Rating: 
Summary: Solid, Fun, Helpful
Review: While many ADD books are filled with froth and fluff, and others are littered with mantras about accepting ADD in our life but, "Driven to Distraction" actually is useful. Buy it now before you forget. From descriptions about what is and is not ADD, to incredibly informative thoughts on ways of managing ADD's pitfalls and positives, this book is the one to buy. Anyone with ADD welcomes every aspect of it, and most of us would trade it for a dollar. However, Hallowell and Ratey manage to dispel the malarkey about ADD being a handicap, and provide case studies which will remind you of many of your own experiences. Great for a dear friend or mate to read to understand ADD, and how to be a better friend or spouse. Let me recommend also, "Managing Attention & Learning Disorders : Super Survival Strategies" by Elaine McEwan and "Uncommon Gifts : Transforming Learning Disabilities into Blessing" by James Stewart Evans. I fully recommend "Driven to Distraction : Recognizing and Coping With Attention Deficit Disorder from Childhood Through Adulthood." Anthony Trendl
Rating:
Summary: A necessity. It's the Bible of ADD.
Review: I am one of those beset by troubles with myself that I couldn't understand. Soon I learned of ADD and of Driven to Distraction. THE BOOK HIT THE NAIL RIGHT ON THE HEAD! Driven to Distraction is an excellent introduction to those who have no knowledge of ADD, but have found out about it want to know more about it and everything about it. Want to know ADD? Start with this book. No other researcher has collected more pertinent data and given to ordinary people in their language than Drs. Hallowell and Ratey. Truly, this book is the Bible of ADD life. Coupled with Answers to Distraction, one could consider himself well-equipped to face the world where ADD is a terrible stigma. I'm from the Philippines and here ADD is still known as a kid's disease and named MBD (Minimal Brain Dysfunction). NO ONE knows about ADD here, and if only this book were read by more psychologists in this country, the problems would certainly be more alleviated. My hat off to Drs. Hallowell and Ratey for such a helpful, life-changing book. God bless!
Rating:
Summary: Great, Great Book!
Review: I found out that I had A.D.D between my freshman and sophmore year in high school. My entire freshman year was a screaming match between me and my teachers, and me and my parents. All the encouragement I ever got as "you need to take study skills" or "you're not trying at all" or my favorite, the commonly used "you are lazy and dont want to work, plain and simple!" I came across "Driven to Distraction" while working on a biology project during my sophmore year. I felt myself being pulled into it after only six pages. I found that i could relate to alot of the people, especially Jim. It helped me gain a better understanding for my A.D.D and boosted my confidence ten-fold. I would recommend "Driven to Distraction" to anyone with A.D.D, friends and family of those with A.D.D, and those who just want to learn more about it.
Rating:
Summary: Driven to Distraction: Recognizing and Coping With Attention
Review: WOW! I am happy to say that after reading this wonderful book, that I am not manic-depressive as an immediate family member had me convinced my entire life. Well-meaning advice sometimes spoken out of anger and frustration over the ADD behavior I displayed throughout the years, but WRONG! I found myself on all the pages, 100%, where as most of the self-help books I have read over the years to deal with myself, was at 50%. This book exactly detailed my life. I just wish it had come along sooner; I could have averted a lot of damage to myself and family. My mother suggessted it, who by the way was not the family member who had me incorrectly diagnosed, - Thank you, mom - and just in time too, since I had given up on me and my life, of trying to make things happen and just plain work. I have scheduled an appointment to have myself clinically diagnosed and I am looking forward to accepting and living my new and uniquely gifted life. Wahoooo!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent book for parents, teachers & ADD/ ADHD adults
Review: As an educator, I've been dealing with kids with attention problems for many years, as has my wife who is a learning differences teacher (as a tutor and in private schools). When our daughter was in 2nd grade, she was diagnosed with ADD (over 15 years ago), so we began learning about this disorder firsthand. After attending a teacher's seminar on ADHD, I began suspecting that I might have it as well, but it wasn't until I read Hallowell's "Driven to Distraction" that I decided to seek help. Now, many years later, I can say that I'm glad I did. As an elementary school librarian, this is the first book I recommend to teachers and parents, as well as to adults who suspect they may have an attention problem. It is easy to read, full of good information and the self-quizzes throughout the book are invaluable.
Rating:
Summary: This book saved my career and my family
Review: I have had problems all my life, some described in this book and some described by the other people who wrote a review of this book. My wife and I were attending marriage counseling because of my short temper. After a few sessions our therapist said she thought I had ADD which I quickly dismissed even though my younder brother was diagnosed with ADD early in his life. After a few more years of trying to convince me, after trying all kinds of self help, after attending anger management classes, our therapist finally recommended this book. I read parts and reread parts and reread parts (others with ADD will understand this) and finally, I got to the "test" in the back of the book. 100 yes/no questions, the more yes answers the more likely you are to have ADD. I took it and after restarting 4 or 5 times finally finished the test with a score of 80. For a baseline I had my wife take it. She scored 18. Not a diagnosis but enough for me to make an appointment with a psychiatrist. Almost 2 years later I am taking ADD medication and my temper is gone, my work productivity and my ability to complete projects has greatly improved. And most importantly I and my family have a new outlook on life. Everyone is happier, especially me.
Rating: 
Summary: Good book, but very redundant
Review: Good information book per se, but the whole book could be summed up in 20 or 30 pages. The author constantly repeats the same points throughout the book, and that can make for a boring read. The book does an excellent job of covering all symptoms of ADD in great detail, but does not provide concrete solutions to the problem..IE "take medicine, get therapy and make lists to help you remember". I was expecting a more do it yourself approach with possibly some mental exercises that could help increase concentration or memory.
Rating:
Summary: Part of a Club
Review: I guess that I'm not a scientist. I never quantified my distractibility etc... (although my old school records could probably show statistics). All I can say is that I was diagnosed ADD a couple years ago, but I didn't realized the cause and effect of ADD. For every action there is an equal and oppisite reaction. By being distracted, I was punished in my youth (or other problems). I guess I could add a chapter in the book myself. Because of being undiagnosed and uneducated regarding ADD, my life was not all that it will be. For those who don't have ADD they may not relate. How can you describe the taste of butter to someone if they have never tasted butter. It's kind of rich, and salty, creamy, I have no scientific proof, but it is describe that way by so many...(they would not understand). In reading this I felt like I was more like part of a club, rather then an outcast. I only got about half way through, and honestly I was a bit sad or scared. You see it was sort of a challange for me to figure out why I was the way I was. It was the additional "ball to juggle" which was manifested from this problem. I'm a bit afraid to finish the rest of the book. If the rest of the book answers the rest of any remaining questions that I have, then what would I do to fill the large gap of 'searching for answers' which has consumed such a large portion of my life. But I will finish the book. I imagine that I will always have some questions.
I don't know who said
"A moment of realization is worth a thousand prayers"
but it rings home for me. Good luck
Rating: 
Summary: Very impoverished and ambiguous explanations
Review: The book mentions every conceivable cause or correlation with ADD so as to essentially signify "whatever you want to believe ADD is it is." Which shows you how phony psychological modeling and generalizations can be. Save your money. There is no science here. Instead there is indulgence in metaphor and platitudes and loose links. Where is the science?
Rating:
Summary: A Great Book For Understanding A Particular Type of Mind.
Review: I read this book seeking out information, lots of information about Attention Deficit Disorder: what it means, how it's diagnosed, how it can be treated, and how it effects every-day interactions. This book is comprehensive and can answer nearly any question that someone may have about ADD. ADD is such a new diagnosis, it is still evolving, that many people who could be diagnosed as adults may not know that they can get help for their frustration. This book also does a good job in discussing ADD in children and if diagnosed, ways of explaining to a child about how their brain works differently. Attempting to understand the workings of our minds if very difficult, this book is a good resource for anyone who seeks to understand how their own mind works to help them understand someone elses.
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