Scattered Minds

The Origins and Healing of Attention Deficit Disorder

By: Gabor Maté MD

Narrated by: Daniel Maté

New York Times bestseller!

From renowned mental health expert and speaker Dr. Gabor Maté, Scattered Minds explodes the myth of attention deficit disorder (ADD/ADHD) as genetically based—and offers real hope and advice for children and adults who live with the condition.

In this breakthrough guide to understanding, treating, and healing Attention Deficit Disorder, Dr. Gabor Maté, bestselling author of The Myth of Normal, and himself diagnosed with ADD:

• Demonstrates that the condition is not a genetic “illness” but a response to environmental stress
• Explains that in ADD, circuits in the brain whose job is emotional self-regulation and attention control fail to develop in infancy – and why
• Shows how ‘distractibility’ is the psychological product of life experience
• Allows parents to understand what makes their ADD children tick, and adults with ADD to gain insights into their emotions and behaviors
• Expresses optimism about neurological development even in adulthood
• Presents a program of how to promote this development in both children and adults

Whereas other books on the subject describe the condition as inherited, Dr. Maté believes that our social and emotional environments play a key role in both the cause of and cure for this condition. In Scattered Minds, he describes the painful realities of ADD and its effect on children as well as on career and social paths in adults.

While acknowledging that genetics may indeed play a part in predisposing a person toward ADD, Dr. Maté moves beyond that to focus on the things we can control: changes in environment, family dynamics, and parenting choices. He draws heavily on his own experience with the disorder, as both an ADD sufferer and the parent of diagnosed children. Providing a thorough overview of ADD and its treatments, without blaming anyone, Scattered Minds is essential and life-changing reading for the millions of ADD sufferers in North America today.

Critic reviews

"One of the most comprehensive and accessible books about ADD... challenges many accepted notions about the condition." —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Based on solid research and a strong humanistic sensibility... written with humor and compassion, from an unsparingly honest personal perspective."
—John J. Ratey, M.D., coauthor of Driven to Distraction

Learned, balanced, persuasive

I am skeptical of “famous doctors” making big pronouncements about health. But this book’s points are so balanced, self-critical, and based on Daniel Siegel’s brilliant work in attachment theory.

I admit that the move from describing insecure attachment to ADHD diagnosis did not come across as firmly rooted in any systematic proof, certainly not empirical. But it did seem plausible and worth considering.

If you enjoy learning from therapists’ clinical insights, then this well-written and well read book is certainly for you—whether you are interested in the topic or not!

Insightful & Inspiring

After listening, I am able to understand ADHD in a more integrated & meaningful way.

Well explained, concise and well read.

This book on both child and adult ADD is well explained, concise and well narrated. If you are looking for a good introductory volume, this is it.
Dr. Mate’s other books (especially The Myth of Normal) are equally insightful and informative and complement this one very well.

Great info and new perspective

This is a great book to open your eyes to how to look at adhd both in your child and yourself and the possibility of using medication, not to control them but how it actually helps them to function better when it’s truly needed. Great read.

That I have ADD

That I need help. The problem is getting help is like finding a needle in a haystack that was a bit depressing