Amazon.com Amazon.com Review (ISBN 0425183270, Paperback)
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.)
No stranger to the skepticism surrounding this topic, Dr. Amen begins with a list of dead-on myths (including "ADD is overdiagnosed") and surprising facts ("Many people with ADD are never hyperactive"). From this intriguing beginning flows a highly readable chapter on the signs and manifestations of ADD in all ages. Dr. Amen's full description of SPECT imaging includes multiple brain scan photos that nicely support his theories. But the most satisfying element of this well-researched presentation occurs in the final half of the book; here, Amen thoroughly explores the biological (diet, exercise, medication), psychological (from personal coaching to psychotherapy), and social support (parenting and school strategies) needed to heal each type of ADD. This book will prove a valuable tool for parents, adult sufferers, and medical professionals seeking practical support for managing this increasingly recognized condition. --Liane Thomas
(retrieved from Amazon Thu, 14 Feb 2013 13:32:44 -0500)
(see all 2 descriptions)
I'm giving this book a 'hard' review of less than 5-stars because there was one thing I really found myself wishing for and hope Dr. Amen will add it to the next revision of this book ... a synopsis at the end of each chapter with a list of symptoms to help you differentiate one of the six types of ADHD from one of the other six types outlined in this book. The case studies are excellent, but I was left looking at two types asking 'which one?' (In the end ... the mere fact it's a real physiological illness and not because I'm a bad parent wants to make me send Dr. Amen a dozen roses for writing this excellent book!)
If your kid has ADHD and isn't responding to Ritalin, buy this book! (