Delivered From Distraction

Getting the Most Out of Life with Attention Deficit Disorder

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

Narrated by: Dan Cashman

In 1994, Driven to Distraction sparked a revolution in our understanding of attention deficit disorder. Widely recognized as the classic in the field, the book has sold more than a million copies. Now a second revolution is under way in the approach to ADD, and the news is great. Drug therapies, our understanding of the role of diet and exercise, even the way we define the disorder—all are changing radically. And doctors are realizing that millions of adults suffer from this condition, though the vast majority of them remain undiagnosed and untreated. In this new book, Drs. Edward M. Hallowell and John J. Ratey build on the breakthroughs of Driven to Distraction to offer a comprehensive and entirely up-to-date guide to living a successful life with ADD.

As Hallowell and Ratey point out, “attention deficit disorder” is a highly misleading description of an intriguing kind of mind. Original, charismatic, energetic, often brilliant, people with ADD have extraordinary talents and gifts embedded in their highly charged but easily distracted minds. Tailored expressly to ADD learning styles and attention spans, Delivered from Distraction provides accessible, engaging discussions of every aspect of the condition, from diagnosis to finding the proper treatment regime. Inside you’ll discover

• whether ADD runs in families
• new diagnostic procedures, tests, and evaluations
• the links between ADD and other conditions
• how people with ADD can free up their inner talents and strengths
• the new drugs and how they work, and why they’re not for everyone
• exciting advances in nonpharmaceutical therapies, including changes in diet, exercise, and lifestyle
• how to adapt the classic twelve-step program to treat ADD
• sexual problems associated with ADD and how to resolve them
• strategies for dealing with procrastination, clutter, and chronic forgetfulness

ADD is a trait, a way of living in the world. It only becomes a disorder when it impairs your life. Featuring gripping profiles of patients with ADD who have triumphed, Delivered from Distraction is a wise, loving guide to releasing the positive energy that all people with ADD hold inside. If you have ADD or care about someone who does, this is the book you must read.©2005 E. Hallowell and J. Ratey; (P)2005 Books on Tape, Inc.

Fantastic and accurate

I loved this book. I started reading it, in an effort to help my son. I learned so much about how he was feeling, and how I can help him feel better about himself. After reading, I could better understand him, and was able to get my son to open up more with me about what goes on in his head while in school etc.
I would highly recommend this book for anyone who would like to understand ADD and other like, diagnosis.

Life SAVING and Informative!

This is a MUST READ for any educator or person who believes they may need to seek treatment for adult ADD/ADHD. I have always told people that "It takes people like me to make everyone else look normal." I literally cried through so many portions of the book as I felt like I had finally found someone who understood me and the struggles I have had throughout life. After having been unsuccessfully treated in the past for generalized anxiety disorder and depression (separately), I am now looking to find a doctor who specializes in adult ADD. This book succeeds in providing detailed information in so many areas regarding diagnosis, treatment options, and more; I feel very well versed in what I need to do to get on the right path for successful treatment of the REAL issues I face. The stories in this book will resonate with anyone who has lived with undiagnosed ADD. This would also be an excellent book for family members of those who have ADD.

As an educator, I found this book to be tremendously enlightening as to the additional symptoms/issues that are often coupled with ADD/ADHD. Educating teachers on the true issues of ADD/ADHD and the associated problems would serve students well.

Get this book.

I've never learned so much about ADD/ADHD as I have from this book. Not one doctor has ever taken the time to explain a fraction of what this book covers.

My advice is to listen while you fold laundry or some other task where you're usually bored and need stimulation but can do so safely without paying full attention.

Great book on ADD, even if you've lived with ADD

Where does Delivered From Distraction rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

The reader has a pretty good pace and is clear. This book was designed to be skipped around in, and makes references to chapter numbers. This is very frustrating in the audio book because the "Audible Chapters" and the "Book Chapters" don't line up.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Delivered From Distraction?

While I appreciate the South Park view of the 12 step program, it was really interesting to hear the comparison between the 12 steps for AA and for dealing with ADD. I also appreciated the more scientific/psychological interpretation of these steps.

Did Dan Cashman do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

N/A? The only thing I am curious about is the roles of the two authors in this book. One section is clearly Dr. Hallowell describing his experiences, but I was never clear on if any other sections were primarily authored by Dr. Ratey. I don't think the reader could have possibly known this though.

Any additional comments?

This is a great book to have both the kindle and audible version of. While I listened to much of the book straight through in the car, when I wanted to try and find a specific section talking about fish oil it's near impossible without a text search.

The ADD Guide

I turned 30 years old yesterday.

Today i finished this book that describes my condition...

this is the dumbest thing ever...

Reading this book earlier could have solved so many problems.

If you have ANYONE in your life with ADD (Which you most likely have - GET. THIS. BOOK.

It is on my favs list now