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Driven to Distraction (Revised): Recognizing and Coping with Attention Deficit Disorder Paperback – September 13, 2011

by Edward M. Hallowell M.D. (Author), John J. Ratey M.D. (Author)

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Groundbreaking and comprehensive, Driven to Distraction has been a lifeline to the approximately eighteen million Americans who are thought to have ADHD. Now the bestselling book is revised and updated with current medical information for a new generation searching for answers.

Through vivid stories and case histories of patients—both adults and children—Hallowell and Ratey explore the varied forms ADHD takes, from hyperactivity to daydreaming. They dispel common myths, offer helpful coping tools, and give a thorough accounting of all treatment options as well as tips for dealing with a diagnosed child, partner, or family member. But most importantly, they focus on the positives that can come with this “disorder”—including high energy, intuitiveness, creativity, and enthusiasm.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“A very readable, highly informative and helpful book.” –The New York Times Book Review

“Conversational in tone, encyclopedic in content, and, best of all, utterly convincing because of its grounding in clinical experience, Driven to Distraction should make Attention Deficit Disorder comprehensible even to the most distractible reader.”—Peter D. Kramer, M.D., author of Listening to Prozac

“This is an important and much-needed book! Wise, practical, and reassuring.” —Jane M. Healy, Ph.D., author of Endangered Minds and Different Learners

“The first comprehensive book on the subject for the lay reader.” —The Boston Globe

About the Author

Edward M. Hallowell, M.D., is in private practice in adult and child psychiatry and has offices in both the Boston area and New York City. He lives with his wife, Sue, and children, Lucy, Jack, and Tucker.

John J. Ratey, M.D. is a Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and is in private practice. He lives in the Boston area.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

— 1 —

What Is Attention Deficit Disorder?

Once you catch on to what this syndrome is all about, you'll see it everywhere. People you used to think of as disorganized or manic or hyper or creative but unpredictable, people who you know could do more if they could just "get it together," people who have bounced around in school or in their professional lives, people who have made it to the top but who still feel driven or disorganized, these may be people who in fact have attention deficit disorder. You may even recognize some of the symptoms in your own behavior. Many of the symptoms of ADD are so common to us all that for the term ADD to have specific meaning, rather than just be a scientific-sounding label for the complex lives we lead, we need to define the syndrome carefully. The best way to understand what ADD is—and what it is not—is to see how it affects the lives of people who have it.

In the cases that follow, and in the many case illustrations that appear in this book, one can witness the struggles individuals faced to break through inaccurate labels and unfair judgments. As their stories unfold, a definition of ADD emerges.

Case 1: Jim

It was eleven o'clock at night and Jim Finnegan was up pacing in his study. This was where he often found himself at night: alone, pacing, trying to get things together. Now approaching the halfway point of life, Jim was getting desperate. He looked around the room and took in the disorder. The room looked as if the contents of a bag lady's shopping cart had been dumped into it. Books, papers, odd socks, old letters, a few half-smoked packages of Marlboros, and other loose ends lay scattered about, much like the bits and pieces of cognition that were strewn about in his mind.

Jim looked up at the TO DO list that was tacked to the corkboard above his desk. There were seventeen items, the final one circled several times in black ink and marked with exclamation points: "Reorganization proposal due Tues., 3/19!!!" This was Mon., 3/18. Jim hadn't started on the proposal. He'd been thinking about it for weeks, ever since he told his boss that he had a plan that would increase productivity, as well as morale, in the office. His boss had said fine, come up with a written proposal and we'll see how it looks. His boss had also added a remark about how he hoped Jim would have enough "follow-through" to actually get something done this time.

Jim knew what he wanted to say. He'd known for months what he wanted to say. The office needed a new computer system, and the men and women out front needed more authority so they could make decisions on the spot so everybody's time wouldn't be wasted in unnecessary meetings. Efficiency would go up and morale would definitely improve. It was simple. Obvious. All the ideas were detailed on the various scraps of paper that dotted the floor of his room.

But all Jim could do was pace. Where do I start? he thought to himself. If it doesn't come out right, I'll look stupid, probably get fired. So what else is new? Why should this job be any different? Great ideas, no follow-through. That's me, good old Jim. He kicked the trash basket and added to the mess on the floor. OK, breathe in, breathe out, he told himself.

He sat down at his word processor and stared at the screen. Then he went over to his desk and began to straighten things up. The telephone rang and he barked at it, "Can't you see I'm busy?" When the answering machine came on, he heard Pauline's voice: "Jim, I'm going to sleep now. I just wanted to see how your proposal is coming. Good luck with it tomorrow." He didn't have the heart to pick up the phone.

The night went on agonizingly. One minor distraction after another would knock Jim off-line as he tried to clutch onto the task at hand. A cat would meow outside. He'd think of something someone had said three days ago and wonder what they really meant by that. He'd want a new pencil because the one he had felt heavy in his hand. Finally, he got down the words "A Proposal for Office Reorganization at Unger Laboratories." Then nothing. "Just say what you want to say," a friend had told him. OK, say what you want to say. But nothing came. He thought of a new job he wanted to apply for. Maybe I should just bag this and go to bed. Can't do that. No matter how bad it is, I've got to finish this proposal.

By 4 A.M. he was beat. But not beaten. The words began to come. Somehow his extreme fatigue had lifted the censor in his mind and he found himself explaining his ideas simply and efficiently. By six he was in bed, hoping to get a little sleep before his meeting with his boss at nine.

The only trouble was that at nine he was still in bed, having forgotten to set the alarm before he went to sleep. When he arrived in a panic at the office at noon, he knew from the look on his boss's face that no matter how good the proposal was, his days at Unger were over. "Why don't you find a place with a little bit more flexibility?" his boss said, and thanked him for his proposal. "You're an idea man, Jim. Find a place that can accommodate to your style."

"I don't get it," he said to Pauline over drinks several weeks later. "I know I have more to offer than getting myself fired every six months. But it's always the same old story. Great ideas, but can't get it done. Even in high school, can you believe that? The guidance counselor, she was this really nice lady, she told me that I had the highest IQ in the class, and so she just couldn't figure out why I had such a hard time living up to my potential."

"You know what's not fair?" Pauline said, turning the stem of her Manhattan glass between her thumb and forefinger. "They took the ideas in your proposal and used them. Dramatic improvement. Everybody's happier and work is up. Those were your ideas, Jim, and you got fired. It's not fair."

"I don't know what's wrong with me," Jim said. "I don't know what to do."

Jim had attention deficit disorder. When he came to see me at the age of thirty-two, he had been living a life of chronic underachievement, falling short of his goals both at work and in relationships because of an underlying neurological problem that made it difficult for him to pay attention, sustain effort, and complete tasks.

ADD is a neurological syndrome whose classic defining triad of symptoms include impulsivity, distractibility, and hyperactivity or excess energy. About 18 million Americans have it today; while awareness has increased in the years since Driven to Distraction was first published, many still do not know that they have it. The condition occurs in children and adults, men and women, boys and girls, and it cuts across all ethnic groups, socioeconomic strata, levels of education, and degrees of intelligence. It used to be thought that this was a disorder of childhood alone, and that one outgrew it during adolescence. We now know that only about a third of the ADD population outgrows it; two-thirds have it throughout adulthood. ADD is not a learning disability or a language disability or dyslexia, and it is not associated with low intelligence. In fact, many people who have ADD are very smart. It's just that their smartness gets tangled up inside. Undoing the tangle to get a smooth run on the line can take more patience and perseverance than they can consistently bring to bear.

•••

Where does the syndrome begin and normal behavior leave off? What is impulsivity? What is distractibility? How much energy is excess? These are the questions we will explore throughout this book, mainly in the context of individual cases, like Jim's. Considering the symptoms, can't we all recognize parts of ourselves? Yes. However, one bases the diagnosis of ADD not on the mere presence of these symptoms, but on their severity and duration, and the extent to which they interfere with everyday life.

When Jim came for consultation, he was at wit's end. He came into my office, sat down in one of the easy chairs, and began to run his fingers through his curly hair. He leaned forward, alternately looking at me or staring at the floor. "I don't know where to begin. I don't even know what I'm doing here," he said, shaking his head as if to say no, this won't help either.

"Did you have any trouble finding your way here?" I asked. He was twenty minutes late, so I figured he might have gotten lost.

"Yes, yes, I did," he said. "Your directions were fine, it wasn't your fault. I just turned left where I should have turned right and then I was gonzo, school was out. It's a miracle I got here at all. I ended up at some gas station in Somerville."

"Well, it can be pretty confusing," I said, hoping to let him relax a bit. Of the people who consult with me for problems related to ADD, probably about a half are either late for their first appointment or miss it altogether. I have come to expect it. It comes with the territory. My patients, however, usually feel very bad about it and so begin the session thinking that I am going to reprimand them in some way. "You certainly aren't the first person to get lost coming here," I said.

"Really?" he asked. "That's good to hear." He took a deep breath to say something, but paused, as if the words had crowded in his throat, then let his breath out in a long sigh, the words apparently dispersed. He went through the same cycle a second time before I asked him if maybe he could use a few moments just to collect his thoughts while I wrote down some bits of information about him like his name, address, and telephone number. That seemed to help. "OK," Jim said. "Let's start."

"OK," I responded, leaning back in my chair, folding my hands behind my head. There was another long pause, and another sigh from Jim. "I can see that it's hard for you to get started," I said. "Maybe we could focus on what the problem is that brought you here."

"Yes," he said, "OK." With that little bit of prodding from me, Jim began to fill in most of his history. A normal childhood, or so it seemed to him. But when I pressed for more detail, Jim acknowledged that he was quite rambunctious in grade school and enjoyed getting into mischief. He got good grades even though he never really studied. "I thought school was like playtime," he said. But with high school, things got tougher. His innate intelligence couldn't carry him so easily anymore, and he began to fall behind. He started to get lectures from his teachers and parents on his moral shortcomings, how he was letting himself and everyone else down, how in the long run he'd be the worse for it, and so forth. His self-esteem fell, although somehow his inborn temperament was buoyant enough to keep him fairly upbeat. After stumbling through college, he began a long series of jobs in various computer-related fields.

"You like computers?" I asked.

"I could have invented them," he said with great enthusiasm. "I love them. I just have this understanding of them, you know what I mean? I know what makes them tick, and I know how to get the most out of them. If only I could tell people what I know. If only I didn't screw up every time I get a chance—"

"How do you screw up?" I asked.

"How do I screw up?" he asked, then repeated the question again, turning it into a sorrowful statement by his tone of voice. "How do I screw up. I forget. I argue. I postpone. I procrastinate. I get lost. I get mad. I don't follow through. You name it, I do it. I'll get into these discussions with my boss, and I'll see my way is right, and the next thing you know, I'm calling him a stupid jerk for not seeing that I'm right. Tends to get you fired, calling your boss a stupid jerk. Or I'll have this idea, but I won't be able to find it, like it's a jumble lost in the closet or something. It's in there, I know it's in there, but I just can't get it out. I want to get it out, I try to get it out, but I can't. One of my old girlfriends told me before she left me that I should face it, I'm just a loser. Maybe she's right, I don't know."

"You cared about her?" I asked.

"For a while. But then she got fed up, like all the rest have. I mean, I'm pretty intense to be with."

"Where do you think that intensity comes from?" I asked.

"I don't know," he said. "It's always been there, though."

The longer we talked, the clearer it became how right Jim was, how the intensity had always been there, seldom harnessed, but always burning. That intensity may in part explain why ADD is common among people in high-energy fields, from sales to advertising to commodities to any high-pressure, high-stimulus kind of work. "Have you ever consulted a psychiatrist before?" I asked.

"A couple of times," Jim said. "They were nice guys, but nothing really changed. One of them told me not to drink so much."

"How much do you drink?"

"I binge. When I really want to let loose, I go out and tie one on. It's an old family tradition. My dad drank a lot. I guess you could say he was an alcoholic. I don't think I'm an alcoholic, but that's what they all say, huh? Anyway, I get these terrible hangovers the next day, so I don't go back to it for a while."

Often people with ADD self-medicate with alcohol or marijuana or cocaine. Cocaine, particularly, is similar to one of the medications used in the pharmacological treatment of ADD.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Vintage; Original edition (September 13, 2011)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 400 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0307743152
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0307743152
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.11 x 0.81 x 7.9 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #4,165 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #5 in Children's Learning Disorders
- #10 in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity
- #16 in Parenting Books on Children with Disabilities

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Edward M. Hallowell

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Edward (Ned) Hallowell, M.D. is a board-certified child and adult psychiatrist and world authority on ADHD. He is a graduate of Harvard College and Tulane Medical School, and was a Harvard Medical School faculty member for 21 years. He is the Founder of The Hallowell ADHD Centers in Boston MetroWest, New York City, San Francisco, Palo Alto and Seattle.

He has spent the past four decades helping thousands of adults and children live happy and productive lives through his strength-based approach to neurodiversity, and has ADHD and dyslexia himself.

Dr Hallowell is a New York Times bestselling author and has written 20 books on multiple psychological topics. The groundbreaking Distraction series, which began with Driven to Distraction, co-authored with Dr John Ratey in 1994, sparked a revolution in understanding of ADHD.

Having successfully managed both ADHD and dyslexia himself, he has famously said, “I don’t treat disabilities; I help unwrap gift!” When “disabilities” are seen instead by their mirror traits, these attributes can be channeled toward turbo-charged success. His Hallowell Centers offer comprehensive mental health diagnostic and treatment services to patients and their families.

Dr. Hallowell is the host of his new podcast called Dr. Hallowell’s Wonderful World of different where he celebrates the world of different in its many and varied forms. In celebrating the many differences that adorn humanity, he hopes to break down barriers of stigma and misunderstanding and show how all of us benefit from the differences between us.

Dr Hallowell has been featured on 20/20, 60 Minutes, Oprah, PBS, CNN, The Today Show, Dateline, Good Morning America, The New York Times, USA Today, Newsweek, Time Magazine, the Los Angeles Times, the Boston Globe and many more. He is a regular columnist for ADDitude Magazine.

Dr. Hallowell’s practices his trademark strength-based approach and always comes across as genuine, humorous, transparent and passionate whether he is practicing working with clients in the Hallowell Centers or addressing a wide range of topics in his writings and public appearances.

He's married to Sue Hallowell and they have 3 children.

He loves to hear from readers. You can visit his website at www.drhallowell.com

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Customers find the book incredibly informative about Attention Deficit Disorder, providing a comprehensive understanding of the disorder and its treatment through learning strategies. They consider it a must-read for those with ADD, with one customer noting it serves as a lifeline. The book receives positive feedback for its emotional content, helping readers understand their non-ADD loved ones, and its well-organized structure with ADD-Friendly Ways to Organize Your Life. While customers appreciate the case histories, some find the pacing repetitive.

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308 customers mention "Information quality"293 positive15 negative

Customers find the book incredibly informative, providing a thorough explanation of Attention Deficit Disorder and helping readers gain a deeper understanding of the condition.

"...It backs its claims with real stories and biological facts, and most importantly, gives ADD patients hope and a clear path to their management of..." Read more

"...The core of treatment is through learning strategies and getting a better foundational knowledge of the challenges that go along with this disorder...." Read more

"...It is such a comprehensive and reflective review of ADHD and offers all kinds of great information to help make sense of what it has been to live..." Read more

"...It was extremely enlightening and brought a great deal of relief. This is exactly what the author wrote, the diagnosis itself begins the therapy...." Read more

234 customers mention "Readability"223 positive11 negative

Customers find the book highly readable, with many considering it a must-read for those with ADD, and one customer noting it should be required reading for teachers.

"...Driven to Distraction follows a very simple organizational format by explaining the stories of various ADD patients, and how they've been struggling..." Read more

"...For me, this book was personal...." Read more

"...All with very minimal effort, and little to no studying...." Read more

"This is an excellent and comprehensive book about ADD – Attention Deficit Disorder. It could be useful to students, parents and patients alike...." Read more

40 customers mention "Emotional content"40 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's emotional content, particularly how it helps readers understand their non-ADD loved ones, and one customer notes how it provides good insight for adults living with the disorder.

"...Through numerous engaging examples of ADD patients, simple (yet complete) explanations, and steps for testing, diagnosis, and recovery/management,..." Read more

"...The treatment includes people and relationships, whether it be "coaches" or "groups" or just the people in your life, there is a human side to the..." Read more

"...It could be useful to students, parents and patients alike...." Read more

"...The best part of this book is the real life examples that the author describes. If you have ADHD, they will defenitely hit home...." Read more

14 customers mention "Organization"11 positive3 negative

Customers find the book well-organized and comprehensive, particularly praising its ADD-Friendly Ways to Organize Your Life section.

"...Hallowell does a wonderful job in painting the whole picture for each case in the book, from start to finish. He includes the good, bad, and ugly...." Read more

"...people, and also, I think there were quite a few constructive ideas about organizing one's life, some of which I'd already used...." Read more

"...This book is organized well and is ADHD friendly! Please do yourself a favor and read it!" Read more

"There are a lot of stories to illustrate ADD. A lot of redundancy in the book. The book was painfully boring To get through...." Read more

9 customers mention "Case histories"7 positive2 negative

Customers appreciate the case histories in the book, with one customer noting that they are based on real stories and another mentioning that the family chapter is particularly accurate.

"...It backs its claims with real stories and biological facts, and most importantly, gives ADD patients hope and a clear path to their management of..." Read more

"...It is full of case histories that helped me to realize that I actually have ADD myself, and I had that verified by going and having myself tested..." Read more

"...The authors dispel the myths and offer insight, advice and understanding of ADD that will help in your struggle...." Read more

"...will be very telling: they are not real people, these are not real stories...." Read more

8 customers mention "Pacing"0 positive8 negative

Customers find the pacing of the book repetitive and tedious.

"...difficulty waiting, difficulty concentrating, difficulty following instructions, often shifts from one uncompleted activity to another, difficulty..." Read more

"...Yes, the bit I have read is relatable but they're so boring, predictable and even redundant. Do other ADHD types need this many examples?..." Read more

"...emotional and social aspects of living with ADD/ADHD, not instructions for showing up on time and remembering to pick up milk on your way home." Read more

"...My 4 stars are because the text is a bit tedious and repetitive in some parts, to the point it feels like the author is egotripping...." Read more

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Akhil Kumar
Driven to Distraction: Understanding ADD and how to tackle it
Reviewed in the United States on October 2, 2013
Verified Purchase

Full disclosure: I am a young adult living with ADD, having been recently diagnosed. Similar to a rabid self-diagnosing experience while scanning through symptoms lists on WebMD, I spent the majority of my time reading this book by finding many relatable traits between myself, the author, Edward Hallowell, (who also has ADD), and many of the author's patients described throughout the book. However; tied into these moments were also many small epiphanies, ideas for treatment/management, and a profound basis for hope.

Driven to Distraction is a wonderful window into the world of those suffering with ADD, from the perspective of a physician who also has ADD. Through numerous engaging examples of ADD patients, simple (yet complete) explanations, and steps for testing, diagnosis, and recovery/management, this book offers a more positive perspective on ADD and its prognosis (which, Hallowell might argue is essential to begin the ADD treatment process). In my opinion, the book was well organized, easy to read, yet descriptive enough to offer a full insight into the plight of those living with ADD. The most notable aspect of this book was that for someone with ADD (who dreads the thought of having to focus and read a long book in a short period of time); I was able to breeze through this book in one sitting. It was captivating and informative, and the frequent examples quickly hooked got me hooked on the patients' stories of recovery. This speaks volumes of the author's ability to get in tune with his targeted audience (people with ADD), which by his own definition is not an easy feat to accomplish.

Driven to Distraction follows a very simple organizational format by explaining the stories of various ADD patients, and how they've been struggling in their school, work, and professional lives. Their diagnosis process and psychotherapy interviews and then highlighted to show the path that many patients take to recovery. Their treatment is carefully detailed, as is their positive progress in life following the treatment. Chances are that any individual with ADD reading the book will be able to relate to one or more stories, which makes the book's message even more effective.
The book begins by describing the story of an adult male in his early 30s and struggling to maintain employment and personal relationships. The man's testing, diagnosis, and treatment process is described from Hallowell's perspective (the doctor of all patients in the book). This introductory case of adult ADD is then followed by a concrete definition of ADD - "ADD is a neurological syndrome whose classic defining triad of symptoms includes impulsivity, distractibility, and hyperactivity or excess energy."

Hallowell then goes on to discuss specific patients and their stories across all ages and situations. He explains their stories and the impact their condition had on their families, co-workers, teachers, and spouses. And with each story, he describes in careful detail the steps each took on their path to their management of ADD. He also describes how ADD can manifest in different forms within different age groups. For example boys with ADD generally tend to display signs of hyperactivity and impulsiveness, while girls with ADD generally are inattentive daydreamers in the classroom. Adolescents and adults with ADD tend to be restless, impulsive, and have difficulty on following through on their goals and ideas. And when individuals with ADD who are part of a family or an intimate relationship, the condition can lead to a sense of disconnect between loved ones. ADD spouses often come across as inattentive to their partners' needs, and this can then cause a negative cycle of misunderstanding.

The key point to take away from the multitude of stories and examples of ADD is that there is no one single defining set of characteristics that manifests in individuals with ADD. If an individual suspects that he/she might possess some of the ADD characteristics (easy distractibility, inability to stay focused), then it is advisable to seek help from an expert in order to obtain the correct diagnosis. And just as there is no single set of characteristics, there is no set treatment. It will most certainly vary from patient to patient, usually combining some combination of psychotherapy, coaching, education, and medication (antidepressants and stimulants). Hallowell then describes some of the neurobiological reasons behind ADD symptoms, which include poor regulation of neurotransmitters (dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin) within the brain as well as poor brain glucose metabolism.

Relatability

Like mentioned above, this book covers the whole array of people with ADD, and many ADD patients are bound to find a story or two which are very similar to their own experiences. For me this was the story of Will, a curious and relatively intelligent student who was generally good at standardized testing but found it difficult to consistently succeed in the classroom. He often found himself underachieving and struggling with the management of everyday school tasks. While this sounds like many students going through a rigorous high school and college curriculum, Will's situation is highlighted by his internal thought process and struggles. Hallowell also makes it a point to describe Will's situation from outside points of view, including his parents and teachers (all the way from kindergarten to 12th grade). As someone living with ADD, I was able to relate to Will's internal mental struggle when he was dealing with the negative aspects of living with ADD during school. For many people with ADD, it is easy to get trapped in one's own mind, and it is a very dark and haunting place. Will's reason for eventually not continuing his ADD medication was also very relatable. Understanding Will's whole story encouraged me to continue my ADD medication, because it certainly presented a very tragic story. Most importantly, I feel like this story (and others) helped many people with ADD understand that they are not alone in this struggle, and that help is available.

"The secondary symptoms, and the ones that are the most difficult to treat, are the symptoms that develop in the wake of the primary syndrome not being recognized: low self-esteem, depression, boredom and frustration with school."

Unbiased View of the Patient's Struggles

Hallowell does a wonderful job in painting the whole picture for each case in the book, from start to finish. He includes the good, bad, and ugly. Not every story ends happily - many of the patients continued to struggle with their condition after treatment. This is a testament to Hallowell's desire to make ADD patients understand that the management of ADD is a lifelong journey. Rather than attempting to advertise himself or his practice, he was committed to arming all ADD patients by educating them about the reality of the struggle living with ADD. It's very easy for patients to lose focus again, which can cause further secondary symptoms such as depression and anxiety. By informing the public of these potential pitfalls, I believe this accurate picture of the disorder gives individuals the best chance to thrive despite the diagnosis of ADD.

"While we all need external structure in our lives - some degree of predictability, routine, organization - those with ADD need it much more than most people. They need external structure so much because they so lack internal structure. They carry with them a frightening sense that their world might cave in."

Detailed Action Plans

For each type and situation of ADD (adult, child, school, workplace, family, etc), Hallowell gives long lists of tips on the management of ADD. In my opinion, these lists offer a very readable and quickly accessible task list for those while ADD to follow (again, many ADD individuals love making lists and creating a structure which they can easily follow). Some tips include education of the disorder, coaching, getting rid of negativity, establishing of an external structure, anticipate missing deadlines, allow for additional buffer time for task completion, and having a good sense of humor. Again, these lists show Hallowell's ability to connect with his target audience and effect positive changes in their lives.

Driven to distraction is an easy and informative read that will undoubtedly help you to better understand the plight of those living with ADD. It backs its claims with real stories and biological facts, and most importantly, gives ADD patients hope and a clear path to their management of the disorder by relating directly to the readers. This book is an absolute must if you or anyone you know might have ADD. When reading the book, be sure to pay extra attention to situations which might arise in your own life, as it could really have a profound positive impact. Driven to Distraction might just be the missing key to helping millions live a better and more fulfilling life.

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A.D.D. described in a clearly spoken, compassionate way.
Reviewed in the United States on October 4, 2013
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Growing up in a Christian, Regular-Church-Attending Culture, different psychological challenges like Attention Deficit Disorder or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, have tended to all fall into one category: The category of excuses. For many in this culture, the attempt to label and understand these issues looks like an excuse for bad behavior. They might say that hyperactive kids or distracted kids are just in need of stricter discipline. According to some, they haven't been properly trained, and when these kids get into high school, they are told that they just need to try harder. Some people on this side of the fence can even go as far as to say that, "...well, everyone has attention deficit disorder! Your challenges are no different than mine, you just need to buckle down like I have."

Besides the fact that an opinion like that is just arrogant... in the words of Dr. Hallowell, "Telling someone who has A.D.D. to try harder is like telling someone who is nearsighted to squint harder. It misses the biological point."

This book helped drive that point home for me.

Please understand though, I did not read this book simply as a person trying to understand Attention Deficit Disorder in order to help others, students for example, but I read this book as one who has struggled my entire life with A.D.D. Really... I have been diagnosed as an adult by a physician with this condition. For me, this book was personal.

Previously to reading this book, I have explored this topic from the Biblical Perspective point of view on more than one occasion. I have heard the arguments and the considered the treatments from the Biblical Counseling (National Association of Nouthetic Counselors) Training that I have received, but I had never really attempted to listen to the other side. Through this book, I have found that the other side has quite a bit to say, and what they are saying is not, "take this magical pill and you will be all better!"

Sure, medication is discussed in this book, but it is definitely not the centerpiece. The core of treatment is through learning strategies and getting a better foundational knowledge of the challenges that go along with this disorder. There is also a personal aspect that is encouraged. The treatment includes people and relationships, whether it be "coaches" or "groups" or just the people in your life, there is a human side to the treatment. Near the end of the book he goes into detail on several different structural strategies that have proven to be helpful to those with A.D.D., but even in these strategies, that personal aspect is emphasized.

Most of the book teaches through the use of case studies. The names have been changed, but the situations are real. This makes it possible for the author to deal with all of the different ways that A.D.D. manifests itself, whether in children just learning to deal with it or in adults that have spent a lifetime trying to cope. It discusses people with the Hyperactivity element (A.D.H.D.) and people (like me) without the hyperactivity element (A.D.D.).

What I found most intriguing in this book was the discussions dealing with all of the secondary issues that so often go hand-in-hand with A.D.D. Issues like depression, anger, abuse and self-medication that are a secondary consequence of the A.D.D. Many of these secondary issues are a result, not of the A.D.D. itself, but from years of believing that the reason you aren't a better person is because you aren't trying hard enough. Those of us with A.D.D. have believed that if we could just get an ounce of the will power that others have, we wouldn't be losing our keys or forgetting important dates. If we actually loved the people that we were talking to, we wouldn't be distracted by what is out the window. If we were just better people, we wouldn't take 10 years and 5 schools and 4 majors to graduate with one 4-year degree. Hearing this inner commentary on your life... for your whole life... can drastically alter your perception of yourself.

Whether you are dealing with A.D.D. yourself or with someone you know and love, and if you are looking for a book that does an excellent job in outlining the reality, diagnosis, and treatment of A.D.D. from a current educated, psychological viewpoint, then this is the book for you. If you are looking for a book that balances this perspective with an accurate Biblical understanding of this topic, then you will need to look elsewhere. I have yet to find a book that balances these two realities. I could always give you my perspective, as someone who is attempting to bring these two viewpoints together into a more accurate understanding of what is actually going on in one who has A.D.D., but I haven't written a book yet, and to be honest, I will probably never get around to it anyway. It was challenging enough just to write this book review!

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Meredith Pollack
The BEST read for anyone newly diagnosed
Reviewed in the United States on February 2, 2025
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When I got my neuropsych test results back and discovered in my late 40s that I had off the charts ADHD the clinician told me to get this book and not just nod and say ok...but really get it and read it. When I did I was like "where was this book 40 years ago?!" It is such a comprehensive and reflective review of ADHD and offers all kinds of great information to help make sense of what it has been to live with this my whole life and thinking the struggles and coping skills were something everyone dealt with. I have re-read it and passed it to other family members who should have some lightbulb revelations reading it too.

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dr debra
great overview
Reviewed in the United States on January 24, 2025
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This is my first book on ADD having just received the diagnosis. It was extremely enlightening and brought a great deal of relief. This is exactly what the author wrote, the diagnosis itself begins the therapy. I appreciated the extensive science and history as well as his experience as a psychiatrist.

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KiddyCharts
Excellent book - really helps to understand ADHD
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 12, 2023
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After discovering I probably have ADHD after training as a counsellor, this was recommended to me as a great book to read to find out more about the condition. It is indeed excellent, and really help me to understand myself as well as my children.

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Edoardo Falcone
Thank you Dr. Hallowell
Reviewed in Italy on October 5, 2017
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Great book. Dr. Hallowell can eliminate any doubt in your mind about ADHD making you feel comfortable about yourself and your possibilities.

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Francesc Cortina (Barcelona)
Un clásico para el que le interesa el tema
Reviewed in Spain on July 17, 2021
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Tienes ADHD ? Hablas inglés?, este libro lo necesitas leer, te aclarára muchos aspectos de tu vida

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Amitabh
Very Practical Insight on ADHD
Reviewed in India on June 29, 2021
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I m just half way but I already know that it's the most important piece of wor I m reading to understand better my ADHD. When u read the case studies so many times u feel oh its just you! And feels relived to know you are not the only one who has existed that way, with the struggles, the frustrations and the dismay that ADHD can bring at times .. Aslo slowly but surely it's building towards the coping and controlling mechanisms...And also how to harness the gifts that we are born with.. I m excited to finish through it... It might just be the game changer if not the life changer I have been waiting for... A must read for all the ADHD folks...

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MdB
Les troubles de l'attention chez l'adulte
Reviewed in France on May 6, 2015
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Un livre complet, qui donne des explications sur ces troubles de l'attention et des conseils pour avancer. D'une grande aide !

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Driven to Distraction (Revised): Recognizing and Coping with Attention Deficit Disorder Paperback – September 13, 2011

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5.0 out of 5 stars Driven to Distraction: Understanding ADD and how to tackle it

5.0 out of 5 stars A.D.D. described in a clearly spoken, compassionate way.

5.0 out of 5 stars The BEST read for anyone newly diagnosed

4.0 out of 5 stars great overview

Top reviews from other countries

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book - really helps to understand ADHD

5.0 out of 5 stars Thank you Dr. Hallowell

5.0 out of 5 stars Un clásico para el que le interesa el tema

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Practical Insight on ADHD

5.0 out of 5 stars Les troubles de l'attention chez l'adulte

Driven to Distraction: Understanding ADD and how to tackle it

A.D.D. described in a clearly spoken, compassionate way.

The BEST read for anyone newly diagnosed

great overview

Excellent book - really helps to understand ADHD

Thank you Dr. Hallowell

Un clásico para el que le interesa el tema

Very Practical Insight on ADHD

Les troubles de l'attention chez l'adulte