Driven to Distraction: Recognizing and Coping with Attention Deficit Disorder from Childhood Through Adulthood

"I hate it when people speak in platitudes like "this changed my life forever," but this book really did that for me. I knew about ADHD, but pictured it just as the boy who ran around the classroom or the girl who did nothing but stare out a window and daydream. I didn't realize that there was more to it than the extremes, and as a relatively responsible adult woman, I never saw myself in that light. This book helped me recognize myself and make changes I needed. For the first time I understood contributing factors to my weaknesses that went beyond derogatory labels like lazy or misfit. Dr. Hallowell has a unique way of focusing on the strengths and skills of individuals that is refreshing. It built on what was good and helped me move away from the quagmire that was created by my organizational and interpersonal struggles. This is a must read for any individuals with ADD or for their family members. After that's done go read Delivered From Distraction. It's updated, helpful, and building."
~ Written on 2007-06-29

"Not since William Dufty's SUGAR BLUES have I ever read a book that has answered virtually every unanswered question I have had, and every painful mystery about the contradictory facts of life: regarding everything from the nature of modern society to stupid habits I cannot seem to let go of in my personal life; the actual non-emotional source of my brilliant son's troubles in school to the secret architect of my intimate relationships with women throughout my adulthood.

This book is not written for people who have never heard of Attention Deficit Disorder. This book is written--no, this book is a profound blessing--to people like me: people who have heard of it for quite some time, have children or family members or friends with it, and think because of such they actually know what it is, or what it does. People like me, who despite the facts above never consider, because they do not know what it really is, that they may have it themselves. My view of the stereotype of ADD and its stereotypically affected subculture (children with other neurological or educational differences in suburbia and the inner city) does not even begin to fully explain the most obvious and trivial of symptoms, let alone the actual racial and socioeconomic diversity of adults AND children who may be suffering with it, and for how long--in this generation and the many before us (like those of our parents and grandparents).

=For example, consider this enlightening and disturbing fact that could change one's entire view of the morality of the American criminal justice system: the brain of a person with ADD functions in an entirely different way than those without it, and as such is affected in an entirely different way by the use of illegal drugs. While "regular" people search for the high received by Marijuana, the relaxation of inhibitions by alcohol or the stimulus from Cocaine, those with ADD develop the ability not just to finally relax but also to CONCENTRATE; to FOCUS their minds and organize both their thoughts and their life--and subsequently their emotions--in a way the condition will not allow them to otherwise when they get high. In other words, as 10-15% of the population of major cities across America may have ADD (the busy lifestyle we tend to be attracted to), at the very least 25% of the prison population--people who got there because of their purchase and use of illegal drugs (like crack)--*were intuitively self-medicating for a disorder they did not and still do not know they have*. This is what the white kids with ADD in suburbia getting a slap on the wrist for what the black kids in the ghetto with ADD are going to prison for are BOTH doing, when they continuously experiment with illegal drugs.

Which means, the TREATMENT over INCARCERATION argument in the "war on drugs" has more scientific validity than anyone in the booming prison industry, with all its congressional lobbyists, would ever admit; particularly when our more dysfunctional and often morally repugnant laws are being enforced.

=Consider also that people with ADD also get addicted to simple sugars and carbohydrates for the same or similar reasons...and this could be partly behind the boom of obesity in America.

=Then consider how routinely ADD is diagnosed in pre-pubescent boys (particularly those of color) but not in women and girls. And then take another look at everything from the constant worry of girls falling behind boys in science and mathematics in school (and the sexist mythology often associated with the explanations for it), to the rising rate of obesity and eating disorders amongst women as opposed to men...

The implications of this disorder's effect on our modern world however will still be thunder to the lightning affect of seeing how ADD just might explain the Hyde side of every Dr. Jekyll in your personal life--including yourself--under the surface of drug addictions, antisocial personality quirks, narcissism, verbal abuse, scholastic and professional underachievement and emotionally codependent & adulterous intimate relationships. I have had the experience of talking to several therapists (psychologists) over my adult life; read dozens of self-help books from Eric Berne to Nathaniel Branden to Melodie Beattie to Marianne Williamson to Ilanya Vanzant; scoured through much of the work of Freud and Jung and those influenced by them, including Joseph Campbell...all of them, particularly the psychologists, opened my eyes to significant ideas, perspectives and literature (like the work of the incredible Alice Miller, for example). ALL of it, however, and all of psychologists, missed this fundamental medical/neurological perspective, which gets to the root of all my problems AND my gifts simultaneously unlike anything I have ever seen.

If you have any of the personality traits or life experiences the likes of which have been referred to in codependency theory, chemical addiction, underachievement (or just the strange, inexplicable feeling, as it goes against the evidence of your actual career/life successes, that you're still a failure in disguise), chronic depression, dyslexia associated reading & comprehension difficulties and the like (not to mention the wealth of racist, sexist and moralistic pseudo-scientific literature that speak in subtle but primitive terms of your innate criminality or inferiority; or just plain "sinful nature")...be prepared for the Galileo experience of your life. This book made me and the woman I love repeatedly burst into tears, as every chapter revealed a crucial but mysteriously painful aspect of our mutual childhoods, family and personal lives that we tried to forget, but now understand.

The funniest thing: I first heard of the book more than seven years ago, and never got around to picking it up.

Was too distracted!

This book may have saved my life."
~ Written on 2005-05-31

"I was so glad to have found this book, written by a doctor, who himself, has ADD. Not only does he explain it really well, but he goes through all of the possible other diagnoses that can be confused, or mixed up with, ADD. He discusses all medical AND non-medical strategies to treat ADD, and winds up with the precise information to gather together before going to a doctor, to make your visit more productive. The writing style is comfortable, and easy to read, with many true-life examples of various people.

I have a daughter who I am now sure has ADD, and NOW I finally know how to go about helping her! If you, or anyone in your family, has ADD, or even SUSPECT that they do, this is DEFINITELY the book for you. I cannot imagine that there is any better, or more complete, book out there on this problem."
~ Written on 2004-09-01

"- I definitely am! Thank goodness for this book which finally helped put my daughter's behaviour into perspective. Unlike most other books that I have read on ADHD, this was excellently illustrated with real case studies. It really brought the infinite range of ADHD symptoms to life and includes chapters on all the comorbid disorders, plus adult methods of self-medication which often mask ADHD. An easy and educational read. Highly recommended!"
~ Written on 2003-06-11

"It helps that the Dr.s have it but this book was the first step to me gaining my sanity. The character Jim was almost exactly me. I am now seeking treatment. Thank you!"
~ Written on 1999-08-26