ADHD 2.0

January 4, 2021
Psychiatrists Hallowell and Ratey (coauthors, Driven to Distraction) team up again for this encouraging survey on understanding attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Despite the disorder’s reputation as a condition that occurs in childhood, the authors write, ADHD can often appear in adulthood, when “the demands of life exceed the person’s ability to deal with them.” ADHD can be channeled in healthy ways once it’s understood, they posit: because people with ADHD feel “an omnipresent itch to create,” the authors encourage readers who have the condition to find a job that highlights creative strengths. Hallowell and Ratey offer tips for establishing a productive environment, such as making a schedule and limiting screen time. The authors also make a strong case for why medication should be part of a treatment plan (to regulate “neurotransmitters that are off kilter in the ADHD brain”), and cover commonly prescribed drugs as well as nonpharmaceutical interventions such as “the calming and focusing power of exercise.” Beyond their medical knowledge, both authors have ADHD, which lends empathy to their tips: “Most people, even now, don’t understand the power, magnitude, and complexity of this condition.” This information-packed guide is a must-have for anyone dealing with ADHD.