The Power of Different

The Link Between Disorder and Genius

De: Gail Saltz

Narrado por: Gail Saltz

A powerful and inspiring examination of the connection between the potential for great talent and conditions commonly thought to be "disabilities", revealing how the source of our struggles can be the origin of our greatest strengths.

In The Power of Different, psychiatrist and best-selling author Gail Saltz examines the latest scientific discoveries, profiles famous geniuses who have been diagnosed with all manner of brain "problems" - including learning disabilities, ADD, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and autism - and tells the stories of lay individuals to demonstrate how specific deficits in certain areas of the brain are directly associated with the potential for great talent. Saltz shows how the very conditions that cause people to experience difficulty at school, in social situations, at home, or at work are inextricably bound to creative, disciplinary, artistic, empathetic, and cognitive abilities.

In this pioneering work, listeners will find engaging scientific research and stories from historical geniuses and everyday individuals who have not only made the most of their conditions but who have flourished because of them. They are leaning into their brain differences to:

• Identify areas of interest and expertise
• Develop workarounds
• Create the environments that best foster their talents
• Forge rewarding interpersonal relationships

Enlightening and inspiring, The Power of Different proves that the unique wiring of every brain can be a source of strength and productivity and contributes to the richness of our world.

©2017 Gail Saltz (P)2017 Macmillan Audio

incredibly validating and encouraging

I was deeply moved by the description of ADD, anxiety,and to some degree dislexia, due to the precision in which it summarized my own life. I thought I had ADD, but had no clue that it encompassed​ and explained the complete set of cognitive challenges I've struggled with from my earliest childhood memories to now as a working adult, husband, and father. Nor did I realize it had anything to do with my aptitude and creativity in math science and music. I've managed to work my way into a fitting career as a research engineer, through what I perceived as hard work alone, without ADD medication or coaching, despite ongoing challenges with planning, organization, time/task management, task switching, reading, paying attention, short term memory, and convergent thinking. After reading this, I'm inspired to try to get an accurate diagnosis​, and hopefully some help.

Thank you

Absolutely loved it. I was telling my friends about it before I finished it! I hope to delve deeper into this matter

When there is always negatives this helps find the silver lining.

Though I wouldn’t agree that I wouldn’t change my diagnosis (OCD, debilitating anxiety, major depression and complex PTSD) my husbands bipolar 1, my daughters autism or my other daughter’s major depression. Finding a silver lining helped us with our acceptance of diagnosis. Sometimes finding a positive helps when your brain loves to live in the negative. Does our family deal with some serious issues? Absolutely! However I refer back to this audiobook when I need the silver lining. What this book really helped me realize is that most people have a mental health issue they are dealing with and maybe being one size fits all is ok. It’s ok to have differences. I love to refer to it as such. It helps you to feel better in your skin. On this journey to love myself this was a huge part of that.

Made me feel okay to be me!

please pass this book around to your friends. it will help save lives. we are okay, just different.

Loved loved loved it!

Please write a whole book expanding on the autism chapter! This book gives me hope at a very difficult time!!!

Different Brains for Different Gains

In a world where Meyers Briggs assessments, conflict styles, and change preferences are flooding organizations and leadership structures, The Power of Different is such a great listen. By discussing the gains and challenges of different brain types, I developed a new appreciation for the complexity of the topic of cognitive brain science.

Beyond understanding, the author makes a fantastic case for removing "crazy" and "nuts" from our vocabulary because given what we already know about cognition these terms no longer make much sense or serve any helpful purpose.

Encouraging to parents

I loved the way the author clearly and specifically defines brain differences/disorder in their distinctions and full spectrum. As a parent of divergent thinking son, who’s diagnosis is not yet in the DSM, the book is very encouraging in describing how we can parent, very specifically to our child’s strengths, to help what’s going right and embrace the journey. The whole book is evidence for my theory that the explosion of divergent thinking brains harkens and is an upgrading of the human species.

Great insight on versions personalities

What I got out of this book is that no matter who we are and what personality traits we have, there is a place for each in this world. It also gave me more insight and understanding on what people with personality differences have to go through. Thanks for these insights. It does well to have better understanding of people.

the power of different

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

As a parent of a young child with bipolar disorder and other brain difference, this book is
very encouraging

handbook of hope

I was captivated by this the way I can enter a fictional world and grieve at the end of the book that it is over. I didn't want this one to end. As a mother of 5, several having brain differences, I have renewed hope in the strengths that their "disorders" bring. I appreciate the author's candid presentation of struggles balanced with the factors that helped struggling children become happy, creative adults. I'll probably start listening all over again now that I'm through. With so many people presenting with these challenges ranging from dyslexia to autism and anxiety to bipolar, it's a handbook for seeing humanity through new lenses. A must-read/listen for anyone who wants to better understand and encourage themselves or those around them. It is not an exhaustive guide to identifying or coping with these disorders, but neither is it a simple overview. It is the perfect balance for an interested layman.