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

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.RelatabilityLike 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 StrugglesHallowell 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 PlansFor 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.

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!

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.

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.