Rating: 
Summary: Healing ADD-an excellent book by Dr Amen
Review: I don't believe the so-called review of this book by a psychiatrist. How many psychiatrists write like that? Not capitalizing "I" for instance, I just don't buy that reviewer! This is an excellent book! I am a pharmacist with 2 out of my 3 children having ADHD. The different descriptions of children with ADHD and the brain scans that are in this book are an excellent help in understanding ADHD. ADHD is very real, with a dopamine connection (not enough of it making it to the receptor) and it is as real as someone needing glasses or a hearing aid, etc. People are doing a great disservice to their children if they don't treat this very real medical condition. You wouldn't deny your child glasses if needed, well please don't deny them the proper medication to help them study and do well in school and home. This book really helps the understanding of this condition, and Dr. Amen is very respected in this field.
Rating:
Summary: A Very Useful Book for Medical Practitioners and ADD Folks
Review: "Healing ADD" is a very similar book to Dr. Amen's earlier work "Change your Brain, Change your Life." Both books use brain scans as a method of diagnosis. Dr. Amen is careful to point out that "ADD" is actually quite rare and unusual, and that is has become a kind of popular "fad" self-diagnosis for ordinary forgetfulness and absentminded behaviour. Dr. Amen shows how people who are diagnosed as "ADD" or "ADHD" actually may have very different organic causes for these behaviours. Since different parts of the brain are affected to create one of these six outcomes (all of which are lumped together as "ADD"), different methods of treatment are required to make an "ADD" person operate more effectively. Dr. Amen's latest book deals not only with case studies and explaining how each of the six "ADD" forms manifest themselves in the brain, but he offers strategies to compensate. His suggested method of interaction is holistic: exercise, drugs, behaviour modification, and diet. This book deals mostly with adults. Most other material on ADD is catered to youth, even though ADD is a permanent condition. In the back of the book is a listing of specialists who offer the brain scanning method of diagnosis used by Dr. Amen. My only criticisms of the book are that too much material is duplicated from "Change your Brain, Change your Life," and I dislike the title. ADD is not an "illness" needing to be healed. It is simply a type of brain that works differently from the majority of folks, with both plusses and minuses. I found this an interesting and useful book. I have read much on the subject and liked this book best of all.
Rating: 
Summary: I don't trust this guy
Review: I have no doubt that Dr. Amen has a lot of experience with SPECT scans, and ADD. I worry that his conclusions haven't been reproduced or confirmed indepedently outside his laboratory, which makes me highly skeptical of his results, and generalizations. Therefore, as the SPECT identifications are the selling point of his book, I can't recommend it. The title, should also give anyone who has studied ADD pause, as ADD isn't really something that can be "healed", although it can be substantially mitigated. It strikes me as very a "huckster" or "snake oil salesmen" kind of title. In a world with so many charlatans and unethical companies trying to fool people or exaggerate claims to make a buck, it is disturbing to see a medical doctor disregard the reproducibility demanded by the scientific method. The general advice given in the book is good, but by no means unique or exceptional, by comparison. I would recommend Driven to Distraction to those who are looking for more scientifically sound information and advice regarding ADD, and it's treatment.
Rating:
Summary: Quite Useful
Review: I was diagnosed with ADD about six months ago. By now, I have checked out more than twenty books on the subject from local libraries. As others have mentioned Amen's main idea is that using SPECT imaging, he can tell what areas of the brain are having problems and based on his own experience, he recommends different Drugs, supplements and therapies including coaching, EEG neuro-feedback and alike depending on the particular area. My main problem initially with the book was that reading the behavioral symptoms noted for his "discovered" six sub-categories of ADHD, it seemed like I had five of them! This was a bit hoaky to me. It also seemed that Dr Amen had never bothered publish ANY of his research. Reading posts on the web I found more people who had gotten "possible" four or five sub-categories by taking his online test. Reading the book carefully a few months later, I realized that he indeed admits that many people may have combinations of these subtypes. As far as publishing the work, I can see how many people like Amen may be totally frustrated trying to fund and execute their double-blind tests and push their ideas thru the academic reviewers. Old school academia will not let totally different ideas thru and that is why the research is usually stuck: They stick too much to the literature. I have experience this myself and my field is physics! The book, aside from this main theory, contains much useful information on various alternative approaches and strategies. After trying every Adderal, Ritalin, Dexedrine, Cylert, Celexa (SSRI) and Welbutrin, I have decided to try EEG biofeedback training at home (see phil bate's website for EEG machine rentals) and later visiting Amen's satellite clinic in New Port Beach. A few thousand dollars, even as an experiment would be nothing compared to all the pain and suffering I endure for seven years that it took me to get my doctorate at Caltech. My psychiatrist, although open to Amen and EEG nuero-feedback, referred me to Professor Walid Shakim at UCLA, "THE" local scientist on ADHD. He charges over $1500 for the diagnosis only. I spoke with him on the phone (I introduce myself as Dr "last name" on my messages). As a researcher myself, I found him WAY too old school and anti-anything-non-stimulant. He rejected SPECT or EEG as anything useful. I find Dr Amen much more open in comparison if less academic and say artistic. I have spoken to a psychologist who had had great experience with Amen's clinic for her family member and know one psychiatrist in the area who has ADHD and is a big follower of Dr Amen. As I always say, a few big reliable data points near home are worth much more than a thousand by some god-knows-who's data. I have seen too many researchers in physics confirming somebody's junk data over and over. Contrary to the accepted belief, fads, trends and mass herding is as common in academia as it is in the normal population. IMHO. If Amen's does not work, at least I have tried it and will write about it. I'll try other approaches will do the same thing.
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Summary: hargray
Review: I was the terror of the neighborhood, failed grade 1,
dropped out of high school after grade 10, then after the
army, 3 teachers talked me into returning to school. A
VERY difficult journey began - hard to concentrate, memory
problems, hyperactivity, and etc. It took a LOT of help,
but ultimately I received a BA, MEd, and Ph.D. I became a
chief of psychology in a psychiatric hospital, teacher,
therapist -- and then at 46 years of age, I was diagnosed
with ADHD. Suddenly, "everything" made sense, as the
disorder was 'classic' to how I had behaved, thought,
struggled with relationships, and etc. MEDICATIONS
comletely turned MY life around (as my wife, friends, and
work associates would affirm) - they don't work for everyone,
but for me, it was like a miracle from heaven. Of course, the
anti-medication zealots will not wish to believe this, but
my experience is like that of so many others I have seen IN MY
PRACTICE AS A PSYCHOLOGIST. When medications work, they
really do a great job. When they don't, the experience can
be very disappointing, and anger can run high. I also
conducted over 500, 1-day seminars in almost every state in
the USA, and provinces in Canada (this took place over a
14 year period). Having said all of this - the absolute
best book in the field, based on my having read scores of books,
articles, and my experiences factored in, is Dr. Amen's book!!!
I have, in fact, cleared out about 80% of all the AD/HD
literature I had, and Dr. Amen's book remains my favorite.
It is the ONLY book I now recommend to individuals who ask
for my opinion, as a psychologist WITH ADHD.
Rating:
Summary: Healing ADD
Review: Healing ADD is a landmark book that every counselor, psycholgist, psychiatrist,and pastor will want to have. More importantly if you struggle with ADD or know someone who does this book is a must read. I and the therapists who are associated with me have referred over 600 people in the last four years for SPECT Brain Imaging Scans. As a psychotherapist I have found Dr. Amen's work to be truly a landmark in the field of psychiatry, psychology and medicine in general. "Healing ADD" helps the reader to identify which of the six types of ADD that they have, and then the practical steps to take for treatment. An alarming number of people are medically mismanaged when it comes to ADD treatment, and the work that Dr. Amen has done through over 10,000 SPECT Brain Imaging Scans has resulted in a system of diagnosis and medication management that brings more precision to the care of the ADD patient.So many of the horror stories and bad press that Ritalin is given are due to inaccurate diagnosis. Ritalin or another stimulant will be prescribed when another system of the brain needs to be treated first before a stimulant is given. The checklists that are provided in Dr.Amen's book will give the reader a guide as to whether the counselor or physcian they are working with is headed in the right direction with the treatment program they design. What is also exciting about this work is how it educates and empowers the lay person to truly be in charge of their care, and be able to ask their therapist, or physcian the needed questions to make sure they are getting the most up to date care and treatment possible. This is a book that the lay person and professional will benefit from. If you are being treated for ADD you might want to purchase a copy for your doctor. Earl R. Henslin Psy.D., B.C.E.T.S. Board Certified Expert in Traumatic Stress Diplomate in the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress
Rating:
Summary: A gold mine of information
Review: This book is the most comprehensive source of information on ADD available. The basis of the treatment techniques, SPECT scans, is also revolutionary in its approach and nearly self-evident. This approach of examining both patients' histories and SPECT scans at the same time is obviously an effective means of targeting not only the specific type of ADD (Dr. Amen has categorized 6 types) but also recognizing other disorders that may cause confusion about the ultimate diagnosis. His work is the tip of the iceberg in diagnosing and finding successful treatments for ADD, anxiety, depression, violent behaivors, Alzeheimer's, obsessive disorders, manic disorders, head-injury related disorders, substance abuse disorders, dementia, and many other brain-related disorders. It is loaded with information. Many professionals would do well to not only ready but study the information. This book can be considered a companion to "Change Your Brain, Change Your Life."
Rating:
Summary: Focus on ADD for parents
Review: Dr.Amen's research has brought us to a new understanding and hope for children with ADD. Every parent who reads this book realizes what their options and alternatives are to healing and overcomming this condition. After experiencing much ignorance on this subject I am very grateful to those medical pioneers having the courage to practice good medicine.
Rating: 
Summary: I got this for my dad...
Review: And he is as hyper as ever... being a "ring of fire" type. But... this is the problem... if someone has that severe of ADD, how can you make them sit down and read this book... I don't know, it didn't seem to motivate him or anything, but, it might work for some people.
Rating:
Summary: Dr. Amen's book helped change my (daughter's) life!!!
Review: My daughter will be eleven this month. About a year ago, I found this book quite by accident while browsing ADD topics on MSN. I had had continuous school problems with my daughter since kindergarten. Before that, I knew she was different from other kids. From kindergarten through 4th grade I ran from doctor to doctor trying to figure out what was wrong. I was introduced to ADD-ADHD at the age of 5-6. From there after an MRI and trips Children's Hospital - we had different maybe diagnosis' that ranged from a non-verbal learning disability to asperger's disorder. By 4th grade I was at my whit's end. A terrible year in school!! Then one day I found this book. It described my daughter to a tee!! OVERFOCUSED ADD - TYPE 3!!!! She could not help herself - she could not help being difficult!! Now let me mention that my daughter had already been on several different ADHD medications since kindergarten - and she was still having these problems!! I then took her to a PHD level Psychologist who did a full Neuro-pysch and behaviorial evaluation on my daughter who recommended a medicine - the same medicine that Dr. Amen used on one of his "hopeless" patients. "Risperdal" An anti-psychotic medication that works wonders on this type of ADD. It does not mean that the person is psychotic - just works wonders on this type of Overfocused ADD. I swear - you could see the change in my daughter within a week!!! We could never have a conversation - because something else was always pulling her away after less than 2 sentences. She could not transition - I had to drag her from one place to another. She was always fixated on things. TV - cats - rocks - bugs -gems - gliter- etc. She had no social skills. She sat like an aborigine! She ate like an animal. She was a bull in a china shop!! She was distructive. She broke all her toys. Her room was like a tornado ripped it up every night. She ruined her clothes. She wrecked the furniture........ I was at my whit's end...I was so tired of explaining.......Then exactly 6 months ago - Risperdal changed my daughter's life. Within a week we could see a change. She has done a complete turnaround in school. She also takes Adderall as a stimulant to calm the hyperactivity. With the help of special ed classes to help her "catch up" in all the areas that she missed while being overfocused, she is a different, and almost "normal" 10-11 year old. I swear she got all As & Bs this semester and all satisfactories in conduct. This is the first year in her life that we have truly been happy. I feel that if I hadn't found this book on the internet - that I would still be searching. I recommend this book as the one true source of ADHD. Much better than "driven to distraction". Thank you Dr. Amen!!! I swear on my daughter that this is the truth!!!
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