Scattered Minds: Hope and Help for Adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

by Lenard A. Adler, Mari Florence

A practical, authoritative book on an increasingly talked-about condition that affects more than 8 million American adults.

Dr. Lenard Adler, director of the Adult ADHD Program at New York University School of Medicine, presents the latest findings on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. In Scattered Minds, he reveals hidden warning signs, debunks common misconceptions, and offers information on obtaining an accurate diagnosis, along with treatment options that include cutting-edge medications and proven coping strategies. Includes a screening quiz.

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

194 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 31, 2006

About the author

Lenard Adler, M.D., is director of the Adult ADHD Program at New York University, where he is also an associate professor of psychiatry and neurology.

He has appeared on 60 Minutes and the Today show, as well as in The New York Times, USA Today, U.S. News & World Report, and elsewhere, discussing his treatment methods for adults with ADHD.

Reviews

[Dana Arbelaez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This pointed me in a good starting direction. A lot of broad, generalized information in this book, and at age (nearly) 31, I am finally taking my diagnosis of Adult ADHD seriously.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

A hopeful boon on a mental disorder that afflicts 5-10% of Americans. Actionable ways to look at this illness combined with recent scientific theory make this a worthwhile add to the psychological lieterature.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Examining the cause of ADD in a developmental context, the factors present within the indivdual, family- environment (psychologically, emotionally, institutionally). The plasticity of the trait and cautions to not to glorify or overgeneralize but to work with it. Sociological and epigenetic explanations for the increase in prevalence of diagnosis and treatment. What we can say about ADD- hyperactivity, hyperfocus, impulsivity. Lives lived physically, mentally disorganized, out of balance. Common experiences Incitement to have hope and introduce supports- therapy, the effort to organize your place, to address self esteem, habits in food, sleep. An attitude of self parenting.

[Katie Gaulke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful, well-organized overview

This book provides a great overview of how adhd functions, is diagnosed and various treatment options along with information on how the medications work or may interact based on your manifestation of ADD/ADHD. It was also uplifting and encouraging. I especially appreciated the inclusion of story-based clinical case studies, which helped me understand in a more nuanced way the ADHD presents and feels to a specific person.

That being said the book didn’t go particularly in depth about many things. I would look somewhere else if you’re already quite familiar with ADD/ ADHD.

[Sini · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kirja olisi ollut varmaankin parempi englanniksi luettuna, sillä suomennos oli useassa kohdassa huonohko, mikä vaikeutti lukemista. Välillä lukijan piti mielessään täydentää lauseita puuttuvien sanojen vuoksi. Kirjassa toistettiin paljon jo kertaalleen sanottua, niin asiatietoa kuin vertauskuvia, vaikka sivumäärä oli pieni. Paikoitellen teksti paneutui hyvin syvällisesti joihinkin asioihin, kuten aivojen rakenteeseen ja toimintaan, mikä tuntui sivuraiteille hyppäämiseltä tai täytesanoilta.

Tästä teoksesta sai kuitenkin peruskäsityksen ADHD:sta aikuisilla. Mukana oli myös ADHD-testejä omien mahdollisten ADHD-piirteiden kartoitusta varten.

[Autumn]

I found this to be a good book. It's very basic, but had some of the science/neurology of ADHD, which is what I was looking for in a book. So it doesn't just list things that can help, but explains why they help. After reading A Cure for Darkness, I would love a more in-depth book, but this is a satisfactory, and somewhat helpful, beginning.

[Sarah Milner · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really good baseline, if a little old at this point … medicine updates too fast to rely on a 15 year old book, but this is a great starting point.

[Camilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is an excellent starting book for somebody new to researching ADHD. It covers a range of topics such as what ADHD is, how your brain functions because of it, different types of medication and the effects they have, alternative practices to helping stave off the symptoms ADHD, and different skill building approaches such as cognitive therapy or ADHD coaching.


Personally I want more information on my inattentive ADHD and methods/tips to help me be more productive and live a more fulfilling life. But I'm glad I read this book, it's very informative and only took me a few days to read. It's laid out in a very organized manner and doesn't get too heavy into the mundane details of anything.


Again I would recommend this as a starting point for people wanting to know more about how ADHD affects the brain and the people with it.


Also! I just remembered I read a fantastic short guide on inattentive ADHD recently from my kindle app, and I really really really recommend that book! It's called Lifting the Fog by Michael Carr. It's a pretty short and easy read.

http://www.amazon.com/Lifting-Fog-spe...

[The Angry Lawn Gnome · Rating 3 out of 5]

I finished this book earlier today, and I would be hard pressed to point to anything remotely unique about it. Seems like he's treading the same old ground as the Hallowell posse, which of course doesn't make it wrong, it simply makes it rather forgettable. He did make an effort to keep the technical discourse on the brain and its parts to a minimum, and for that I commend him. If there's any mention anywhere that some of the drugs prescribed as treatment of ADHD can have some funky side effects, I don't remember it. For that I tsk, tsk him. Might be a good introductory text to the whole ADHD business, and since I've read so many of them I'm not sure I'm rendering a fair judgment.

Not sure three stars is really warranted, but not sure they aren't, either. What I know is not warranted is a review any longer than this one...outta here

[Kirsten stracke · Rating 4 out of 5]

A concise treatment of adult ADHD - I find ADHD fascinating and found that the author made a good case for the reasons that getting a diagnosis can be helpful, although that really amounted to medication, when many adult ADHD patients have had to develop coping skills themselves. I would have appreciated a more in-depth look at the coping skills developed and recommended, but maybe that wasn't in the scope of this book.

[Caerol · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a great book for someone who wants to know about ADD and not wallow in medical terms. The author use easy to understand terms. The real-life cases also help in understanding what it was like to have ADD every single day, until of course medication is implemented. It also showcase the importance of getting help early on. The title is eye catching; the content is life changing.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very detailed and cogent review of the topic. I have read several books in the last few months, this is not my favourite but it is well written, interesting and clearly uses facts to back up the informaton presented. It is a scholarly, albeit readable discussion of ADHD.

[Scurl]

page 7

[Coco · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book needs a lot of gravy. Beyond that, it is totally outdated considering the majority of the medical content pertains to neuroscience and was written in 2001.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was very informative and gave thorough medical information in plain english.

[Brandon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good overview of the symptoms and causes of ADD.

[Jason Verwey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good primer, but not a lot of new information if you're already picked up the other ADHD "classics"

[Janice]

mentioned in Boston Globe 8/2011; ordered from PPL 12/26/11

[Lori Johnstone]

Encouragement and good advice if you are a possible candidate for Adult ADHD. Screening test and then recommends getting a more comprehensive assessment from your doctor/psychiatrist.

[Cassadie Bouchie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think this book makes a lot of sense, it shows someone self diagnosis though, that I do not like about it, because self diagnosing is dangerous.

[Kari Olfert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick, easy read that can be used as a reference/starting point for someone who believes they may have ADHD. Clearly states what ADHD is and what it is not.

[Christopher Hurtado]

Scattered Minds: Hope and Help for Adults with ADHD by Lenard Adler (2006)