Attention Deficit Disorder

The Unfocused Mind in Children and Adults

By: Dr. Thomas Brown PhD

Narrated by: Tim Lundeen

Length: 13 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

Myths about Attention Deficit Disorder/Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder(ADD/ADHD) abound. This disorder frequently goes unrecognized, and even when diagnosed may be inadequately treated. In this up-to-date and clearly written audiobook, a leading expert offers a new way of understanding ADD. Drawing on recent findings in neuroscience and a rich variety of case histories from his own clinical practice, Dr. Thomas E. Brown describes what ADD syndrome is, how it can be recognized at different ages, and how it can best be treated.

This is the first book to address the perplexing question about ADD: how can individuals, some very bright, be chronically unable to "pay attention", yet be able to focus very well on specific tasks that strongly interest them? Dr. Brown disputes the "willpower" explanation and explains how inherited malfunctions of the brain's management system prevent some people from being able to deal adequately with challenging tasks of childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. His audiobook is an authoritative and practical guide for physicians and psychologists, parents and teachers, and the 7 to 9 percent of persons who suffer from ADD/ADHD.

Selected as an Outstanding Academic Title by Choice magazine.

©2005 Thomas E. Brown, PhD (P)2012 Redwood Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"An excellent account.... Highly recommended." ( Choice)

"This book is a valuable resource for people who struggle with attention and concentration, as it not only describes ADD and ADHD but also offers suggestions for getting help." ( Science News)

"Brown provides a very clear structure for defining and understanding this complex set of brain functions that are often impaired in those with ADHD." ( Journal of Attention Disorders)

Attention Deficit Disorder

As one who had limited understanding of ADD or ADHD this book was very useful to give me the fundamental understanding as to what the condition was and particularly how the deficiencies of specific neurotransmitters in select regions of the brain led to predictable behaviors. The book was relatively easy read and the way the book was laid out, it was easy to follow. The case studies outlined were a nice compliment to the earlier chapters.

Eye opening!!

I gained knowledge, a larger “big picture” understanding of the brain, the individuals capacity as well as the limitations possible with ADHD. Fascinating!!

Thank you

Complete , thorough and helpful. Tons of information. Listened at 2x speed at times to get through more of the technical info. I am thankful that I found the book. Now I will begin to listen through this valuable information again .
55 and learning of ADD traits in my life.
Thank you.

One of the most authoritative books on ADHD

This text is so accurate to my ADHD experience and prior study of executive function. I'm in near disbelief this book wasn't in my repertoire years before! Worthy of every moment spent listening.

Lots of good information

The author has lots of good information. The book is hard to get though but really worth it. I have a college degree in Psychology but he changed my mind on HDAD.

Very informative

Clearly the research is extensive. The study cases help very much in understanding the role played by ADHD.

The author believes the most effective treatment strongly relies on medicine, mostly stimulants, and shows the research to back up this view.

Very insightful!

Well organized and a key resource for anyone wanting to understand ADD or ADHD better. I feel this is a must read for any parent with a child potentially facing or experiencing either one.

Lots of good technical information on ADD

What did you love best about Attention Deficit Disorder?

It provided a great deal of detailed information about all types of ADD and other conditions that frequently accompany it. Sometimes it was a little too dry and technical (with lots of quotes about/from the DSM 4). But it isn't a subject onecan make terribly fascinating.

Clearly Dr. Brown is very well educated about ADD and other related disorders. The book will be helpful for anyone who needs understand and learn more about it. If you have someone with ADD in your life or you have it yourself, you will want to learn more about it. The book should be educational to both parents and sufferers of ADD. The audible format is definitely better for you if you've got ADD.

Did Tim Lundeen do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

It was really just the author as the main character. He read the complex subject matter clearly and understandably.

Any additional comments?

It is my fault given how recent most research on ADD is, but since it was released in 2012, I expected it to be more up to date with current medications and information. I didn't realize that it was actually published in 2005 and I wonder if that might have been a later edition of an earlier book.

From the perspective of someone who has Adult ADD, but currently no insurance and no extra money to spend on non-essentials(I did have about a year of treatment w/ insurance and various meds and still something, but it does very little good).

I felt depressed after reading it and learning that he feels (and he sites studies that support this opinion) medication alone is the best treatment (helping 80% or more ADD sufferers. The studies sited clearly showed medication was by far the best and most effective treatment (whether it was provided with counseling / other support or not) along with a doctor to provide medication management.

He kind of seems to expect all these are options you can pay for (or your insurance will), but if you don't have very much money or insurance and medication didn't help you much, it seemed he felt you were out of luck.

He didn't offer any options for individuals who don't have the resources for a lot of expensive professional help. I assume there are many many people out there like me, who really want to get better and get their lives on track. I wish he'd offered some other alternatives that might be of help if I can't pay doctors and counselors out of pocket.

I have read some other books that felt there were other options that would help me, so I hope they are correct. I didn't like spending all that time learning about ADD, only to feel defeated that there seemed to be no options available for me to get better. I hope the other books are correct for everyone's sake in the current economy.

Excellent overview of ADD and ADHD

Would you listen to Attention Deficit Disorder again? Why?

Well written and well narrated, this book provides a thorough introduction to the concept of ADD syndrome as a broader category than ADHD, the DSM IV diagnosis. Using keen examples from his clients/patients, Brown outlines the various ways a malfunctioning Executive Function can manifest itself and how that can complicate the lives of those with ADD or ADHD. Brown is particularly strong on outlining the differences between how the syndrome affects children, teens, young adults, and older adults.

Any additional comments?

As someone only diagnosed as an adult, I found the vignettes from his clients to be very helpful in recognizing how I'd been dealing with issues that I could now understand as a part of the syndrome. I would recommend this book to anyone facing a recent diagnoses of ADD, either for themselves or someone close to them.

A revealing book

Very well narrated book with new fresh eye on how brain works...it is changing my life. It is a must listen.