Books of Interest
DRIVEN TO DISTRACTION - Book Reviews
Jul 1, 2005, 12:28
Recognizing and Coping With Attention Deficit Disorder
From Childhood through Adulthood
By: Edward Hallowell & John Ratey
Publisher: Pantheon Books, March 1, 1994
ISBN: 0679421777
This is a book about Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), but it is different from other books on the subject because it is written by two psychiatrists who are also ADD adults.
Attention deficit Disorder is a neurological problem that affects adults as well as children. People with ADD have trouble concentrating and this makes it difficult for them to pay attention and organize their lives and their schedules. Children with ADD are often forgetful, easily distracted and have difficulty completing tasks. This results in problems in school as well as trouble with parents and teachers.
The authors have an up front and personal view of ADD and its challenges. They use their own experiences, and those of their patients, to describe ADD and some of the problems that can occur along with the condition. Some of the problems they include are hyperactivity, depression, anxiety and learning disorders. The authors discuss each of these in detail and describe the significant improvements that can be made with treatment.
The book is well- organized into palatable chapters. The first section is composed of case studies of ADD adults and children and their various symptoms and reactions to treatment options. One chapter describes the diagnostic criteria in detail and gives a checklist of symptoms that aid in diagnosis and addresses the oft-heard question of "Where does normal end and ADD begin?" A subsequent chapter explains the various treatment options. There are also tips on structuring your life by schedules, charts, filing systems, notepads, lists, reminders, etc. The chapters in the book focus on personal struggles, relationships, family concerns, diagnosis and treatment. There is also a chapter on re-building self-esteem and informing others (friends / families / employers / teachers) about ADD. An important feature of this book is the section of tips to help a parent explain ADD to a child.
One of the most important things for children and adults with ADD to realize is that they are not alone, that millions of people deal with the challenges of ADD on a daily basis. "Driven to Distraction: Coping with Attention Deficit Disorder from Childhood through Adulthood" accomplishes this objective with wisdom, insight, and humor, and the authors are good role models for people with ADD.
I highly recommend this book. Created for the general reader, it is written in a clear, chatty way and gives a very concise explanation of what is going on in the brain of a person with ADD. If you are an ADD adult, the parent of a child with ADD or a teacher, this book is a must for your library.
About the Authors: Edward Hallowell, MD. is a child and adult psychiatrist. He graduated from Harvard College and Tulane School of Medicine. He was also a member of the faculty of the Harvard Medical School from 1983 to 2004. Dr. Hallowell is the founder of The Hallowell Center for Cognitive and Emotional Health in Sudbury, MA. www.drhallowell.com John J. Ratey, M.D., is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, and has a private practice in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He has lectured and published many articles on the topic of treating ADD (attention deficit disorder) in adults. He specifically is interested in the impact of ADD on life issues such as relationships, employment, and personal fulfillment. Dr. Ratey's web site is www.johnratey.net
