, ADD is difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are so vast and varied. This book will help you sort through the many symptoms of add.