John J. Ratey

"In 1994, Driven to Distraction sparked a revolution in our understanding of attention deficit disorder. Now a second revolution is under way in the approach to ADD, and the news is great. Drug therapies, our awareness of the role of diet and exercise, even the way we define the disorder -- all are changing radically. In this new book, Drs. Edward M. Hallowell and John J. Ratey build on the breakthroughs of Driven to Distraction to offer a comprehensive and entirely up-to-date guide to show more living a rich and productive life with ADD.

"Tailored expressly to ADD learning styles and attention spans, Driven to Distraction provides accessible, engaging discussions of every aspect of the condition, including new diagnostic procedures; whether ADD runs in families; links between ADD and other conditions; ways people with ADD can free up their inner talents; the truth about the new drugs and how they work; exciting advances in nonpharmaceutical therapies; sexual problems associated with ADD and how to resolve them; and strategies for dealing with procrastination, clutter, and chronic forgetfulness. Driven to Distraction is a wise, nurturing guide to releasing the positive energy that ll people with ADD hold inside."
~~back cover

Reading this book, I discovered more things about myself that are the result of my ADD, most specifically: piles. I've always made piles and they've always gotten out of hand; I thought it was just me. I looked around my house and remembered all the enormous piles I've dealt with and removed, and then I looked around again at all the new piles that have taken their place. "Then, one unsuspecting day, we walk into our disorganized office and see that it looks like a dumpster was emptied in it, and we fall to our knees and cry. We feel overwhelmed and inept. Incompetent. Lost. And so sad." What a perfect description of my life! "Most people will counsel you on how to get superorganuized. I urge you to ignore that advice if you have ADD. It is just not in the cards for you. But it doesn't matter. Instead, put your energy into getting well enough organized to reach your dreams." Talk about your get-out-of-jail-free cards! Following this excellent, practical advice will mean giving up my dream of a minimalist, uncluttered house and office, but obviously that's exactly what I need to do.

This book has this kind of practical, supportive advice for so many of the problems and difficulties that plague people with ADD. I can't recommend it strongly enough! show less

This has been sitting in my Audible library for a while. I think I started it instead of Abercrombie's Heroes because I wanted to listen to more non-fic in an "eat more broccoli" sort of way.

THIS BROCCOLI IS DELICIOUS!!!

Ratey makes the case for exercise as a therapy for many psychiatric disorders based on neuroscience, good studies, and persuasive argumentation. He's not selling a panacea. He's not against treating disorders w/ pharmaceuticals, but he does show the evidence that exercise show more (both aerobic and more complex movements like martial-arts or dancing) create positive changes in brain chemistry and architecture.

It is persuasive, smart, and fun to read. Highly recommended. show less

An informative book topic, though I was often confounded by the author's extrapolation of research that was too rarely cited to support the point they wanted to emphasize. The main difficulty arose based on their sketchy referrals to the underlying research. To accurately place Ratey and Manning's information in context required my reading the background research papers on which the authors rely. Curiosity-driven, I wanted to be confident that their interpretation of academic articles was show more supportable. A citation list at the end of each chapter would have effectively improved the reading progress. Despite some minor personal disagreements with their way of explaining, a great deal of useful interpretation in the book and lifestyle insights are emphasized which can easily escape interested people's notice otherwise.

I was particularly happy to see meat and dairy categories promoted as having a suitable place in the human diet. More importantly, coining the word carbovore as a descriptor of today's human being in modern society was brilliant. The chapter(s) explaining that the digestion (metabolism) of all carbohydrates ultimately reduces 'carbs' to sugar in the bloodstream were approachable for any interested reader to grasp.

This discussion tied in to an explanation of the resulting inflammation (from high carbohydrate intake) and referred to data showing the potential for cardiovascular problems, as well as obesity. Such useful insights would be useful if the general population coping with obesity and painful joints etc. could have an understanding along these lines.

The book didn't strike me as prescriptive or bossy, although I found countless instances of writing style choices which could mislead readers. For example, evolution is a change in the heritable characteristics of all living organisms. It is passive and happens over long periods of time. Too frequently, the authors write in a manner indicating there is thought, consciousness, or deliberation in these processes. A small point, but with huge consequences in terms of understanding the geological time frame. There were also passages that sidetracked the thrust of the discussion with lengthy case history anecdotes, instead of cutting to the chase to make the point. Hence a 3½-star book, though it does carry a 5-star message. show less

Humbling, isn't it? Your brain makes you smart, or a great tennis player, renowned explorer, or beloved parent. Our emotional life rules us - that's the way it had to be for our ancestors. They had to be quick on the draw to assess other people's motives, to react to danger, to respond appropriately with joy, sadness, commiseration, surprise and all the other roles others expect of us, if they expect to remain tightly bonded to their group.

Each brain is a universe unto itself. Even the show more brains of twins are different, not genetically, but due to environmental factors, even in utero.

I wish I could express the surprise and dismay about how brief are the 'windows of opportunity' for being able to recognize phonemes (vital to being really good at languages), develop language syntax, acquire spatial ability, move the limbs, even to see. As early as the first six months and as late as six to twelve years important windows can be passed by, leaving the child berift of major abiities. In effect, the 'Mozart effect' occurs much earlier than most of us think. The first two or three years determine quite a bit of how the adult will fare later in life.

Love and constant encouragement are vital. Continual talking to and around baby, and yes, even to the late stage fetus. Music is vital to develop intellectual ability and spatial ability.

Ratey urges pre-pregnant women, let alone the already pregnant, to not: smoke, drink, take drugs, and to carefully monitor prescription usage with their doctor. In fact, smoking after birth won't do baby any good, either. He relates how there are substantial bad effects which reduce the baby's chances in life in regard to intelligence, emotional stability, mental health, general health, job prospects. A kid can't do much these days without a good brain. A mother wouldn't want to be responsible for any of these serious deficits, would she?

The layout of the book is very well considered, with good illustrations (but for the best illustrated brain book see my reviews on: 'Mapping The Mind' by Rita Carter. Another great guide to getting a better picture of the brain's structures is: 'Colorful Introduction To The Anatomy Of The Human Brain' by John Pinel. Click on my 'Other Reviews' section).

However, I have to say how impressed I am with John Ratey's writing style and with his knowledge. Not surprisingly, he is a neuro-psychiatrist at Harvard Medical School. He comes across as a remarkable likable individual. I thought well of his advice to his daughter on going off to college, "Remember who you are."

In fact, in his chaper on memory it turns out that memory IS who we are. If we did not have a constantly accessable, contiguous knowing of 'Which I is I", as the poet Theodore Roethke put it, we would be in personal and social chaos.

And then there is the issue of consciousness - a real can of worms if ever there was one. Researchers from Philosophy to Physics are getting in on it. In my view the neurologists are the key to resolving the debate eventually, though maybe not in this century. Parts of the brain stem along with other brain centers orchestrate consciousness - in fact, that is the analogy he uses: a conductor leading an orchestra. A 40Hz electrical synchronization of many brain areas is what brings about consciosness. When enough significant areas of the brain synchronize, voila! You are jumping out of bed and heading for the shower.

The brain needs exercise! Movement is vital. Many intellectual functions are actually derived from movement. Intellectual stimulation is vital. Listen! Toss out that TV, really. It may be better to get the latest, most challenging video game if you want to challenge the brain. Better than listening passively to some 'talking head' carrying on about the day's latest disaster somewhere else in the world.

Walking, Tai-Chi (did I spell that right?), golf, volleyball, dancing, playing (not just listening to) music ... Non-passive things to DO. In the brain's development, at critical times we must be DOING activities which will enable the brain's connections to form properly. Action is the name of the game.

Ratey uses extensive referal to the latest research, but in general does it in a way that is not too irritating to the lay reader. You have to understand that in the world of Science, immortality is gained by dying after having been mentioned in the greatest number of citations.

My advice: you need to read this book! You will be surprised by what you have been carrying around on your shoulders all these years. And my hat's off to John Ratey for a supurb survey of the latest in neuro-psychiatry. show less