ADHD 2.0

New Science and Essential Strategies for Thriving with Distraction - from Childhood Through Adulthood

By: Edward M. Hallowell M.D., John J. Ratey M.D.

Narrated by: Fred Sanders

Length: 5 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

A revolutionary new approach to ADD/ADHD featuring cutting-edge research and strategies to help listeners thrive, by the best-selling authors of the seminal books Driven to Distraction and Delivered from Distraction

“An inspired road map for living with a distractible brain . . . If you or your child suffer from ADHD, this book should be on your shelf. It will give you courage and hope.” (Michael Thompson, PhD, New York Times best-selling co-author of Raising Cai)

World-renowned authors Dr. Edward M. Hallowell and Dr. John J. Ratey literally “wrote the book” on ADD/ADHD more than two decades ago. Their best seller, Driven to Distraction, largely introduced this diagnosis to the public and sold more than a million copies along the way. 

Now, most people have heard of ADHD and know someone who may have it. But lost in the discussion of both childhood and adult diagnosis of ADHD is the potential upside: Many hugely successful entrepreneurs and highly creative people attribute their achievements to ADHD. Also unknown to most are the recent research developments, including innovations that give a clearer understanding of the ADHD brain in action. In ADHD 2.0, Drs. Hallowell and Ratey, both of whom have this “variable attention trait”, draw on the latest science to provide both parents and adults with ADHD a plan for minimizing the downside and maximizing the benefits of ADHD at any age. They offer an arsenal of new strategies and lifestyle hacks for thriving with ADHD, including

• Find the right kind of difficult. Use these behavior assessments to discover the work, activity, or creative outlet best suited to an individual’s unique strengths.
• Reimagine environment. What specific elements to look for - at home, at school, or in the workplace - to enhance the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit inherent in the ADHD mind.
• Embrace innate neurological tendencies. Take advantage of new findings about the brain’s default mode network and cerebellum, which confer major benefits for people with ADHD.
• Tap into the healing power of connection. Tips for establishing and maintaining positive connection “the other Vitamind C” and the best antidote to the negativity that plagues so many people with ADHD.
• Consider medication. Gets the facts about the underlying chemistry, side effects, and proven benefits of all the pharmaceutical options. 

As inspiring as it is practical, ADHD 2.0 will help you tap into the power of this mercurial condition and find the key that unlocks potential. 

This audiobook includes a PDF of charts and appendices from the book. 

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio. 

©2021 Edward M. Hallowell and John J. Ratey (P)2021 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"Hallowell writes with clarity and humanity.... [ADHD 2.0] is a message of hope...a remarkably clear, personable, digestible and useful book.” (Dr. Lloyd Sederer, Psychology Today)

“Beautifully written, ADHD 2.0 is an inspired road map for living with a distractible brain. Two psychiatrists who have ADHD themselves combine the most recent brain science with humor, stories, and deep wisdom about how to manage your fluctuating attention. If you or your child suffer from ADHD, this book should be on your shelf. It will give you courage and hope.” (Michael Thompson, PhD, New York Times best-selling coauthor of Raising Cain) 

“Infinitely validating, effortlessly funny, and staggeringly insightful.... This book will save lives.” (Jessica McCabe, creator/host of How to ADHD) 

Wonderful but beware heavy on product placement

This was a great book. There isn't a lot of extraneous information like other books (although some is still there). He gets to the point which is perfect for people that have low attention spans. Highly recommend for those looking for the latest overall picture of ADHD updated science. My biggest complaint would have to be the product placements. There is recommendations for trying products that didn't seem to have a ton of evidence for (at least that is referenced). For example, if you go to Zing Performance or Kolbe A Index, you will see his name under "how did you hear about us?". So it seems reasonable that he may be getting kickback. I'm sure not how I feel about the ethics of that, and I feel like he could have done a better job of giving disclaimers, but a great deal of a few of the chapters felt like a sales pitch for some of these products. People with ADHD can be desperate and impulsive to buy and try anything, so it kind of makes us a bit vulnerable. Maybe they work, and they are the magic bullet, but it's very much a part of this book. Otherwise a ton of great stuff. Don't pass on it, just be aware. Definitely avoid the Kolbe Index. It's a rabbit hole of $$$ that will give you only basic vague insight you are probably already aware for answers to extremely ambiguous questions. Then will ask for more money to get unhelpful and extremely vague options for possible careers. I felt like it was a scam after spending >$100

Full of adds for non-proven treatments. So disappointing.

I am a psychiatric provider specializing in ADHD. Dr. Hallowell and Dr. Ratey have always stood out to me as well meaning experts on ADHD who wrote their books based on scientific legit research. While they continue to have good ideas and information in this book, it is also filled with marketing ploys and adds for many brand-specific treatments, including diets, supplements, tests, programs and other devices. Some that they claim to take themselves. Many are treatments I know are definitely not supported by the current research. Can’t say how disappointed I am they have sold out to these companies for the money. Makes it very hard to trust the rest of the information provided here. Very unfortunate.

Cut to the chase… you know who you’re working with

Every ADHD help book just repeats all the symptoms like a broken record. WE KNOW!
Word of advice. Tell me the symptom then immediately tell me the solution.
All these “adhd help” books are made for the neurotypical brain that needs a shit ton of stupid rationalizing 😂 WEEEEE KNOOOOWWWW JUST TELL ME HOW TO FIX IT

Good at first, but devolves rapidly

Important to know going in, the approach the author seemed to take here was to report and extrapolate on the cutting edge of research into ADHD and management strategies. By itself, there is nothing wrong with that. In fact, exposing a lay audience to information they likely don't have access to could he viewed as an important contribution. In my opinion, the author approaches this well in some cases, like when discussing the default mode and task positive networks (DMN and TPN) and their potential explanatory power for inattention and distractibility. At other times, like when there is mention of pretty thoroughly debunked EMF fields and their theorized impacts on health as worthy of consideration, I had a hard time staying engaged. I expected more thorough scrutiny from such an expert in the field. There is also subtle advertising of products and services, which I think is bogus. One section the author spends an entirely excessive amount of time describing an approach that purports to use improvement of the brains vestibular system in regulating emotions. The theory itself is interesting, but instead of the author giving the takeaway, which is to use any method that improves balance, he spends a lot of time trying to sell the audience on an untested treatment method and even gives the founders website and contact information. The most abhorrent is when he describes a provider's novel approach of treating ADHD with antihistamines, naming bandryl specifically. This is irresponsible, as there will inevitably be readers self-medicating with benadryl now. This is particularly dangerous for those who are undiagnosed and therefore have no access to appropriate medication management. If I'm giving the author grace, I think the book was published prematurely and should have waited for the science to progress. My cynical side says this was an income generator or the publishing company pushing for another book prematurely. My nihilistic side says this doctor has lost touch and shouldn't he treating patients anymore. Bottom line: you can skip this one. My suggestion: read up on connections between the DMN and ADHD on your own and save yourself some time. That is the only good information I found after listening to half the audio book. I couldn't stomach finishing it myself.

Audiobook about ADHD not for ADHD listeners

The book is clearly written in a concise manner and presents relevent information about the ADHD, however, the case for audiobook seems to be a different one; I have often dozed off due to monotone reading and lack of any particular hooks beyond my interest in ADHD.

I highly recommend this book, although ebook or print version might be a better alternative for people struggling with ADHD

To many adds!

The book at some points sounds like it is a bit too long commercial of supplements and some non-medical devices which are supposed to help with ADHD. Unfortunately the research supporting advertised stuff is often not shown.

Finally!

As someone who was recently diagnosed with ADHD, I tried listening to many different ADHD books here on Audible. I kept getting very bored (shocker). This book actually is very useful and filled me with hope, clarity, and excitement for the future.

I’m sure it’s good info…

I’m sure it’s good information, but the bars at or wasn’t engaging enough to hold my attention and I found myself zoning out repeatedly. This is probably a book you’ll have to read in print.

Very helpful and research-based!

As a clinician who works with lots of kids with ADHD, I found this book extremely helpful as a summary of recent research written with the care and understanding of clinicians who fully grasp the both the clinical and personal implications. Both authors are open about their own struggles with ADHD which only adds to the impact of the information. I’ve already recommended it to several fellow clinicians as well as parents in my own practice!

An ADHD game changer!

As a woman who was diagnosed ADHD as an adult, this book changed by perspective of myself and my life. It helped me understand my childhood and it helped increase my self-worth. As a psychotherapist, this book has helped me recognize ADHD and neuroatypical traits in many of my clients. I recommend this book to most of my clients and/or their parents.