ADD and Zombies

Fearless Medication Management for ADD and ADHD

By: Wes Crenshaw, Kelsey Daugherty

Narrated by: Wes Crenshaw, Kelsey Daugherty

Length: 12 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

Wes Crenshaw and Kelsey Daugherty guide listeners on medication management for ADD and ADHD using advice drawn from thousands of hours of clinical contact with hundreds of fascinating clients.

Designed in an engaging, conversational style for listeners of all ages, the authors explore what it means to have ADD, describe how to get an accurate evaluation, examine co-occurring diagnoses and how they are treated in the context of ADD, and explain how to find a good prescriber.

They compare and contrast the array of medications available to treat ADD, explain how to use them correctly, and help listeners manage and work around the side effects. Crenshaw and Daugherty offer numerous case examples throughout the book to illustrate their integrative model of treatment designed to get listeners with an ADD diagnosis on the road to fearless medication management.

Have you been diagnosed with ADD or ADHD, or do you suspect you should be? Do you want to be sure you have an accurate diagnosis? Do you wonder if you’re getting the best treatment? Do you have a love-hate relationship with your medication or wonder why it seems to have stopped working? Then, this book is for you.

Does your partner, child, roommate, or friend have ADD? Do you wonder if medication might be right for them, and if so, which one? Do you struggle alongside them to deal with the many side effects of their stimulant? Do you wonder about alternative treatments? This book is for you.

Are you a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician’s assistant? Do you wish you had broader training and experience in assessing and prescribing for ADD and ADHD? Do you sometimes feel like you’re winging it? Do you wonder if this disorder is over- or underdiagnosed? Do you wish you could refer those cases out, but haven’t anyone to refer them to? This book is for you.

©2019 Wes Crenshaw (P)2021 Wes Crenshaw

Excellent resource for ADHD with a terrible title

I was diagnosed with ADHD a couple of months ago (at age 39) and this is the best resource I've encountered so far! Dr. Wes and Dr. Kelsey are clearly experts in their fields and also in communicating difficult information without patronizing. The authors presented information in an extremely accessible and readable (or listenable — the audiobook is well-narrated) format. They do a wonderful job of providing the clinical terminology and then breaking it down into plain language that doesn't require a PhD to understand.

There is a dearth of resources on ADHD medication that offer more than surface-level information. Dr. Wes and Dr. Kelsey really dig into the science of stimulant and non-stimulant options, as well as the similarities and differences among the plethora of options available, and their integrative approach to treating ADHD with both medication and therapy. They even cover alternative treatment options and explain how to apply the scientific method when considering the validity of ADHD studies or researching products that claim to help or even "cure" ADHD (spoiler alert: there is no cure for ADHD).

Most chapters start with a vignette (often an amalgamation of clients to protect their identities) depicting how ADHD can present in different individuals and situations. These vignettes lead into a well-rounded discussion around a particular aspect of treatment and/or medication management. This approach humanizes ADHD and teaches readers valuable lessons without shoving the information forcibly into your brain. They also mention, more than once, that their word isn't the be-all and end-all of ADHD treatment and suggest how to diplomatically present some of their suggestions to your own treatment team if you are struggling to feel heard.

As much as I enjoyed this book, I also have three qualms.

First, the authors use the outdated term "ADD" throughout the book, rather than the diagnostic label of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Their reasoning, as indicated in the first footnote on the first page of the chapter titled "Should I Read This Book?", is as follows: "...we're going to refer to this condition generically as ADD, because the vast majority of people who have it are not hyperactive. Moreover, most laypeople refer to this condition simply as ADD, and laypeople are the audience for this book." I feel like that would be a great opportunity to emphasize that ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) is no longer an official diagnosis, but is now considered Inattentive Type under the ADHD umbrella, per the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5).

Second, the primary title of the book, "ADD and Zombies," while memorable, feels like a marketing tactic to tap into the popularity of the "zombie" internet trend. The zombie effect of being overmedicated for ADHD is mentioned approximately twice, and zombies are not in any way a running theme of the book. The subtitle, "Fearless Medication Management for ADD and ADHD" is much more descriptive of the content and would still stand out in the sea of available books on ADHD.

Third, in the print version (probably also the Kindle version), some of the footnotes contain key explanations that can be easily overlooked. In the audiobook version, all the footnotes are inserted into the narrated text where they're indicated in the print version. I distinctly remember Dr. Wes addressing the use of "ADD" early on in the audiobook, but read through two and a half chapters before I noticed the footnotes contained more than just source citations (insert joke about ADHD and attention to detail here). Don't miss out!

TL;DR
I learned a lot from this book! It's a great overview of ADHD, related myths, and treatment options. I bought a print copy after listening to the audiobook to mark up and use as a tangible reference for discussions with my treatment team, family, and/or friends. I feel better prepared to discuss medication management with a qualified professional, and ask enough of the appropriate questions to make sure my providers and I are all on the same page.

Hopeful

We have been on a rollercoaster the last 5 years with our son and managing his alleged ADHD. Just as we were about to lose hope, I extensively researched the Internet for help. We have not met with Dr. Crenshaw yet, but are anxiously waiting for the day. Especially, after reading ADD and Zombies!