Rating: 
Summary: Positive, solution oriented book
Review: I was recommended this book by a friend who is also a psychologist. Based on my personal history and my gig as a teacher, I have tremendous interest in the subject. This is the first book I've read on ADD and I found this to be a thorough, though perhaps overly positive, treatise on ADD from a talented psychiatrist who clearly has compassion for his patients.
Hallowell is a clear writer and this book will be helpful to a very wide audience. He brings in many case histories that illuminate his clear points. Towards the second half of the book he offers many bullet points for strategies and treatments to different audiences. Some reviewers have complained about redundancy. Yes, many of the points are redundant, but I feels he does this for two valid reasons. First, he wishes to emphasize the importance of a comprehensive diagnosis and the value of education. Secondly, he wisely realizes that many teachers and other niche audiences will spend a day or two with the book skimming through fifty pages or so and I think he wants to make sure all audiences get his most important points.
He does a quality job reaching different audiences. Teachers, ADD parents, ADD adults, even a precocious ADD middle schooler or high schooler could read this book all the way through and learn a lot. I'm not sure if there's as much as I would like for ADD employers, although I greatly appreciate the fact that he mentions that ADD is a recognized disability that is protected by antidiscrimination laws. If anyone has this disease, knowing that they can discuss "reasonable accomdations" with their employer and be at least partially protected is a great help. I'm not sure how much this book would add to the psychotherapy community, but even here I think the reliance on case studies is helpful.
The book does have a few weaknesses that the glowing reviews overlook. One reviewer went with a one star blast because he neglects the consequences of overdiagnosis. Yes, this book is almost totally positive on a psychological approach over what may be better served by a sociological [change TV!], spiritual [have folks attend to their Maker over their random thoughts], or professional [deal with it!] kind of approach. That didn't really bother me but so much because he does make it clear throughout the book the importance on a diagnosis that includes the patient's history, outside input on the patient's experiences and habits, and even a doctor to rule out other potential causes. I do believe ADD and executive functioning disorders are both overdiagnosed and overmedicated in the Potomac, MD population where I currently tutor and parents have access to tremendous medical and monetary resources. Likewise, I believe that many people choose ADD diagnoses to classify poor children into special ED [see Washington, DC's astronomically high special ed budget] when environmental factors such as cold schools with crumbling facilities may be the distracting elements that provoke students to ADD like symptoms. A passing mention of pseudo-ADD is not adequate to address some of the consequences of over diagnosis and I wish he had done more outside research on ADD in schools and ADD in society. I felt most of his research was reporting on what was going on in his successful private practice. Not everyone doing the diagnosing is an ADD expert like this author and not everyone will have access to an ADD expert with this author's qualifications. What do we do in those circumstances, when you are an underemployed or unemployed parent, you check this book out of the library, and you are disheartened that this book seems to be written for an audience who has the insurance or the money to seek all available help for the child. Many times he goes out of his way to show that many of his case studies came from good homes. What happens when ADD symptoms appear in a child or adult who comes from a more damaging background?
I am thankful for the author for writing this book and my friend for recommending this book. I learned a lot from this and I would give this my unqualified recommendation for anyone interested in this frustrating illness.
[4 stars]
SD
Rating: 
Summary: A must read for anyone with ADD
Review: This was the best writing on the subject of ADD for both children and adults. Well written in layman terms. The book showed me that I am not stupid but do have a learning disability that I have been suffering with for 50 years. Now that I know, I am able to retrain my life.
Rating:
Summary: A REALLY COMPLETE Book on ADD!!!
Review: I was so glad to have found this book, written by a doctor, who himself, has ADD. Not only does he explain it really well, but he goes through all of the possible other diagnoses that can be confused, or mixed up with, ADD. He discusses all medical AND non-medical strategies to treat ADD, and winds up with the precise information to gather together before going to a doctor, to make your visit more productive. The writing style is comfortable, and easy to read, with many true-life examples of various people.
I have a daughter who I am now sure has ADD, and NOW I finally know how to go about helping her! If you, or anyone in your family, has ADD, or even SUSPECT that they do, this is DEFINITELY the book for you. I cannot imagine that there is any better, or more complete, book out there on this problem.
Rating:
Summary: Michael from Ontario, Canada
Review: Less than a year ago, having been diagnosed as being bipolar(3 years ago), my pychiatrist suggested to read this book titled "driven to distraction" (seeing how I have only read maybe 5 complete books in my life). I have had personal trouble with my wife and daughter over the years saying what ever came to mind not taking into account the persons feeling etc. and not realizing why I did the things I did. The first thing was a chill going through my entire body and tears of joy, sadness, and anger with racing thoughts persisting after reading and completing this book, I realized why I did and said the things I did as anyone with ADHD can relate. After finding out for myself being add, I now know my father and mother have the symtoms of add. I hope commenting has helped others with similar situations because knowing what I now know today has changed my life.
Rating:
Summary: ADD stinks - This Book Helps!
Review: I hate ADD. I am the mother of a great son who is afflicted with ADD and I spent years pulling my hair out looking for help. A loving and gifted therapist handed me this book along with "The Child Whisperer" by Matt Pasquinilli. "Driven to Distraction" is a through and powerful look at what happens in the life of a person with ADD and those who care for and love him/her. "The Child Whisperer" is way different but offers simple help for this conplicated condition. I suggest both books for anyone looking for ADD relief.
Rating: 
Summary: Flowery nonsense
Review: If you've already been down the typical path with your child, namely: (1) Child has a problem in school, (2) Child fidgets in front of school "psychologist," (3) Referred to local pediatric physician, (4) received script for psychostimulants, and (5) started giving child the drugs, you'll like this book. It will make you feel good about yourself, your parenting style, and your decision.At least give yourself the chance to see the other side of the story. You only have one child - read the book "Unraveling the ADD/ADHD Fiasco" by David B. Stein, Ph.D. If you are still convinced that the drug route is the way to go, follow the "1-2-3 Magic" types of parenting techniques (or have a "family meeting" and solicit input from your little child who has no tools to solve this problem), and when that doesn't work, administer the drugs. OK - I've probably made some folks angry, and I'll concede that there are a relatively small percentage of children and adults that suffer from disorders (with symptoms like those attributed to ADD/ADHD) that are improved through these drugs, including Ritalin. But, keep in mind that in some schools 50% of the male childern are "ADHD" diagnosed and on Ritalin or similar drugs. No one in their right mind could possibly believe that 50% of children have something called ADD/ADHD that requires treatment with Schedule 2 drugs. I'm not writing for those few percent that maybe have a real disease that is helped by drugs. I'm writing for the 95% of children who are on Ritalin and don't need to be. This book will lead you in a direction that your child doesn't necessarily need to go. By the way, the book never mentions that Ritalin and similar medicines are "Schedule II" drugs, or what these are. As a parent, I hope you'll ask your doctor - or better still - do your own research on what Ritalin does in the body and its addictive and abuse potential. Rebut this information if you wish, but I didn't see anything in this book expressing outrage over 33 - 50% of little children being forced to take addictive drugs because some counseler, teacher, parent and doctor didn't want to do some hard work and rule out that the child's behavior can possibly be remedied by something other than drugs.
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: I wish I'd read this years ago!
Review: Whether you have ADD or know someone who has, reading this book is a must. The stories about fellow ADD'ers were fantastic, the summary of research into biological causes of ADD was invaluable, as was the history of ADD research. The tips for dealing with ADD, especially regarding relationships, were right on the mark. The other tips came as a reality check; no, there aren't any magic tricks to make ADD go away and yes, I really do have to use all the organizers I've bought! My boyfriend and I were both diagnosed with ADD 5 years ago. Not much of the info was new to us but it helped clarify things about ADD that we didn't even realize we (really) needed clarified! Read this book.
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