Fast Minds: How to Thrive If You Have ADHD

by Craig Surman, Tim Bilkey, Karen Weintraub

FAST MINDS is an acronym for common symptoms that are often seen in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Millions of adults have ADHD or some of its traits, but they are under-recognized, under-treated, and often under-supported. 

This book empowers people with ADHD, or some of its characteristics, to adapt and thrive. By working through the program in this book, you will develop personalized strategies to take control of your life.

Forgetful. Achieving below potential. Stuck in a rut. Time challenged.

Motivationally challenged. Impulsive. Novelty seeking. Distractible. Scattered.

If any or all of these symptoms are making it difficult for you—or someone you know—to live life to the fullest, then the clinically proven, cutting-edge program in this book will help you understand your struggles and challenges. Whether you have been diagnosed with ADHD, think you may have it, or just exhibit many of these traits, FAST MINDS will help

-Figure out what isn’t working in your life, and the keys to fixing it.
-Build personalized strategies for managing your time, tasks, and relationships.
-Learn organizational habits that work for you.
-Stop communicating poorly, making impulsive choices and taking pointless risks.
-Eliminate negative thinking patterns that waste your mental energy.
-Create environments that support your challenges.
-Make the most of both medical and nonmedical resources (medication, coaching, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, mindfulness, support groups, lifestyle change).

With inspiring stories of real people who have adapted and thrived using the methods in this book, FAST MINDS will help you create the kind of life you want to live.

Genres: Adhd, Psychology, Self Help, Nonfiction, Mental Health, Health, Personal Development

352 pages, Hardcover

First published February 5, 2013

Reviews

[Jodi Ralston · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gets ADD people. It understands how we work, why certain techniques don't, yet it knows we are all different and that we need to get creative with our solutions.

This book includes check lists to find out what type of ADD person you are, work sheets, tips, real life cases, science--basically a little bit of everything to make a difference in the ADD person's life. It even tries to help others understand and help the ADD person in their lives.

I will definitely reread this book and work through the worksheets and advice, and I expect results--in fact, I'm already seeing some.

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

Doesn't everyone have ADHD? I read this because I hit a very disorganized time in my life. I walk into a room with good intentions only to be distracted by another task at hand; left water boiling on the stove while I took a shower; screamed with anxiety at the plethora of incoming e-mails. I thought this book would give me advice on how to keep myself on track. It does deliver but it also asks some poignant questions for the reader to determine if they are, as they say, attention-challenged. I am not a fan of the over-diagnosed condition, but according to this book, I have it. All this time and I thought I was just absent minded and prone to deep thinking. I might as well get some ritalin. Anyway, there is some good advice for those who are feeling a little scattered-brain. It is slightly arduous to read encouraging it's already doomed audience's minds to wander, or put the book down and brew some tea, take out the trash and change the oil in their car. Kidding aside, it is a helpful book that provides some answers and practical suggestions.

[Beaumont · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wish I’d read this years ago

Easy to read. Informative. Case studies highlighting people I can relate to. I resisted my diagnosis for years because I’m not like the stereotypes. Thankfully an understanding therapist worked with me in other ways until I had my aha moment. This book will help you find your spot in the ADHD world and renew your self worth.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've recently become close to someone with ADHD but I'm pretty unfamiliar with the condition, so this book really helped me. I now have a better understanding of what ADHD is neurologically, which of my partner's behaviors are attributable to ADHD vs being unrelated personality quirks, and what types of things are likely to help with managing various symptoms. I found this book to be an easy read and appreciated that it steered clear of pseudoscientific claims, which so many self-help-type books are riddled with.

I picked Fast Minds over a bunch of other books on ADHD because it was the only one without Amazon reviews saying that it horribly misunderstood or misrepresented ADHD, and as far as I can tell it's lived up to that - it's rarely preachy and doesn't prescribe one-size-fits-all, cure-all solutions. It just lays out the reality of living with ADHD and draws on the authors' extensive experience helping people with ADHD thrive in the world.

I'll hold off on giving a strong recommendation until I've worked through the exercises with my partner, since I can't say confidently whether or not they'll actually be helpful. Overall though I'm glad I read this book, and would recommend it to other people who are in a similar situation to me (i.e. new to dating someone with ADHD).

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

So very helpful and user friendly. I learned things I didn't know before, which is the main purpose of reading a self-help book!

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is written by KC's doctor, Craig Surman, and is one of the best books I've read on ADHD. He and his coauthor have done extensive research on the topic - mostly adult ADHD and differences in brain function.
They present a VERY clear, detailed explanation of how a "fast mind" works. Then they offer strategies for dealing with your (or someone you love) shortcomings. The book is not at all preachy, nor does it offer a one size fits all solution.

[Miles · Rating 3 out of 5]

could have been 100 pages instead

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Starts slow but overall a great book that lays out what it means to thrive as an adult with or without ADHD. It helps with habit formation, explains different types of treatment, and provides an easy to work through work book. Overall I'd recommend it for Adults who have ADHD or parents raising children with ADHD who would like a longer view of what life might look like for their children later.

[Dan Stern · Rating 4 out of 5]

FAST: Forgetful. Achieving below potential. Stuck in a rut. Time challenged.
MINDS: Motivationally challenged. Impulsive. Novelty seeking. Distractible. Scattered.

My reaction: "Wow, this is my life. Exactly. Every single letter." I vaguely remembered the symptoms of ADD/ADHD but it had been years since I had learned what they were. To see them in this way - your life described in an acronym - was, however, startling.

The very fact that I read an entire 350-page book in the course of several days is actually the highest praise I can give (99% of books are never even half-finished in my world). The authors are engaging and you immediately know that THEY know what your life is like and the problems you have (as opposed to a dry 'How to fix your ADHD' textbook). While most self-help authors have a novel "key" that they've "discovered" to "cure" your problem, these authors offer multiple pragmatic remedies and techniques for you to try and choose, all based on the latest studies of ADHD patients. This is a thorough, comprehensive guide to help you, not a brief overview of ADHD nor a gimmicky pop psychology book.

Some techniques seem overly simple, but in the limited practice I've had, seem quite effective: trying to simply control your thinking patterns, for example. An ADHD mind is like a wild pony in many ways and this one technique alone seems to help tame that pony. Another technique I liked was organizational habits for the ADHD mind. There are dozens more.

There is a steady inspirational tone throughout the book, with success stories of people whose lives were changed with these techniques. If your life is anything like mine (F.A.S.T. M.I.N.D.S.), I strongly encourage you to read this book. While there is no guarantee that you (or I) will stay focused long enough to allow these techniques to work, it is pretty much a certainty our lives won't change if we don't give it a try.

[Cris Favero · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an excellent resource in my journey to understand and discover ADHD. I read this book from a mental place where I had seen a lot of circumstantial evidence that I may have been suffering from undiagnosed ADHD. This book helped me to understand how it presents in different people along with learn what components are affected by various approaches.

They start the book out laying out their case and explicitly saying they believe that medication will improve most people with ADHD live’s but in an effort to demonstrate that it should not be taken lightly and that there are many other approaches they spent many chapters explaining those alternatives before addressing the medication.

The one negative I noticed was that chapters were often drawn out and repetitive, which personally I think serves to reduce its readability for everyone not just those with short attention spans like their target demographic.

This book gave me the confidence to seek medical attention after finishing it to address my issues and work towards an improved version of myself.

[Johnathan McDonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since being diagnosed late in life with severe ADHD, I’ve read a lot of books on the condition. This was one of the best.

The book accurately described so many of the (often debilitating) symptoms of ADHD, showing a keen sense of empathy. The authors offer a plethora of helpful, practical strategies for coping and overcoming—strategies I can see myself implementing going forward.

The only downsides to this book, and they are small in nature, were: it sometimes bordered on being repetitive; and, it was sometimes a bit grating to see the forced and frequent use of the term “FAST MINDS”.

Overall, however, this is a tremendous book, and I can’t recommend it enough for those who have, or know someone with, ADHD.

[David Meldrum · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an adult with a new ADHD diagnosis, I’m the person this book was designed for. I’m so thankful for the thoughtful friend who lent it to me. It’s informative, practical and a bearer of hope. It offers practical exercises and examples to help you understand how ADHD uniquely affects you as an individual, providing solutions without ever coming across as ‘you MUST do THIS’. I’m sure those in relationships with adults with ADHD would also find this helpful in terms of understanding- it certainly gave me a language to help explain things to my wife. Unreservedly recommended.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing book! I was recently diagnosed with adult ADHD and didn't really believe it until I read this. Lots of helpful info -- but, actually, too much; thus the 4 rather than 5 star review -- I screwed up my planning software because I tried to implement all the solutions at once, and seeing as how this was a book for people with ADHD, you'd think they'd have realize that a big solutions dump without recommendations on how to implement them was a bad idea.

[Suzanne Moses · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good, though a bit repetitive in spots. Helpful to understanding how the minds of some friends and family work.

[Helen Palmer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ironically this book was filled with information and some practical guides but didn’t make me want to actively participate in any of them.

[Mel Kronk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book. Its only downfall is a massive thick book for people with ADHD to read…. Needless to say, the actual reading part was as scattered as a fast mind is. Good content. Just a long read.

[Estela · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was such a find for me. I am 63 years old and have begun to suspect that I may have ADHD in the past year or so. Reading this book convinces me that I may very well have it. The book breaks things down into bite-size revelations. The authors use case studies to highlight the different ways that FAST MINDS may be affecting your life. FAST MINDS is an anacronym for the many symptoms of ADHD. After taking you through the process of reviewing past incidences that may reflect these symptoms in your life, the book offers various suggestions of what might make you more productive in your life. They discuss medications, both how it can help some people and how it may not be the answer for others. They discuss habit creating ways. They also have passages throughout the book for family members or friends to help them understand how they can be of help to those with FAST MINDS. Overall, I found this book to be extremely helpful and I hope to begin incorporating many of its suggestions in my daily life.

[Nadima El-khalafawi · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a relief to read this book to see that so many others suffer from the same sort of traits that I do. It has also encouraged me to go for ADHD testing...we will see what the results bring forth. Lots of helpful strategies suggested and advice to help conquer some of these problems whether you have ADHD or just quite a few of the traits.
It also made me feel good to see that I have already started using a lot of these strategies on my own to deal with some of my organizational problems. I have known my whole life that I am 'different' but never quite knew why. Now I feel more confident that my brain is just wired a bit differently to others and I need to find different ways of completing tasks that may be easy for others and learn some strategies to help me deal with social situations.
I now feel like there is light at the end of the tunnel.

[Carlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great overview of challenges and strategies for coping with symptoms related to ADHD. I liked this especially because it focuses on the presentation of challenges, rather than focusing on a diagnosis. Useful resources are included with abundance, and helpful guides for someone interested in gauging their degree of challenges and how/where to seek support. A useful self-help guide for people who are looking for concrete strategies to overcome their challenges with ADHD. Also helpful for parents, spouses and others who want to help their loved ones with ADHD. Specific strategies and tools include prescription stimulants, alternative diets, different types of therapies, organizational tools, and self-awareness.

Available at Durango Library!

[Bryan Myers · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's hard to say whether a lot of these symptoms apply to me, or if the list of symptoms is just vague enough to qualify anyone who suspects they might have ADHD.
It's an interesting look at ADHD and many of the anecdotes I could relate to on a strangely personal level. In terms of answers or solutions there are some, but like all self-improvement, you kind of know what the work is but getting yourself to actually do it is the challenge. This at least confirms that finding ways to get better organized, eating right, exercising, and possibly going to the doctor could clear up a lot of issues with procrastination, motivation, disorganization, and so on.
Worth reading if you don't feel particularly productive.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

The best thing I can say about this book is that it's very easy to read if you have a short attention span! I mostly went through it in few-minute chunks in between other tasks.

Unfortunately, I didn't find too much useful information. While I appreciate the attitude of "different approaches work for different people" the resulting concrete advice was rather broad and vague.

This may be useful to someone who's mostly unfamiliar with ADHD and related traits, or for someone who's never read or thought about different organizational systems or self-improvement strategies. However, I was hoping for a fresh perspective or at least a few new tips I've never tried before, and I was disappointed.

[Illkerr · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was a letdown. It describes the condition well enough (and at times ad nauseam), but it fails to present actionable advice. Most of the suggestions in the book go something like: You could try this or that, nobody knows what will help you, and even if something is helpful now you will get bored and it will stop working anyway so go figure... Even this could be insightful if the suggestions weren't so obvious and superficial. The book also suffers from over-relying on describing the "real-life" experiences of some artificial persons and turning simple points into a lengthy moral-of-the-story type of deal.

[Amanda Tomanek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Repetitive at times but divided into small enough chapter chunks to be easily picked up and put down, I found this book incredibly helpful ahead of "officially" being diagnosed as an adult with ADHD. The activities in the book helped me not only cope until I could get treatment but also helped me organize my notes ahead of meeting with a mental health professional. I think this would be most helpful for people who suspect they have ADHD but aren't sure, or for someone whose loved one was recently diagnosed.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a lot of great information in this book. The checklists and worksheets were/are very useful. However, I wish Craig Surman would come out with a workbook with just that content. I would totally buy that. I just couldn't get through the text in this book. I wanted to understand the brain differences, I know that knowledge would be helpful, but I just couldn't access the information the way it was presented. Take that for what it is worth.

[Trdat III · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very good, in the form that it focuses on your perception of things, and provides a good start to combating lack of confidence, attention, and perceived ADD and ADHD symptoms. It uses cognitive behavioural therapy as well to guide you to overcoming these issues, and showing you can live and thrive despite them. Ultimately, faith and God is the only thing that will completely heal from ADD/ADHD.

[Gareth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book about developing strategies for living with ADHD and similar conditions. It's helpful, but somewhat scattershot -- a lot of the advice is somewhat obvious and surface-level, and there's a fair amount of hand-waving "explore and find what works for you in this area". I think it could have been more productive to do some deeper dives into the nuts and bolts of the systems that actually did work for real people and then discuss how you might modify them. Still a good general overview, though.

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read with some good tips and tricks that most high-functioning adult ADDers have probably already worked out for themselves. May be more help to the newly diagnosed, or those wishing to better understand a loved one with ADD. I was not a fan of the assumption that everyone with ADD would choose to medicate.

[Mark Sutherland · Rating 4 out of 5]

A toolkit for coping with ADHD like symptoms

A great overview of the challenges that face those with adhd or share many of the traits and the tools, practices and techniques that can be used to manage them. A useful companion for more traditional productivity systems which understandably assume the reader doesn't have to cope with these issues.

[LibrisNaEx · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jako člověk, který se o své ADHD aktivně zajímá poslední rok , jsem v knize nenašla moc nového. Na druhou stranu tam bylo hodně věcí, se kterými pravděpodobně budu mít problém v budoucnu (v práci) a to se ke knize ráda vrátím.
Myslím, že kniha je skvělá pro ty, co byli poprvé diagnostikováni v dospělosti a potřebují základ, od které se odrazit.

[Niqui Stanforth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting in its inclusive approach to ADHD. It discusses some good strategies to counter traits that hold people back and impact their lives.
It was a bit too workbookish for me, which is probably an unfair criticism, since I am not a big fan of self help books. I would rather just have the information.