Cd was very informative. Much easier to put in cd and listen than reading for hours. It covers all basic points of ADD. The fast overview should answer most question that a layman would have.

Honestly, the title of my review wasn't originally intended to be funny. I came on Amazon to look up the publishing date for a footnote/bibliography reference for this book. I now have spent too much time reading reviews on diet books and updating my other reviews on movies and phones to do this review justice.

But if you're looking it up, you don't want a long review anyway. It is the best book in the world for someone with ADD, thinks they might have ADD or someone who has to live with a person with ADD.

BUY IT NOW!! Before you get distracted.

This is an excellent book for the person who has not heard of ADHD until recently, particularly for the adult who has been unknowingly suffering its effects. But I was an adolescent when ADHD first became widely recognized and diagnosed, and I grew up with friends and family members who were diagnosed and treated for their ADHD, at a time when "You mean I'm not crazy, stupid or lazy?" was sort of a joke catchphrase in the high school hallways. This book presumes that, by the time you read it, your ADHD or that of your child has already gone unrecognized for a number of years and caused personal and academic problems. As such, it doesn't really speak to the reality of modern day parents who have known about ADHD from the time our children were born and are now struggling to diagnose and treat the disorder BEFORE it disrupts our children's lives. In addition, the information on medication is very out of date, as many advances have occurred in the 15 years since the book was written.

Having had ADHD since birth and as a recovering alcholic, I found this books to answer the many questions that I had regarding the disease. I was always a self-medicator and that turns out to be a classic symptom of ADHD. Five years and no drugs or alcohol!

I am an MD and knew for years I did not think like other people-in fact it was extremely difficult to think at all. Getting through med school was tough; I studied constantly and would read and re-read the weighty textbooks; still only "average" among my classmates, after a stellar (and very structured) high school and college performance.

Every page of this book had an "aha" moment for me, brought me to tears numerous times when I saw how comparable my suffering was with the Hallowell patients. Knowledge of this malady alone has helped tremendously.

A well written book which listed case studies but did not fulfill my expectation with assistance for solutions to this problem of ADHA.

I have two nephews with ADD/ADHD and possibly more undiagnosed relatives which made me curious that maybe I had ADD/ADHD. I read this book and I really related to a lot of the stories and it gave me hope that there could be help for me. I wasn't really a problem student, just got in trouble often and had problems reading but I excelled at math and science (although teachers said I was an underachiever). Fast forward, I have a masters in electrical engineering but had problems in classes I had to read a lot (English, Psychology, etc.). The book also points out that Attention Deficit Disorder isn't really accurate since deficit isn't accurate. The book points out that with ADD you have difficulty paying attention most of the time, BUT you also have the ability to hyperfocus on some subjects which makes everyone different.
One con/pro about the book is it written before DSM-IV (which has small set of criteria) and it lists its own criteria. I found this books older more expansive criteria more helpful than the DSM-IV criteria.
Since I read this book, I've been officially diagnosed with ADD/ADHD and am hopeful about treatment (haven't started yet).

The ADD/ADHD "Owners Manual." Understand how your "engine" works, what kind of fuel it needs, how to tune-up, rev-up and just plain operate your race-car brain to it's highest potential! This book clears up myths and gives you the low-down on what ADD's all about. Great for parents, spouses and teachers as well. Knowledge about this often confusing and misunderstood subject will give the reader new hope and a brand-new outlook on their lives or their child's life...past, present, and future.

I read it and it helped me make an informed decision on the type of treatment I wanted.

This book was recommended to me by a doctor. It has lots of real life stories about people with various types of ADD. As I suspect my son and I may have some symptoms of ADD, this book has been extremely helpful. I highly recommend it!

Someone commented that it doesn't help coping, it does because recognizing is the first step to coping. Also, different people's ADD manifests differently as people have different interests which they hyperfocus on or jump between and ignore everything else. It takes years of discipline and effort to cope or get it to work to your advantage instead of disadvantage. There is no simple answer, and this book won't give you that, but it will help you understand the nature of the problem which in turn will help you come up with a strategy that works for you. After all, most people with ADD are very intelligent, they can usually find what works for them.

The book reviewed is "Driven to Distraction: Recognizing and Coping with ADD from Childhood through Adulthood." I bought this book after reading so many glowing reviews, maybe I should have paid attention to the negative reviews.

My main reason for buying the book is for finding helpful advice for coping with ADD - in my logic, that meant a little self-help and management of this situation. How can I limit the distractions? What can I do to keep on track throughout the day?

Instead, what I found in this book was plenty of information on recognizing ADD. The book starts off with case study after case study after endless case study, showing quite obvious ADD behavior. There is no solution or even attempt to curtail these activities in the case studies, it just shows the various examples. One of the guiding principles of this book is to recognize your own behavior, see where you fit in the pattern and then get tested. What I want to know is: what's next?

To be fair, there is good information on how to talk to friends and family about ADD if you do in fact have it. That's about as much as I can be fair. One must patiently read through some 240+ pages to get to the "how do I make the best of it" part.

Around p.244, we are introduced to "Practical Tips on the Management and Treatment of ADD". There are good points here on using calendars, notes, etc. to keep in line. But with all the cases mentioned in the book, I found it quite an oversight not to mention if these tips worked with any other earlier cases, or just examples of how they fit in with person X or Y.

All in all, there is good information on the early stages: self-detection, getting tested, looking for patterns in children, introducing this to family and friends, but little in the way of actually finding solutions to work through the ADD in personal or business/school life. Because of this extreme oversight, I cannot find it within myself to give this book more then 2/5 stars. I do not recommend this book.

Driven to Distraction helped me make sense of my speed-of-light processing brain and newly diagnosed adult ADD.I appreciate the insight and the wonderful advice about dealing with many of the negative symptoms of my ADD. However, as an adult newly diagnosed with ADD, I want to recommend Bryan Hutchinson's inspiring memoir, about growing up with undiagnosed ADD, as a warm personal account of the pain and triumphs one experiences having ADD at any age. One Boy's Struggle: A Memoir: Surviving Life with Undiagnosed ADD

This is the first and one of the best books I have ever read about ADD and ADHD. I think what makes this book so special is that it is really a Memoir of sorts from Dr. Hallowell, who has ADD! He also provides many firsthand experiences from his patients and that's really what helps us with ADD and ADHD the most. To know we are not alone and read about others and their ways of overcoming and succeeding! This was the number 1 factor which helped me to decide to write my Memoir and reveal all my inner struggles and how I overcame them!

One Boy's Struggle: A Memoir: Surviving Life with Undiagnosed ADD

Bryan

This book is a real page turner and eye opener for all those with ADD..its very insightful and helpful....a must read.

Thanks to the writers of this book I found them talking about me as it they knew me all my life.

Never knew why I was so easily hostile and exceedingly agressive when pushed around by my larger peers. I had no idea what ADHD, (Distractability Syndroms) was about me to the "T".

The writers both have ADHD; who better to write the book????

GARY R TOMS SR HOLLOWELL & RATEY'S BIGGEST FAN

Excellent book. Very informative and encouraging for those who struggle with these issues. A serious look at the differences of the individuals who have this diagnosis--and the various ways that they are affected (so much more than just behavior). A book to help you understand the truth about the subject rather than stereotypes or judgements based on the limited awareness of this condition. This book is very reassuring for parents who have children who have been diagnosed with or are wondering if their child could possibly have this condition. It will also help define the condition and the complexity of it.

I'm 22. All my life I was told to "just focus" and "meet your potential," "just get it together." That I was dynamic and interesting but afraid of success and bent on self-destruction. Thousands of dollars have been spent sending me to schools I never finished and therapists who couldn't figure out why I so badly wanted to fail but was so lively and exciting.
My sister found this book, and called me screaming about how I am the prototype for ADHD. It has changed my family. We've all cried and apologized for years of blame and disappointment and frustration. I now want to finish my undergraduate degree and see the previous records as something that will make my degree that much more spectacular. I am excited to find the right treatment and finally begin to succeed as I know I should.
Thank you Mr. Hallowell. You have saved my life (really the untreated ADHD lead to severe depression) and you have saved my family. You have proven that people with ADHD are intelligent and intuitively empathetic to other people. You are a blessing and inspiration to the ADHD community.

I'm 22. All my life I was told to "just focus" and "meet your potential," "just get it together." That I was dynamic and interesting but afraid of success and bent on self-destruction. Thousands of dollars have been spent sending me to schools I never finished and therapists who couldn't figure out why I so badly wanted to fail but was so lively and exciting.
My sister found this book, and called me screaming about how I am the prototype for ADHD. It has changed my family. We've all cried and apologized for years of blame and disappointment and frustration. I now want to finish my undergraduate degree and see the previous records as something that will make my degree that much more spectacular. I am excited to find the right treatment and finally begin to succeed as I know I should.
Thank you Mr. Hallowell. You have saved my life (really the untreated ADHD lead to severe depression) and you have saved my family. You have proven that people with ADHD are intelligent and intuitively empathetic to other people. You are a blessing and inspiration to the ADHD community.

Alexandra Videlock

Thank You Mr. Hallowell, tears ran down my face today, as i read from the book to my boyfriend who has stuck by me and i screamed in joy, "i told you its not my fault." "we have hope." i apologized to myself for putting myself down for 28 years, and i look foward to my treatment, and my new life. this book saved my life.

This book is a great resource for those who wonder if they may have some issues with ADD and ADHD (actually the same diagnosis) I originally bought this book to figure myself out (and subsequently saw clues to my mother's behavior all these years). WHen my youngest was diagnosed with ADHD, I re-read it to get the perspective of a child's struggle with ADD. Essential reading.

This book can change your life. If you read this book, and you see your life history/story, maybe you should find out a little more about ADD and yourself. Or if you read this book and you see your husband, wife or child, this can be a first step in answering many questions.

I love this book, and have bought several copies over the years for newly diagnosed friends, etc. It is concise, clear and not overly stuffy. It doesn't throw a pity party like some books about disabilities do, and offers a diagnostic criteria, as well as coping skills, medical links, and resources listed in the back. A must read if you or anyone you love has ADD, or ADHD.

The absolute best book out there for an introduction to ADD. The structure of the book is perfectly managable for an ADDer without being condescendingly superficial or taking on a tone of talking to children, like some of these books do. I'd also recommend it to anyone who has friends or family who either doubt the existence of or (just don't know much about) ADD.
Check out Hallowell's "Delivered" for more coping mechanisms, and info on treatment, therapy and medication.

If you wish to become more informed on the topic of ADD and ADHD,then this book is a "must read". The format is easy to read and understand. The reader can identify with one or more of the many examples and scenarios outlined in the book. I found it to be extremely helpful in understanding what ADD is really all about and what it feels like for my daughter to live with ADD.
In addition, I now recognize symptoms of adult ADD as well.

Obviously not good enough to catch an ADD reader's attention! Maybe if it was a picture book. . .

The book has some good ideas but I didn't find it to be easy reading - I had to force myself to keep reading, of course, that's part of the problem they're talking about.

Written in language that the layman can understand, this is a wonderful, uplifting book for anyone who is coping with ADHD. It is insightful, thoughtful, with great examples, and encouraging. An excellent book!

Whether you're interested in psychology, or you just want to know how to tell if someone is ADHD, this book has the information you need.

This was a very enlightening book and a must read for students of psychology or for the instinctivly curious about ones self. I think down deep we are aware that we may have this syndrome in ourselves as well as in family members and it is an epiphany to see the condition put into words. It is an easy read in plainspeak without all the psycho babble that some knowledgeable authors try to impress us with. I have recommended it to all of my children, to put into words what their Dad has lived with his whole life and struggled to cope and compensate for. It is also intended for them to see something in themselves between the pages of this excellent work.

This was a very enlightening book and a must read for students of psychology or for the instinctivly curious about ones self. I think down deep we are aware that we may have this syndrome in ourselves as well as in family members and it is an epiphany to see the condition put into words. It is an easy read in plainspeak without all the psycho babble that some knowledgeable authors try to impress us with. I have recommended it to all of my children, to put into words what their Dad has lived with his whole life and struggled to cope and compensate for. It is also intended for them to see something in themselves between the pages of this excellent work.

Every parent should read this book. Even if there is no possibility of ADHD in your family it will help you recognize children and adults who may have it and allow you to be a bit more understanding of difficult behavior.

I read the book from front to back. It was pretty good, but I needed something dealing more with my child. It just didn't provide the information I was looking for.

This is a very informative book which focuses on case studies of clients the author has seen in his practise. As the spouse of someone with ADD it was helpful to see others with similar traits.

Once you can get past the fact that the book is written like a narrative and not an outline you really get a lot out of it. Written by a ADD person, it is very understanding and compassionate. Helped clear up years of frustration. Also has great tips and resources, although for my older copy these were a little dated. (Still I don't feel like I missed out.)

Best analysis I have seen so far. The book is getting fairly old, but it has been updated. My copy has been well read and loaned out frequently. I think there's a hole in my sock.

Dr. Hallowell has a wonderful conversational style in his writing, and it is reflected in this abridged CD set of his book. I am a parent of an ADHD teen, a Special Education Middle School teacher, and a counselor working with ADD/ADHD individuals and families, both children and adults. Most people wondering if they have ADD have a hard time getting through a book! However, I am able to loan them my CD's, and they come back to me amazed that they recognized themeselves, a child or a spouse in the descriptions! This is a great first contact for someone needing to know the basics of ADD/ADHD in a hurry!

This book is great about making people aware of the issue but it offers little help in over coming the issue. My brother was dealing with these issues and in his words he said, "The books tells you you are drowning then describes the color of the water for you". But it helped get the family aware of the issues, and how we tend to exasperate them. Taking meditation classes helped him a lot. I guess fixing the issue is a whole other book.

I got this book after being diagnosed with ADD at 51. Except for medication - I had already figured out most
of the adaptations recommended in the book. But it was an eye opener for me and my family, parents included, and very healing.

I do think that there needs to be an updated forward about the biological basis (low levels of dopamine) and
even evolutionary basis of ADD. To paraphrase Will Durant - most vices were at some point in human history virtues or at least required for survival. I wonder how many people who were the great explorers and warriors of history had ADD.

This book is an easy to read educational tool for those wanting to learn more about ADD. The Q&A format is very helpful. I have bought my third copy, as I keep giving mine to friends.


Marina Kushner
Author
The Truth About Caffeine: How Companies That Promote It Deceive Us and What We Can Do about It

This book was suggested to me ater recently being diagnosed with ADHD. Anyone who has a brother, sister, child, mother or friend with ADHD should read this book. Because it is so well written it gives the reader real insight into how the ADHD mind intereprets and responds to everyday activities. Books like this one will help to dispell the myth that ADHD= "hyperactive, over drugged kids who refuse to pay attention" and "lazy, irresponsible adults looking for excuses".

It's simple, any parent filling a prescription for any ADD medication for thier child should have to first read this book or any other written by Dr. Hallowell. My son was diagnosed 9 years ago and I knew I connected with him better than anyone else but I didn't know why. Since 1 year ago I was diagnosed I started to understand but until I read this book and a couple of others (I think I have close to 15 ADD books) and realized what A.D.D really is I didn't get it. I'm not sure someone who is not gifted with A.D.D will ever really get it but if they read more books like this one maybe they would at least understand a little more and minimize the damage created by trying to fit the child into their small world.

I was diagnosed with ADD in early childhood, and have coped sometimes badly ever since. This book and others written by the authors make sense. I was able to read it from cover to cover, just not in that order, I was able to skip and bounce around, like all us ADD'ers like to do! It was also funny and informative without being dry. Great Book, Great authors, great help, I am currently in school and hope to be half as good as these men are helping the people out there with our 'gifts'. This book is all about me they just don't know my name, I'm sure you will feel the same way when you read it. It really helped me find my strenghts and use this 'disability' in positive ways.
After eliminating my coffee habit with the help of a wonderful book called The Truth About Caffeine: How Companies That Promote it Deceive Us and What We Can Do About It, I'm feeling so much better. My doctor recommended it to help eliminate my acid reflux called by the acid in coffee. Buy the book.

I never ever finish books and I read this in a few days. It describes me to a T. Not only is the subject matter interesting but the author is funny and the book is entertaining. I loved the cough drop syndrom story. The cough drop syndrom is totally my life.

A must read for anyone that suspects they have ADD. Wow what an eye opener.

My family will forever be changed (for the better) by this book. We found so many things in it that explain our daughters difficulty with school work. The best part is how they recognize that it isn't a "disorder" just a different way the mind works. The book is full of examples of highly successful people who have ADD. A must read if you have any concerns about yourself or your childs ability to focus.

I read veryyyyyy few books. I can't remember the last. I read this one while at a convention in las vegas. I skipped going out at night to stay in my room and read it. Thats how much it took me by storm.

All I can say is that it was like reading my autobiography. I just beg you. If the issue of ADD, your knowledge of it at this point, or your suspicions that you or someone you care about may have it. READ this book. I cried many night for hours in the hotel room by myself begging for help.

It was very eye opening and enlightening to essentially read about myself in the context of Dr. Hallowell's personal and professional experience. Though I have never been diagnosed with ADD, nor pursued a diagnosis this late in life, it did bring my own experience into a place that I could easily understand and accept. It also gave me a basis for helping others in my family deal with ADD at a younger age, hopefully with less of the confusion and anxiety that I endured. The writing was very easy to follow, and indeed, done in a way that any ADD sufferer could readily use!

I read this book a number of years ago, and as I read, began to say to myself: "Yikes! This is Me!"
The copy I read belonged to a friend of mine who had a son who had been diagnosed with ADHD. She showed me a portion of it that was a test of sorts... a number of characteristics that indicate the possibility of ADD/ADHD. As I read, and contemplated each point... let me put it this way: I hit a big 'Oh Yeah' on nearly all of them. As a consequence, I went to a local psychologist recommended to me as an expert on ADD/ADHD and asked if there was a way he could test to see if I really have it. There was. He did. I am.

Imagine, at 37 years old finding out why I am the way I am, discovering the truth about my behavior, where it comes from and why it is the way it is. It was like waking up from a long frustrating dream... nay, not a dream, a nightmare. I thought I was stupid. I thought I might even be insane. I thought I was never going to achieve anything in my life. NOT TRUE!

I now accept and embraced the way I am, and each day, find new ways to live in a world not set up for the likes of me. In fact, understanding that the reason I had so much trouble in this world was BECAUSE it is not set up for my kind helped me forgive myself for having so much trouble fitting into it. It is not ridiculous at all to say that This Book was the door to a new way of seeing myself. I now know I am fine. I am unique. I am LUCKY, BLESSED and one of the special few to be fortunate enough to be born with this kind of mind. I do NOT see it as a deficit at all, but rather a true GIFT. I can do what the other kind of mind can not. I encourage all who have even the remotest inkling that they, or their family members have ADD/ADHD to get their hands on a copy of this work. It could be one of the best purchases you ever make.

I bought my first copy of this book about two years ago. Grabbed my brain and would not turn it loose...because the pages SCREAMED... "THIS IS YOU!". I am now 51 years old, and have had the cross of ADHD ... or blessing... as you may see it all of my life.

I found myself picking up the phone to call close relatives and grabbing friends to lecture them on what was going on...mostly reading straight from the book. My mother wondered if my father and older brother had ADHD. Dad is dead now, but this can help me put some of the dysfunction in our relationship together. Yes, I have been persecuted for having untreated, undiagnosed ADHD. Yes, this book explained an awful lot to me, gave me real solutions, and encouraged me knowing that the two authors are also blessed / victims of this malady / mental enhancement! I subsequently have bought copies for my aged mother in another state, and for my fiance. I have to say, my fiance read it through and studied it like a how to manual for fixing me! (She's a little scary, sometimes!) And of course I sent a copy to my brother, the doctor, who has added it to his trusted library of resources and textbooks.

I am now on one of the medications for the neurotransmitter stimulus. I have opted out of the antidepressants, because of their scary side effect warnings. But the stimulant works to calm me and flush me with something I don't have without the medication. It makes a difference. I feel better and more confident, more able to concentrate and more up to meeting all the challenges of life. What more can I say? Their attention to all facets including proper medication and case history is fascinating, intriguing, and extremely useful. Hope is out there.

As a divorced father of 3 boys (2 have been diagnosed with ADHD) I bought a few books on the subject to read about ADD / ADHD and its backgrounds. Until now this book has given me the best and most useful information of all. It's easily readable and doesn't go OTT as many other books do. The book can easily be used as a "manual" how to cope with things and gives loads of background information.
I must however make one serious point here! Beware; you might get more than you bargained for. A lot of things I read, especially the parts about adult ADD, worked like a mirror to me. I know now that considering ADD is genetic whose genes were "to blame". It was a shock as well as a revelation and if any book on my bookshelf will help my boys and me it's this one.
Mr. Hallowell thanks for writing this book.