Driven to Distraction

Recognizing and Coping with Attention Deficit Disorder from Childhood Through Adulthood

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

Narrated by: John McDonough

Length: 13 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's Summary

Through vivid stories of the experiences of their patients (both adults and children), Drs. Hallowell and Ratey show the varied forms ADD takes - from the hyperactive search for high stimulation to the floating inattention of daydreaming - and the transforming impact of precise diagnosis and treatment.

©1995 Edward M. Hallowell, M.D. and John J. Ratey, M.D. All rights reserved. ©1995 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved. (P)2013 Simon & Schuster

Informative

As an adult with a husband, 2 kids under 4, a full-time job in a classroom and a budding business owner I thought I was lazy, crazy, and something was just missing. Everything I tried to do from lesson plans, to baby schedules, to cooking, etc took me 2-3 times longer than my peers. I was diagnosed with moderate to severe ADD in August and my dr recommended this book. I bought it right away but was never able to read much because of my lack of focus and time. The audible version was perfect and I just about cried as every new topic, every case study, every description is what I had been living with my whole life but has gradually gotten worse as my responsibilities increased. I had my husband listen too and it has really added another level to his understanding of me and what I go through on a daily basis. While the information wasn’t a cure it certainly is a great starting point to a better understanding of what add is and what it does in my life. It is definitely a better alternative to researching online which would lead to 1,000 open tabs of partially skimmed information and new avenues to explore and coming out the other end none the wiser.

If you or a loved one has ADHD, this is a must-read.

The most important book for helping me understand my life with adult ADHD. So glad it was on Audible. I've had the print version for years, but kept getting distracted from finishing it.

A must for those with or close to ADD

I'm 35 and was diagnosed with ADHD just a few years ago. Being diagnosed answered a lot of questions, but also left a lot unanswered. Why can it be so hard to focus on a task, but then I'm able to hyper-focus at times too? Maybe my diagnosis was wrong? Through the stories of the patients in this book, I got a much better understanding of how ADHD shows up. There were several stories that were so similar to mine, and seeing these patients' experience was such a relief to me. I also had my wife listen in on a couple specific sections that I felt explained what happens in my head better than I have been able to, which has provided some benefit and ease in our relationship.

This book is long- ironically so, given the audience, and I'm sure glad it is on Audible as I couldn't have focused well enough to read it on paper. Though long, I do see the value in the broad coverage of the topic and stories covering the spectrum of how this disorder appears in people's lives.

The narrator was very pleasant. His voice is soothingly wonderful, and perfect for this potentially challenging topic.

I highly recommend this book!

So many lists

While I absolutely loved the lessons that this book gave me I couldn't help but notice that the book does lists very regularly. These weren't very short lists either so it made it slightly difficult to stay on track with the book. I did especially enjoy the stories of others that struggle with ADHD. It helps to know that you are not alone when it comes to these things. I would recommended this book to adults looking to educate themselves on ADHD.

ABetyer Understanding of ADHD

Nice, matter of fact narration. If you have ADHD, recommend listening at 1.15 speed and possibly have a paper copy to follow along with when listening. (Or take notes, if that's one of your strategies for paying attention)

the book itself is very good, especially since it's written by someone who has ADHD, and plenty of stories from others who have it. Information on meds somewhat dated, but the strategies and talk about effects of ADHD on those who have it and people around them (us) is still timely and worth the listen

A life changer

The pace is soothing, the narration is very ‘dignified’. The content is thorough and extremity helpful.

A Bit Outdated

While this book is helpful in some ways, and continues to inspire hope within many who struggle with ADD (particularly in adults), some of the information is quite outdated. During the 1980's and early 90's, not much was known about Autism Spectrum Disorders, therefore some of the anecdotes used seem to describe forms of high functioning ASD rather than ADD, though they do share some overlapping symptoms. Overall, it's not a bad read; if one has spare time and happens to be curious about this book, I would not try to dissuade anyone... just keep in mind that there are better, more up to date reads on the subject.

Very informative

I am grateful for the information I learned in listening to this book. My spouse and lots of family members have been diagnosed with ADD and I feel I have a much better understanding of what that means.

Very helpful!

Helps me to understand the syndrome. A lot of unexplained things leading to questions of charachter flaw gets answered.

Excellent Book

This book while kind of dry at times was excellent. I learned so much about myself and my family. I feel a sense of relief about who I am. I am more self accepting as well.

Should be given with you when your diagnosed. A must for anyone whose life is affected by ADHD

As someone recently diagnosed (4months ago) at 36 years old this has been an revolutionary experience. I’m Scottish so the diagnosis is not so widespread here and maybe less well understood. Maybe, not professionally but definitely in the wider population.
Ive developed many sayings through the years to explain my behaviour to others which I’ve now discovered are all hallmarks of ADHD
“I’ve only 2 modes. Raging or ecstatic”
“At least you can get peace from me. I can’t. Even when I’m tucked away up ma loft I’m still there bursting my own chops”
“Every time I leave somewhere I usually have at least 2 encores - to go back for whatever it is I’ve forgotten”

I don’t think there is enough space to accommodate the endless list I could continue with here but I’m sure you get the idea. So to find these aren’t all negative parts of my character but in fact ways in which my brain processes information and more do with chemical imbalance. Not laziness and attitude that has been drummed into me through school and into work.
I’ve been put on medication and I am feeling the benefit but I’ve also got a part to play in understanding ADHD (I’ve got the hyperactive branch) and this book nails that. It’s done in a sympathetic manner which as I’ve said earlier is not what my schooling or work had/has ever afforded me. It’s comforting knowing the author has ADHD and this added to the fact he’s a doctor with the appropriate qualifications to comment on the syndrome. I defo tapped into my hyper focus element cos I’ve done the full book in less than a week and given I work full time and 13hrs is hardly a short read. I’ve always had problems taking in what I read. The fact it’s read for me helps eliminate that. To anyone who has ADHD, knows someone who has or thinks they do. Read or listen to this. It’s an absolute must. I feel a million times better about myself after getting through this book as it’s a wealth of information and given the subject it’s a particularly hard audience to captivate for 13hours. Dr Hallowell you are a legend. Thank you for the knowledge gained in this book and I will now Endeavor to put all the tips into practice.

Just what I needed to hear!

Hooray for this book! I have finally heard something that perfectly sums up how I've felt all my life. I'm not going crazy after all!

All jokes aside, this book is expertly written and backed up with both anecdotes and medical studies.

As someone with suspected adhd (awaiting consult), I did wonder if I would be able to make it through with the narrator's long drawn voice. So much so that I nearly didn't buy it. I'm so glad I did though. The narration was engaging and kept my interest throughout. It was a great tool for keeping me in one room at a time while I cleaned!!

Will definitely be listening again (as I have forgotten most of the things I want to take from this book hahaha!).

Amazingly helpful

After my initial diagnosis and whilst waiting for my final diagnosis, I was advised to read this book and I can honestly say it is changing my life. If you have ADHD it's like hearing your biography. I'm 42 and I've discovered I'm not rubbish I've just been born with a bit missing. In fact, im rather fab. If you want to know what ADHD is like, read this - it describes it perfectly. After telling a colleague at work is been diagnosed she told me her son was also ADHD and told me this was the best book. I cannot stress how important it is to read this.

Really helpful and insightful book

After "ignoring" my childhood diagnosis of ADD after highschool, I've run into myself so many times it's a wonder I made it this far. Still, the amount of unfinished and unfulfilled plans, projects and ideas is weighing me down. This book gave me insight of where it is coming from and how I might cope with it in the future.
I'd recommend this book for everyone that has ADD or a loved one with. It made me work on myself again and recognise that some of my "quirks" have a basis in ADD and can be treated.

Interesting but needlessly long

The content of the book is for sure very interesting, and potentially life-changing for someone. Still it is the slowest and most boring book I ever listened to. I went x2.5 and still found it unbearably slow and dull. If you can finish it, most probably you don’t need it.

magic

hey hey at 55yrs of age I just discovered what's wrong with me just need to see the right ppls now .Great book from start to finish this is my first book and yep certainly educated me

Outstanding. Changed my life.

What a fantastic book read by a fantastic narrator. I have learned so much about myself through reading this that I will never be the same again.

So Glad I'm Knot Mad !!! ..... Thank You.

At 62yrs Young, Many Years of Questioning and Major Mis-Diagnosis. ADHD Confirmed, Awaiting ASD Assessment. This Book Has Helped Me to Answer Questions I Would Have Had No Idea to Ask !!! .....Thank You.
DARE I SAY ? ..... Potential Life Saver and a Great Springboard for Ones Journey to A Far Better Way to Live Ones Life, Using The Insights and Tools to Lead a Full and Fulfilling Life....So There ! Xxx

Fairly easy to listen to for someone with ADHD

Also seems quite well evidence based. Not too many tables and lists just read out, like some books on the subject.

Don't read if you yourself have ADD

Written by people with ADD, about people with ADD, for people with ADD.
Well, not quite... If you have ADD this book is a hard slog.

I've always been fortunate that I am able to hyper focus and read avidly despite having ADD, however this book was tough to get through. The anecdotes were far too long, although effective you would sit there listening for an hour about little Jimmy and copious amounts of irrelevant facts, these protracted cases were interspersed with one or two sentences that were insightful, informative and hopeful.

Those moments of explanation were amazing, scarily accurate and completely resonated with my entire life, but they didn't make up for the 80% absolute bore fest, and uncaptivating science lingo.
I was glad when this book was eventually over.