Reddit reviews Driven to Distraction (Revised): Recognizing and Coping with Attention Deficit Disorder

Here are some resources that have been incredibly helpful for me. :)

Books:

• Driven to Distraction by Dr. John Ratey -- I haven't read this one in a while, but I love Dr. Ratey. He is a great writer on issues of science, biology, and mental health.
  
  
• Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain by Dr. John Ratey -- Sections on how beneficial exercise is in managing ADHD, depression, and anxiety.
  
  
• Taking Charge of Adult ADHD by Dr. Russell Barkley -- Best book for adults with ADHD I've read. Backs everything up with science. Makes a very solid case for self-care and medication.
  
  
• Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World -- Hyperfocus == Deep Work. Use this philosophy to make the case to a boss or team about reducing interruption at work.
  
  
• Emotional Intelligence 2.0
  
  
• StrengthsFinder -- ADHD makes us painfully aware of our weaknesses. Learn what your strengths and positive personality traits are and how to build off them.
  
  Videos:
  
  
• 30 Essential Ideas You Should Know About ADHD by Dr. Russell Barkley -- Awesome series about the nature of ADHD. MUST WATCH
  
  Podcasts:
  
  
• The Value Of 'Deep Work' In An Age Of Distraction by Hidden Brain -- A podcast version of the Deep Work book if you're like me and have trouble getting through 200 pages.
  
  
• Embrace the Chaos: Why Disorder May Be Good For Us -- We may beat ourselves up over our struggles with structure, but here's a solid case on how less structure makes us more adaptable.

So: Yep, what you've described sounds pretty textbook and congratulations on figuring it out!

I had the revelation a few years ago (around 37ish) and remember the relief when that lightbulb went off. It's amazing how big of a difference it makes just to finally understand "Why?".

That said, medication isn't the answer by itself. You've likely developed a lot of coping mechanisms over the years and honing those (along with the meds) will make a huge, huge difference in your life/relationships/parenting.

Hopefully find a psychiatrist/nurse practitioner that can do more than prescribe meds or find a psychologist in addition to your prescriber. You might find talk therapy more helpful than you expected, I know I carried around a lot of self blame that was a huge weight to let go. They can also help explain some of your personal relationships and good ways to work through weaknesses you might have from the ADHD.

There's amazing resources out there to help you manage. I found the book Driven to Distraction eerily accurate on how well it described my life and can't recommend it enough.

Btw, given the hereditary nature of the beast, try to keep an eye out for the kids in as much of a non-projecting way as possible. Don't let them spend 40 years like many of us did.

Just use whatever coping strategies that you currently use to manage your adhd.

I recommend this book on adhd.

https://www.amazon.com/Driven-Distraction-Revised-Recognizing-Attention-ebook/dp/B005GFII62/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Ratey+and+hallowell&qid=1554344007&s=gateway&sr=8-1

In addition to your copious notes, take breaks when you notice that the quality of your recording is starting to slip.

Driven to Distraction was the best one I've read thus far. Hope it goes well for you!

Sure!

• Healing ADD by Daniel Amen - some really great brain science here, well written and totally easy to grasp. The first one I read and one of the most helpful.
  
• Driven to Distraction by Hallowell and Ratey - it was really valuable to see the focus on patient stories and on compassion for the ways people struggle with it in here. Reading about many different ways ADHD can manifest was super reassuring for me.
  
• Women with Attention Deficit Disorder by Sari Holden - this one is definitely dated a little, but I wish I had read it sooner than I did, because there can be significant gender differences in how ADHD presents and women are often diagnosed much later in life because they are less likely to be disruptive and less likely to be hyperactive. This was the one that made me feel completely sure that I wasn't faking it or deceiving myself and that I had the right diagnosis.

Well if you are concerned about it, I would suggest seeing someone to test you. It's absolutely life changing as many ADHDers will attest to. Also, even if you choose to not take medication, you can learn strategies. For instance you will know to try to delegate more repetitive tasks at your job to others, and take on the tasks that require more brainstorming and outside the box thinking. But you won't know these things without seeing a professional.

If you're interested in learning more, read Driven to Distraction by Edward Hallowell. It has a self check quiz that you can look into that's pretty short.

I’d suggest reading a book about it. The one that made it click for me was “Driven to Distraction.” I was actually reading it because my son was diagnosed, but realized that my wife and I have it too. If you’ve had a difficult life due to this disorder, like I have, the realization that you are not morally at fault for these things can be incredibly powerful.

I have been taking Caffeine 100mg + L-l-theanine MG and it's working like a charm. I have been an entrepreneur since I was 18 and now have fully funded start-up. Until three days ago I had no clue why I was never able to reach my full potential. I had no idea I had ADHD, being diagnosed is the first step to recovery. I suggest this book [Driven to Distraction] (http://www.amazon.com/Driven-Distraction-Revised-Recognizing-Attention-ebook/dp/B005GFII62/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1419630190&sr=8-3&keywords=add)

I've talked to a few friends about it, and my counselor has recommended speaking to my prescriber. Framing it in a sense of, hey, I'm having -these symptoms-. I think that's the frustrating part is like. Hey, all these markers for ADHD are coming up, and you're not treating me for it! Prescribers aren't perfect, and nobody knows your body or head like you do!

this book : (https://www.amazon.com/Driven-Distraction-Revised-Recognizing-Attention-ebook/dp/B005GFII62/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1541702361&sr=8-7&keywords=adult+adhd) focuses specifically on adults with untreated ADHD. So many of the stories ring so true. The authors have ADHDas well as treating it, and one of them even admitted that he was so focused on the depression with one of his clients, he missed ADHD as an option alltogether. (I borrowed this from the library, but I'm debating getting a physical copy so I can sticky note some of the things and/or show my psych :I)

I've read articles too, though I would wager that this site could prompt some improper self-diagnosis. Fine.

adult adhd symptoms

rejection-sensitivity dysphoria checklist

emotional hyperarousal checklist

Like, I just want to know where you're coming from saying that someone who does exhibit these symptoms in a debilitating way shouldn't use that criteria to guide their doctors. And if your doctors consistently aren't listening to you, find new doctors.

Here's an article on the usefulness of computerized ADHD testing on patients who have other mental disorders (tldr, fuckin' bad). https://pro.psychcentral.com/computerized-testing-for-adhd-is-it-useful/

Driven to Distraction helped me realize I have it. It's mostly anecdotes from all sort of people and how ADHD affects them and how they treat it.