Answers to Distraction

by Edward M. Hallowell, John J. Ratey

In Driven to Distraction , Drs.  Hallowell and Ratey revealed why millions of  adults and children are chronic underachievers, caught  up in persistent problems in school, at work, and  at home. The cause is not lack of  self-discipline, but, rather, an inborn neurological condition,  Attention Deficit Disorder, or  ADD.

Answers To Distraction provides  practical solutions to the dilemmas of ADD. This  "user's guide" to ADD is presented in  question-and-answer format ideal for even the most  distractible reader. Each chapter covers a specific  aspect of ADD, such as ADD in women, ADD and  aggression, ADD and addiction, or ADD and work. The  authors provide advice for teachers on recognizing ADD  and helping students to cope, plus extraordinary  insights into the relationship difficulties caused  by ADD.

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

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Edward (Ned) Hallowell, M.D., is a child and adult psychiatrist, a NY Times bestselling author, a world-renowned speaker and a leading authority in the field of ADHD. He has authored twenty books including the 1994 ground-breaking New York Times best-seller on ADHD, Driven to Distraction. In aggregate, Dr. Hallowell's books have sold more than 2 million copies on various psychological topics including how to: raise children into happy adults, manage worry, develop focus, forgiveness, connecting on a deeper level and how to inspire the best from employees. His most recent book was his Memoir, Because I Come From A Crazy Family The Making Of A Psychiatrist. His next book, ADHD 2.0 releases on January 12, 2021. Pre-order your copy today.

He is the host of “Distraction,” a weekly podcast that offers insights, strategies and tactics for coping and thriving in this crazy-busy, 24/7 over-connected modern world.

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good companion to Delivered from Distraction. Points I took away that have helped our family:

- get a coach
- accept that ADHD is a lifelong disability
- modify the ADHD environment to help daily struggles

[Lauren Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Answers to Distraction is companion work to both Driven to Distraction and Delivered from Distraction. It's for ADD-abled readers in particular, giving its information in short statements organized by browsable chapters.

The different perspectives of the three books are invaluable, and none of the three entirely duplicate each other.

Lauren Williams, Owner, Casual Uncluttering LLC, Woodinville, WA USA

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

The authors of the New York Times bestseller Driven to Distraction provided an essential "user's guide" millions of Americans suffering from Attention Deficit Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD), their family members, and all concerned professionals. They both have ADHD themselves and that was very important to me. I trust the answers of people going through the same thing that I am who are also professionals than not.

This is in question-and-answer format type of book focusing on adults with ADHD. The authors had collected a lot of questions from adults with ADHD and organized them into themes. Some questions didn't apply to me so I just kept reading. I learned a lot and it gave me a lot of hope so I bought the book! I think it is GREAT to finally have help and ideas for adults and not just children with ADHD. For years many have believed that ADHD just "disappears" once a person turns 18 and that surely isn't true.

I highly recommend it.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

5* - life-changing!
This is the best book I've read (so far) for people with ADHD 😍

I picked up the 2010 revised edition at a second-hand bookshop for $12 and I would spend much much more for the amount of validation, science, wisdom, practical advice etc contained in this, especially given the format and how ADHD-friendly it is! (The format is answers to questions submitted to the authors, sorted into chapters based on topics. Some of the answers are a few lines, some are a few pages. The answers are based on scientific evidence, clinical practice, and also anecdotal evidence. The use of so many small sections helped sustain my attention, and I read the whole book in just a few sessions 💡)

I have made a couple of notes to check the more recent science for some of the answers, however overall this is a really approachable, useful guide and I highly recommend.

[Chris Gager · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm reading this a little at a time. Picked up at the town transfer station rescue trailer. I have self-diagnosed mysef with ADD. At age 65. It explains a lot. It's both discouraging and encouraging at the same time.

[Renee · Rating 1 out of 5]

Was unable to finish this book

[Glasdow Teacosy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic resource. I am so glad that I made it a goal to finish this book before reading others. It's not laid out with any sort of narrative. It is literally answers to a pile of cards Hallowell had collected from people asking him questions about ADHD. He organized them into themes and answered them one at a time. Theoretically, one is supposed to come to the book with a question, then search for the proper chapter. Since there were so many pearls of advice and wisdom to be discovered throughout the entire book, I chose to read it chapter by chapter, answer by answer. It was ADHD torture. I believe I spent 3 or 4 years reading this book.

However, the things I learned in the last big push made the book four stars for me. I can't say I'd recommend reading this book, but I do recommend referencing it. If you wish to understand ADHD better, this book is perfect for the task.

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

As the title dipicts, this book is written in question and answer format. Since it was written in 1994, some of the information is dated, such as the medications and there is a lot more known about add/adhd than when the book came out.
There is some very sound advice to some very honest questions. I wish that there would have been greater detail to the answers, but it is still a good source of info.

[Monica Rodgers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved the Q & A style of this book because there were some very specific questions I wanted answers to about ADD/ ADHD and many I had not thought to ask that I enjoyed reading. I also think this style of book is much easier to read for someone who has issues with the reading component of ADHD/ ADD.

[Ellie Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insightful read on ADD and ADHD that helps to put things in perspective. The strategies provided for working with children (and adults) who have ADD and ADHD are simple and straightforward, but commonly not practiced. Thank you for sharing your research!

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!

My husband was recently diagnosed with ADD. Reading this book helped me to understand why he behaves as he does. We will keep learning and make him an even greater person and husband than he already is. He has many of the wonderful qualities of a person with ADD.

[Alicia Zuto · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was written in question and answer style.It's very resourceful iand to the point.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I will be smoking weed thank you very much

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is in question-and-answer format, so I mostly browsed through all the questions that seemed relevant to us. It seemed most of the book was more focused on adults with ADHD which isn't as pertinent for us right now, which is why I rated it lower. It just wasn't as helpful to me right now.

[Heidileesinclair · Rating 4 out of 5]

not quite as clear as DRiven to Distraction - to read as addition to ... Heidi