Editorial Review

This clear and valuable book dispels a variety of myths about attention deficit disorder (ADD). Since both authors have ADD themselves, and both are successful medical professionals, perhaps there's no surprise that the two myths they attack most persistently are: Read more

Reviews (102)

Well Written
This book was suggested to me ater recently being diagnosed with ADHD. Anyone who has a brother, sister, child, mother or friend with ADHD should read this book. Because it is so well written it gives the reader real insight into how the ADHD mind intereprets and responds to everyday activities. Books like this one will help to dispell the myth that ADHD= "hyperactive, over drugged kids who refuse to pay attention" and "lazy, irresponsible adults looking for excuses".

This should be required reading to get a prescription!!!
It's simple, any parent filling a prescription for any ADD medication for thier child should have to first read this book or any other written by Dr. Hallowell. My son was diagnosed 9 years ago and I knew I connected with him better than anyone else but I didn't know why. Since 1 year ago I was diagnosed I started to understand but until I read this book and a couple of others (I think I have close to 15 ADD books) and realized what A.D.D really is I didn't get it. I'm not sure someone who is not gifted with A.D.D will ever really get it but if they read more books like this one maybe they would at least understand a little more and minimize the damage created by trying to fit the child into their small world.

Amazing
I never ever finish books and I read this in a few days.It describes me to a T.Not only is the subject matter interesting but the author is funny and the book is entertaining.I loved the cough drop syndrom story.The cough drop syndrom is totally my life.
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Subjects:  1. Attention deficit disorders    2. Attention-deficit disorder in    3. Attention-deficit disorder in adults    4. Attention-deficit hyperactivit    5. Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder    6. General    7. Health/Fitness    8. Parenting - Hyperactivity    9. Popular works    10. Psychology    11. Coping with personal problems    12. Psychology & Psychiatry / General   

Reviews (63)

The best book in the world -ADHD approved by me
I have tried several things with my 6 year old son.He craves negative attention.He has been diagnosed with ADHD and ODD (oppositional defiance disorder). This is a simple plan that works.He has made outstanding improvements.I am using it also with my 12 year old daughter with out any problems.It is something that the non-difficult child can benefit from as much as the difficult child.If I had to pick a book solely on a name I do not think I would have picked this one but it came highly recommended to me. I am going to by 10 more copies and hand them out to anyone interacting with my children.If i had the money I would buy one for anyone who is around any child period.

Positive Paradigm
Transforming the Difficult Child The Nurtured Heart Approach is an awesome book. I am a teacher and plan to apply its principles in my elementary class. Using new paradigms, it enfolds your child in positives as a way of building inner wealth. It leads your child to be recognized for all of the positiveness he possesses. It helps him to feel loved and accepted, as well as to channel his energies in ways that make positive contributions to himself and those around him. This book will lead you on an exciting new way to enjoy life with a highly energized child.

Worth your time
I was a little dubious about this book when it was suggested that I read it, but I respect the co-worker who suggested it and decided to give it a try.It is an informative and emotionally challenging read.The book offers a different perspective about parenting, without passing negative judgements as many subject-related books do.The most useful component of this book is that it suggests small changes and shifts in focus to help families support a child who struggles emotionally and socially.These small changes do bring some measure of peace for parents who have been struggling to help their children become productive and successful people in the world. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Behavior disorders in children    2. Counseling of    3. Education / Teaching Methods & Materials / General    4. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    5. Family/Marriage    6. Parenting    7. Parenting - Hyperactivity    8. Problem children    9. United States    10. ADHD    11. Attention-deficit disorder in    12. Attention-deficit hyperactivit    13. Classroom Management    14. Teaching   

Reviews (4)

Disappointing
I have a 19 year old son that has been on stimulants since age 5.The stimulants work but we're always searching for a better, easier and cheaper solution.We've tried all types of naturals treatments and biofeedback but they did not work.I was hoping that Lawlis' book offered some new insights into ADD and it's causes and treatment.However, I was disappointed to read the same old suggestions about nutrition, diet, biofeedback, etc.I don't disagree that some people benefit from these treatments but Dr. Lawlis didn't present any new ideas.

From a Parent's Perspective
I have a 14 yo son with ADHD and I've read too many books on the subject. I took my son off all meds a year ago because the cure was becoming worse than the diagnosis and realized that the meds were masking his emotional problems even though he went to Psychciatrists and Psycologists, Pediatric Neurological Behavioralists-the list seemed eternal.
Worthless Drivel !!!
I have been in practice for over 25 years, treating adults and children alike, I have read many books on the subject of ADD and ADHD and frankly I found this book to be full of the same old sham treatments that don't work any better than snake oil.
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Subjects:  1. Child Care/Parenting    2. Child Psychology    3. Children with Special Needs    4. Education Of Neurologically Impaired Students    5. Family & Relationships    6. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    7. General    8. Learning Disabilities    9. Parenting - General    10. Parenting - Hyperactivity    11. Psychology / Psychopathology / Attention-Deficit Disorder (ADD-ADHD)   

Editorial Review

Hard, visual data make a compelling case for the existence of attention deficit disorder (ADD) in this pioneering work by Daniel G. Amen, M.D. Using a nuclear medicine technique called "single photon emission computed tomography" (SPECT)--a controversial step, according to some of his peers--Dr. Amen scans patients' brains to identify various abnormalities. From more than 8,000 such studies and more than 12,000 patient evaluations, Dr. Amen concludes that six--not the formerly presumed two--different types of ADD exist. This book encompasses the full spectrum of Dr. Amen's work: from symptom identification to clinical evaluation, to diet and medication recommendations, to everyday strategies for living with ADD (whether the reader is a parent of an ADD child, or has been diagnosed with the disease.)Read more

Reviews (78)

Effective diagnosis and treatment of attention deficit disorders, based on data, not dogma
Healing ADD is a very readable presentation of the scientific evidence for Attention Deficit Disorders.It contains effective treatment recommendations, based on real world clinical experience. Insightful case histories accompany SPECT brain scans of actual patients, illuminating the physical reality of the disorders and the impact of various pharmaceutical, nutritional, psychotherapy and herbal treatments.
Safe, is it really?
In page xvii of the introduction, Dr. Amen writes "Stimulant medications such as Adderall, Ritalin, or Dexedrine are among the safest and most effective medications in psychiatry". That sounds reassuring until you read the article in Medical News Today (August 22, 2006) mentioning that "Dexedrine and Ritalin are drugs used to treat ADHD. The FDA announced changes to their labels, and possibly those of some other ADHD drugs, to include a warning of a risk of heart problems and psychotic behavior". That is not reassuring at all. This book is writing in an authoritative style - sort of the bible of ADHD, the book that tells you what it is, and how to go about it. The only problem is that it is flawed.
Very informative
Dr. Amen did an excellant job of explaining ADHD and the brain based research that he's done in a way that's easy to read and understand.It's a great resourse for those looking to understand how the brain is affected by this disorder and the way a variety of treatments can be effective. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Attention-deficit disorder in adults    2. Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder    3. Children with Special Needs    4. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    5. Health & Fitness    6. Health/Fitness    7. Healthy Living    8. Learning Disabilities    9. Parenting - Hyperactivity    10. Treatment    11. Diseases & disorders    12. Health & Fitness / General    13. Neurology & clinical neurophysiology    14. Popular medicine   

Reviews (9)

Great for Older kids
I think this would be a highly useful book for parents of children 8 and older.There are activities for your child to do like rating their worry on a number scale that I felt were too abstract/advanced for my 4 year old.The general information about anxieties would be good for parents of children of any age.

Excellent Ideas For Desperate Parents
My 8 year old daughter has a lot of issues with anxiety. Fortunately it hasn't gotten to the point where it's extreme but we want to give her tools so that it doesn't get that way. I myself have had issues with anxiety my whole life so I'm sure much of the problems stem from hereditary.
It helped me understand my child better.
After reading this, I gained more compassion for my child, and I was better equipped to handle his anxiousness. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anxiety in children    2. Children with Special Needs    3. Family & Relationships    4. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    5. Family/Marriage    6. General    7. Parenting    8. Parenting - General    9. Parenting - Hyperactivity    10. Personality    11. Child & developmental psychology    12. Child care & upbringing   

Reviews (34)

Excellent Book
This book was recommended to me by my son's Doctor. It is very detailed and informative. It is a great choice to learn more about ADHD. I highly recommend it.

A Complete and Solid Parents' Guide
As a fully licensed clinical psychologist and the author of Parenting Kids with ADD/ADHD: Real Tools for Real Life I feel uniquely qualified to say that Dr. Barkley's book is the MOST complete ADHD-related parenting book in print today.It offers a complete review of the scientific literature related to ADHD, and describes scientifically supported treatments.This volume could be improved by being more user friendly, and somewhat less dense (goals I attempted to meet in my own volume mentioned above).
Useful, thought provoking, but utterly cold and empathy-free
I came to this book as a skeptic, and as someone who wants nothing to do with the meds. I had avoided reading Barkley because I knew him to be a big drug guy.Read more

Subjects:  1. Attention-deficit hyperactivit    2. Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder    3. Child rearing    4. Children with Special Needs    5. Family & Relationships    6. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    7. Family/Marriage    8. Parenting - General    9. Parenting - Hyperactivity    10. Popular works    11. Abnormal psychology    12. Family & Relationships / Parenting   

Reviews (43)

One Really Good Book
This is one good book, one really good book!
Practical and easy to read
I got this to help me help my daughter with her finances. The book offered many useful tips on that subject as well as good general advice on paper, thing, and time organizing. Kathleen Nadeau is widely respected in the medical community for her knowledge and down to earth strategies for those with ADD/ADHD. The professional organizer, Judith Kolberg, has broken down everyday problems that everyone faces into easy step by step plans. I highly recommend this book for both those with and without Attention Deficit.

Just what I needed!!
I love the book; when get all the time i need, i will soon get organized.Thanks for the suggestions!!Mildred Rickett ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Attention-deficit disorder in    2. Attention-deficit disorder in adults    3. General    4. Management    5. Organization    6. Parenting - Hyperactivity    7. Personal Growth - General    8. Psychology    9. Self-Help    10. Clinical psychology    11. Self-Help & Practical Interests    12. Self-Help / General   

Reviews (10)

Only for "perfect" ADHD children
If your child truly deals with ADHD in combination with any other conditions (RAD, OCD, etc), this is NOT the book for you.The author clearly deals with children with a singular diagnosis.
With the right support, children and adults with ADHD can control their symptoms and lead happy and fulfilled lives.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most feared and misunderstood of all medical conditions. Despite over 200 scientific papers being published on this neurological condition every year, it remains stigmatised and controversial. Some doctors don't even believe it exists. Yet it is estimated that as many as 13-15% of the childhood population, and over four million adults are affected by ADHD. These people are often described as stupid, lazy, disorganized, wild, out of control or woozy on drugs. But the reality is altogether more complex, and deeply moving. Lara Webb, as many scientists believe that people with ADHD behave the way they do because they have key differences in the frontal lobes of their brains--the part that plays an important role in the way that we control our impulses. People with ADHD have difficulty suppressing their impulses and therefore respond to more cues than the average person. Rather than failing to pay attention, they pay attention to everything. This means they're often overloaded with information they cannot filter out. These people are unable to stop and think about a situation, to 'apply the brakes' and consider the consequences before they act.
Great read for anyone who has a child with adhd
I found this book to be so refreshing.Infact I can say that out of all the books I've read on this topic (which is alot) this one was most helpful.It takes all of the characteristics of the adhd child and teaches you how to both embrace them and appreciate them, in turn it helps you to reinforce to your child that they are indeed different but very, very lucky to have this incredible personality.Once you truly start to believe in your child and love their madness for what it is, creative energy, you will stop being stressed out and worried about the future and start loving the present.Life isn't always perfect but it is an adventure when you are lucky enough to have a child with this special gift.If you're child has adhd please read this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity    2. Attention-deficit hyperactivit    3. Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder    4. Child    5. Children with Special Needs    6. Family & Relationships    7. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    8. Family/Marriage    9. Parenting - Hyperactivity    10. Popular works    11. Child care & upbringing   

Reviews (79)

An awesome resource
Recently diagnosed with ADD I've been battling at work for accommodations.My doctor/therapist provided me a document for accommodations just this week.It took the harrassment from a supervisor away.I went to HR and let her know that the Department Manager has been very good about this, letting me know what he expects.I mentioned that I had read in the book about the need for organizers and I would have purchased a Palm today, but the store was out.She got up, pulled out a box and there was a Palm.She indicated that this could be used as an accommodation.I asked if I found the reference if that would be enough and it was agreed.I went back to my desk, and turned to the right page, took it back to her, and she's putting in a request to have it installed on my computer at the office and it's now an accommodation.I've followed the advice in the book about using "to do" lists, and it has really helped to keep me focused just on what I need to do.I highly recommend the book, as well as Sari Solden's "Women with ADD"

Needs updating
While reading some of the previous reviews, I saw one that mentioned "contemporary science" - written in 1999. The first Amazon.com customer review for this book is from 1997. If I'd read it then, I would have rated it higher. But a book that deals with anything medical needs to be updated long before it's a decade old, which this one now is. The chapter on medication is completely outdated; it shouldn't be referred to by anyone who wants to know what options are available now. And while all the scientific/medical questions about ADD/ADHD haven't been answered, more is known now than when this book was written.
life changing
I found myself in every page.Gives new hope and opens the oors of understanding.A must readfor adults & teens with ADD and their families. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Psychology    2. Substance Abuse & Addictions - General    3. Recovery    4. General    5. Learning Disabilities    6. Coping with personal problems    7. Psychology & Psychiatry / General    8. Self-Help & Practical Interests    9. Parenting - Hyperactivity    10. Attention-deficit disorder in adults    11. Self-Help    12. Attention deficit disorders    13. Popular works   

Reviews (25)

A concerned adult with ADHD
I am an adult with ADHD inatintive type. I have struggled all my life with this condition.Howevere, I have managed to earn a BA in psychology and I am currently working on a masters degree.Because of my expierences in psychology classes I know something about scientific research and empirical evidence.This book was a major dissapointment to me because it lacks thesimple scholary research to prove the claims made by Dr Lawless. I am afraid this book is nothing more then modernday snake-oil that will cause more harm then good.
Response to Concerned Mom
Concerned Mom,
PLEASE READ BEFORE BUYING!
There are many great ideas presented in this book about dealing with your add child, BUT the chapter on meds is completely off base.Let me preface the following with MY opinion (I am not an MD or an expert) that children with ADD need a team approach in helping them deal with the condition (if you choose to call it one) and there is a place for meds for many kids, BUT it is only a piece of the puzzle. Parents, teachers, family members, Md's, and behavioral specialists are all crucial. I happen to work indirectly with many of the world thought leaders and experts on ADD (ie. Joseph Beiderman, Mass General Hospital, Boston MA/ Harvard Medical School, ... look up his credentials). First Dr. Frank Lawlis is not an MD, this means he has not been to medical school- that is not to say he isn't a great psychologist, just that he HAS NOT and DOES NOT write prescriptions for these meds and has NO first hand experience with directly managing these meds himself.In this book there are many things that are completely false regarding ADD meds. For example he states that they only work for about 50% of kids.FALSE Let me cite 3 credible sources that disputes this (notice in the book that he does not talk about HIS credible source)
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Subjects:  1. Attention-deficit disordered c    2. Attention-deficit disordered children    3. Attention-deficit hyperactivit    4. Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder    5. Child Psychology    6. Child rearing    7. Children with Special Needs    8. Education Of Neurologically Impaired Students    9. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    10. General    11. Health & Fitness    12. Health/Fitness    13. Learning Disabilities    14. Parenting - Hyperactivity    15. Popular works    16. Advice on parenting    17. Family & Relationships / Children with Special Needs    18. Paediatric medicine    19. Popular medicine    20. Psychotherapy   

Reviews (5)

Great tool to help us raise our children
The ADHD book of list is a great guide to discovering the facts about ADHD and what can be done to work with a child who has been diagnosed with it and help him or her to be successful in life. It is appropriate for parents, counselors, educators and an community member who comes in contact with children and adults with this disorder.

this book is HUGE!
I didn't expect this book to be so huge...in size and also in the amount of info.i just received this book today and have skimmed over most of the info in it. i have already found several pages that i will photocopy and give to my child's teacher. the way that the information is presented is easy to follow, easy to locate, and easy to understand. well worth the money and time spent reading it from cover to cover.

Recommended by Psychologist
If you buy only one book on ADD, make it this one.Read more

Subjects:  1. Attention-deficit-disordered c    2. Attention-deficit-disordered children    3. Cognition Disorders    4. Education    5. Education Of Exceptional Children    6. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    7. Handbooks, manuals, etc    8. Hyperactive children    9. Parenting - Hyperactivity    10. Psychopathology - General    11. Special Education - General    12. Special Education - Socially Handicapped    13. United States    14. Bibliographies, catalogues, discographies    15. Education / Special Education / General    16. Teaching of children with emotional & behavioural difficulties   

Reviews (12)

GROSS!
That is the best title I can think of for this review because that is how disgustingly stupid this book is. I'm amazed that it's apparently been bought by so many, having encountered a confused woman with awful dyed red hair who dances like a nutball on the sidewalk on Wyoming Blvd. in Albuquerque. No offense to you if you read this, just saying how you appeared. This dancer brought up that she had a friend who had an Indigo child, and it was the first time I heard of it. She didn't explain what it was but then I read this book...
Skip it
Indigo is another word for ADD or ADHD and, in the end, this book offers NO solutions or assistance of any kind.It is an insulting and ignorant look at what so many families are struggling with and sends the underlying message, "You're doing it all wrong."
Insulting and ridiculous
So now we've come up with a "special" label for kids who need some extra effort on our part to raise?
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Subjects:  1. Care    2. Children    3. Exceptional children    4. Family & Relationships    5. Family/Marriage    6. Inspiration & Personal Growth    7. Miscellanea    8. New Age (Self Help)    9. New Age / Body, Mind & Spirit    10. Nutrition    11. Parenting - General    12. Parenting - Hyperactivity    13. Child care & upbringing    14. Teaching of children / adults with specific learning difficulties   

Reviews (19)

I know you hate the drug industry but...
It sounds like many of you have children who have ADD and you chose not to go the medication route.Be careful - and don't forget it is your child not you who has tolive with this - and you should not judge the success of any plan on "if you think he is behaving better" but rather on his/her happiness.This is not about you - it is about your child.I think any child who changes his diet will manifest different behaviors.But ADD is a genetic, neurological disorder - to use the word "onset" and "prevention" of ADD - this is the most demeaning and blaitantly wrong term I have ever heard.Attention Deficit Disorder is caused by an insufficient release and absorbtion of Dopamine.Can a diet affect this - maybe a little - but concerta, ritalin, etc - actually do affect the release of dopamine.I applaud all of you in your research of ADD but be skeptical- of medication and of "Diets".What I do know is that I attend middlebury college and for the first three semesters I was getting mostly B's some A-'s (all without medication) - then convinced I was trying too hard or atleast much harder than everyone else for the same outcome, I decided to try concerta - which I refused in my earlier childhood years (seven-ten) as most kids do.I took an extra class and I pulled off 4A-s and a B+.I would like to think it was all me - and it really was all me, but the hard thing to understand is that many kids with ADD are intelligent enough - instead it is the neurology.Don't sell your child short by staking yourself as an anti-pharmaceutical parent...The doctors (experts) prescribe it for a reason.Keep your child playingsports, give him structure, have compassion and that is half the battle.

Not for everyone
After much searching we bought this book to help our son.We are hesitant to try medication due to his medical history so thought this book sounded like a good alternative.Many of the reviews are very positive which was encouraging.
Supplement industry consultant!
Part of the author's bio says she is a consultant to the supplement industry. No wonder. The list of (mostly unproven) supplements is looooooong and probably costly. I can't imagine a child or adolescent taking all of these. I'm looking for an alternative remedy for my child's ADD, but this book was no help. I'm returning it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Attention-deficit hyperactivit    2. Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder    3. Attention-deficit-disordered c    4. Attention-deficit-disordered children    5. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    6. Health & Fitness    7. Health - Nutrition    8. Health/Fitness    9. Hyperactive children    10. Learning Disabilities    11. Nutrition    12. Nutritional aspects    13. Parenting - Hyperactivity    14. Popular works    15. Dietetics & nutrition    16. Family & Health    17. Neurology & clinical neurophysiology    18. Specific disorders & therapies   

Reviews (35)

Hartmann and Drugs
Hartmann is a successful multitasker: not only does he write popular books on ADD/ADHD, he has published numerous books of poetry, has opened four hospitals in Third World countries, and so on. His point is that ADD/ADHD is a curse if it is not channeled properly, but can be a great blessing, and an enormous goad (and even key) to success if the "sufferer" learns to handle it, learns to cope with it.
Best book I've read on the subject!
This is the first product I've ever written a review about--that should tell you something!
I Owe This to the Author
Your reviewers experience: a few short years ago my youngest son was in real trouble. Skipping school and failing I had him tested at his therapist's request. Near genius IQ. In eight grade his math aptitude (which he failed through most of school) was above 12th grade. He was miserable and so was our family. In search of answers he was diagnosed as ADD. It was a dark dark time for me to the point I believed I might lose this child.
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Subjects:  1. Attention-deficit disorder in    2. Attention-deficit disorder in adults    3. Attention-deficit hyperactivit    4. Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder    5. Parenting - Hyperactivity    6. Psychology    7. Psychopathology - General    8. Self-Help    9. Special Education - Learning Disabled    10. Coping with illness    11. Self Help    12. Parenting   

Reviews (17)

An interesting and useful read
I found this book very interesting and useful from many different perspectives.
Stop-- This is a "must not" read.
You really need to be careful when reading this book.Understandingly, people facing the challenges of ADD/ADHD are stressed out and overly receptive to a voice like Hartmann's.Strangely unprofessional, Hartmann offers a "soft ball" lob to those looking for a feel good camp-fire-like discussion of the challenges of ADD/ADHD.This is not a productive way to approach these challenges.Overcoming these challenges takes discipline, a manner of thinking totally absent in Harmann's writing.I would go so far as to say that the author's writing style, the manner in which he presents his ideas, and the thinking behind those ideas represents the worst, rather than the most optimal aspects, of traits associated with ADD. Beware.

Don't have a cue what to do!!!Read the book!
Thom Hartmann has written a series of books related to ADD/ADHD.
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