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Answers to Distraction Paperback – January 12, 2010

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 186 ratings
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The bestselling authors of Driven to Distraction share everything you need to know about ADD in this revised and updated edition.
 
Two experts respond to the most frequently asked questions about Attention Deficit Disorder. After decades of being unfairly diagnosed, children and adults with ADD are now recognized as having a common and treatable neurological condition. Drs. Hallowell and Ratey answer the questions most frequently asked at their nationwide workshops and seminars, resulting in an easy-to-read reference that covers every aspect of the disorder: from identifying symptoms and diagnosis, to the latest treatment options, as well as practical day-to-day advice on how you or a loved one can live a normal life with ADD.
 
Whether you are a patient, parent, teacher, or health-care professional, Answers to Distraction will help those whose ADD has caused persistent problems in school, at work, and in relationships.
 
Q&As include:

• What is the single most important scientific finding about ADD in the last decade?
• How early can ADD be diagnosed?
• Where can a parent get support for dealing with a child who has ADD?
• What advances in the field of medication have taken place since the original version of this book was published?
• How can you help someone of any age who resists the diagnosis of ADD get comfortable with it?
Read more Read less
Previous page
  1. Print length
    368 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    January 12, 2010
  4. Dimensions
    5.19 x 0.83 x 8 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    0307456390
  6. ISBN-13
    978-0307456397
  7. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

EDWARD M. HALLOWELL, M.D., was an instructor at Harvard Medical School for twenty years and is now the director of the Hallowell Centers in Seattle, San Francisco, New York City, and the Boston area. He is the co-author of Driven to Distraction, Delivered from Distraction, and Answers to Distraction, as well as the author of CrazyBusy, The Childhood Roots of Adult Happiness, and Worry, among other titles. He also hosts a weekly podcast called Distraction that offers practical solutions on how to focus and regain control in today’s digital world.

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

You Mean There's Actually a Name for It?

Toward a Definition of ADD




Q: Can you tell me in brief what I need to know about ADD?

A: I can try. ADD is a neurological syndrome that is usually genetically transmitted. It is characterized by distractibility, impulsivity, and restlessness. In ADD these symptoms are present from childhood on, and with a much greater intensity than in the average person, so that they interfere with everyday functioning. Diagnosis is made primarily by reviewing one's history; there is no foolproof "test" for ADD. Great care must be taken to make an accurate diagnosis and to look for other problems that may occur along with ADD, such as low self-esteem, depression, substance abuse, or family turmoil.

Treatment includes education, structure, coaching, and medication. With treatment, the prognosis is usually good.

Both diagnosis and treatment should always be done under medical supervision. ADD is a tricky diagnosis and the treatment is not always simple. You should never diagnose or treat yourself.

Q: Are there any advantages to having ADD?

A: Yes. There are many.

To the extent that there is such a thing as the ADD personality--and I believe that there is--it has its pluses and its minuses. The pluses are not usually discussed much because books and articles about ADD naturally tend to focus on problems and solutions rather than advantages. But the advantages deserve prominent mention. They include:

• High energy

• Creativity

• Intuitiveness

• Resourcefulness

• Tenacity

• Hardworking, never-say-die approach

• Warmheartedness

• Trusting attitude (sometimes too much so)

• Forgiving attitude (sometimes too much so)

• Sensitivity (often can hurt as well as serve the person)

• Ability to take risks (again, a double-edged sword)

• Flexibility

• Good sense of humor

• Loyalty

Lest the skeptic think this sounds more like the Boy Scouts' oath than a legitimate list of traits, let me hasten to add that not all people with ADD have all these qualities, nor can I prove the scientific validity of the list itself. However, based upon my experience with thousands of individuals with ADD, and based upon my conversations with many other authorities in the field, this list of positive qualities does fairly describe the advantageous side of the ADD personality.

People with ADD do tend to be warm, creative, flexible, loyal, innovative, hardworking, and the rest of the qualities on that list. However, the problems their ADD causes can be so severe that these positive qualities never gain full expression or recognition. The negative qualities can be so toxic and self-defeating that the strengths are wasted.

Once the person gets proper treatment, the negative aspects of ADD recede, and the positive can flourish.

People with ADD remind me of the bumblebee. The bumblebee should not be able to fly. Its body is too big and its wings are too short. Scientists say it should not be able to fly. Aerodynamically, it should be impossible. The physicists agree--the design of the bumblebee is incompatible with flight. Its balance should be all off. So how does the bumblebee fly? We don't know. But it does fly. That much we do know.

Q: Is there a hallmark of ADD, a single core trait that defines it best?

A: In our opinion, yes there is. It is a relative lack of inhibition. People with ADD tend to be more spontaneous than the average person. They speak freely, at times too much so. They think freely, at times creatively, at other times chaotically. They act unpredictably: often even they do not know what they're going to do next. They do not inhibit their responses as stringently as most people do. They often lack the intermediate reflective step between impulse and action. This can be charming and innovative, or it can be annoying and disruptive, depending upon the impulse and the action.

People with ADD neither inhibit nor shape their responses as automatically as those who do not have ADD. This leads, directly or indirectly, to almost all of the other symptoms associated with ADD, including disruptive behavior, impulsivity, restlessness, uneven attention span, disorganization, tactlessness, irritability, impatience, and risk-taking behavior. It also leads to many of the positive qualities of ADD, such as creativity (because creativity depends upon some degree of disinhibition), spontaneity, high energy, and openness (people with ADD do not inhibit responses long enough to close down and become guarded). Most treatment aims to increase inhibition where needed, without imposing unwanted limits.

Q: What is the best definition of "attention deficit disorder"?

A: We do not know exactly what attention deficit disorder is. The most official definition is found in a volume entitled the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, published by the American Psychiatric Association. The first edition of this manual was published in 1952. It has been updated several times since then. Its most recent incarnation, the fourth, was published in 1994. For short, it is called DSM-IV. Here is how DSM-IV defines ADD:

A. Either (1) or (2):

1. Six (or more) of the following symptoms of inattention have persisted for at least six months to a degree that is maladaptive and inconsistent with developmental level:

a. often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities

b. often has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities

c. often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly

d. often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace (not due to oppositional behavior or failure to understand instructions)

e. often has difficulty organizing tasks and activities

f. often avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort (such as schoolwork or homework)

g. often loses things necessary for tasks or activities

h. is often easily distracted by extraneous stimuli

i. is often forgetful in daily activities

2. Six (or more) of the following symptoms of hyperactivity (a to f)-impulsivity (g to i) have persisted for at least six months to a degree that is maladaptive and inconsistent with developmental level:

a. often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat

b. often leaves seat in classroom or in other situations in which remaining seated is expected

c. often runs about or climbs excessively in situations in which it is inappropriate (in adolescents or adults, may be limited to subjective feelings of restlessness)

d. often has difficulty playing or engaging in leisure activities quietly

e. is often "on the go" or often acts as if "driven by a motor"

f. often talks excessively

g. often blurts out answers before questions have been completed

h. often has difficulty awaiting turn

i. often interrupts or intrudes on others (e.g., butts into conversations or games)

B. Some hyperactive-impulsive symptoms that caused impairment were present before age seven years.

C. Some impairment from the symptoms is present in two or more settings (e.g., at school [or work] and at home).

D. There must be clear evidence of clinically significant impairment in social, academic, or occupational functioning.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group; Revised, Updated ed. edition (January 12, 2010)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 368 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0307456390
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0307456397
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 10 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.19 x 0.83 x 8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 186 ratings

About the author

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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

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
186 global ratings
Cut & Printed crooked
3 Stars
Cut & Printed crooked
The pictures make the crooked-ness seem minimal, but these are the wonkiest books I’ve ever recorded. I ordered a replacement and it was only slightly better. Some pages had text cut off and the whole thing was clearly cut on an angle. Recommended by my Psychiatrist because the content of the book is ADHD friendly (and about ADHD), but it can’t read it because I’m so distracted by the wonky, misaligned pages.Three stars because the content is incredible…it would be 5 stars if they used a better print shop.
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Top reviews from the United States

GodFamilyCountry
5.0 out of 5 stars Best book about ADHD ever.
Reviewed in the United States on May 24, 2023
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Clear, concise, written by doctors who themselves have ADHD, this is by far the best book I've ever read on the topic. Lists strengths those with ADHD have, as well as difficulties. Because it is in a question-answer format, the reader can browse the index and skip directly to what they most want to learn about. I tossed my prior collection of books on ADHD in favor of this and other books on the topic by these authors.
3 people found this helpful
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Christine
5.0 out of 5 stars Very practical
Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2013
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I am a health care professional, and this updates version has great information for those with add, or someone you think may have it. Great that they use short presentations of actual patient examples, given often add can look different and be missed for years, especially in adults. When my husband was younger, he was diagnosed with dyslexia, and back then (he is 45 now), he was held back and sent to a special school that mainly had juvenile delinquents. It caused him such psychological negative effects, and now that he is. Treated for add that he likely had as a child, we suspect missing this diagnosis when he was younger was misconstrued as lack of drive or that he did not care. This is the 'bible' in this realm.
3 people found this helpful
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Candice M.
4.0 out of 5 stars I would recommend this book to anyone who has to deal with ...
Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2016
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If you are dealing with Bi-polar or have a family member dealing with this mental illness, then this is a book for you. i have read this book and it has helped me to deal with bi-polar personalities. I am able to identify when a family member is having a hard time communicating of expressing one feelings. I would recommend this book to anyone who has to deal with this kind of mental illness. Very helpful and easy to read
One person found this helpful
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E. Robbins
5.0 out of 5 stars Practical Advice for Non-Medical Management
Reviewed in the United States on June 5, 2003
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I purchased this book when my husband was diagnosed with ADD. I had very little experience with the condition and didn't know how to help him. The book was wonderful. It includes so many helpful tips for non-medical management that I was almost overwhelmed with ideas. We slowly tried them out and kept the ones that worked for us and discarded those that didn't. The book also helped me understand the condition. I had a hard time understanding what his world was like but the book really helped with that. It is a must read for any parent or spouse living with an ADD sufferer.
27 people found this helpful
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squirrely
5.0 out of 5 stars Good resource book
Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2017
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If you or someone you know has ADD or ADHD this is a must read. It was recommended to us by a professional and definitely worth a read. It is laid out in short blurbs on various topics so it does not read like a textbook. It has good, sound, solid information on adapting to ADD or ADHD with examples and suggestions.
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Nadine
5.0 out of 5 stars Best author on ADHD and ADD!!!
Reviewed in the United States on June 27, 2010
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Answers to Distraction is a practical and informative book, and will help anyone who needs help coping with ADD! Great for the whole family, because it sheds light on what it is and how to best help deal with it!
This author is the absolute best on ADHD because of his focus on the POSITIVE aspects of ADHD, and how to use it to gain the most of of the extra special brain that people with ADHD have!
A MUST READ for any person with ADHD and their loved ones!
3 people found this helpful
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Carmen Ortiz
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for people with ADHD
Reviewed in the United States on October 9, 2014
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I have read other books on the topic and this one has also been very helpful,clarifying and encouraging. It has help me remind myself that when I do things that in the past,I would have said how stupid of me,how can I not remember whatever,or other diminishing statements, I now just tell myself,this is how your brain works, redirect and all is well. In other words,totally accept myself with out struggles. Thank you.
5 people found this helpful
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SAVVY SENIOR
4.0 out of 5 stars 65 Years Later
Reviewed in the United States on January 22, 2014
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Was diagnosed with ADD at age 65. Had it all my life, of corse no one knew what it was when I was a child. I wasn't hyper per say, I was very talkative, creative, etc. So, when my son started asking questions about his father's tendencies, I realized it was me and he sent me the Delivered from Distraction. I took the test that was provided and it said to see a Psychiatrist right away. I did and guess what TA-DA. I bought this one so I could get more answers and it's been interesting. i can now look back and see what some of the problems were growing up. Thanks Dr. Hallowell
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Richard Codjoe
5.0 out of 5 stars Sehr gutes Buch.
Reviewed in Germany on May 25, 2020
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Sehr gut.
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Blue Eyes
5.0 out of 5 stars Great answers
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 1, 2017
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A book that must be read for people with or related to someone who has ADHD
One person found this helpful
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Vani
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in India on May 11, 2015
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Most eye-opening details about ADD and its effects. These Doctors are gods.
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Erin Sherriff
4.0 out of 5 stars easy to read format
Reviewed in Canada on October 1, 2013
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i liked how the book was written in Q&A format
east to read "little bits" here and there rather then commit to reading a whole chapter etc
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Leah Shannon
2.0 out of 5 stars I got distracted...
Reviewed in Canada on May 10, 2016
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I would have all the answers except this book couldn't hold my attention and I.....got distracted. Maybe once I'm on medication I'll be able to read it.
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