Healing ADD: The Breakthrough Program That Allows You to See and Heal the Six Types of Attention Deficit Disorder

A reviewer

Dr. Daniel Amen started using biofeedback and behavior modification as an army psychiatrist in the late 80s. While attending a lecture, he became aware of the use of electroencephalograms (EEGs) in treating children with ADD. This gave Dr. Amen a ¿critical insight: the importance of looking at the brain in different states¿. Thus Dr. Amen became a pioneer in the field connecting ADD and the use of biofeedback and brain imaging. Soon he was introduced to brain SPECT (single proton emission computed tomography) imaging and started using it in his practice. He tried the SPECT on one of his patients at the time and discovered normal brain activity at rest but decreased activity when problem solving. Treatment with Ritalin corrected the problem AND it was all documented by the tests. The patient was thrilled ¿Having ADD is not my fault. It¿s a medical problem, just like someone who needs glasses.¿ Despite continued success, there was still a great deal of resistance to the use of imaging and biofeedback in the medical community. This was frustrating to Dr. Amen and made him angry. ¿How can we not look at the brain? Cardiologists look at the heart. Orthopedic doctors have bone x-rays. We (psychiatrists) deal with the most complex organ in the body. How can we treat it without having information on how it functions? We are the only medical specialists that never look at the organ we treat!¿ Thankfully Dr. Amen was not dissuaded from his continued use of SPECT and biofeedback. For each of the 6 types of ADD described by Dr. Amen, there are real life clinical studies as well as SPECT images of actual patients and the varied treatment for each type. Treatment for each of the types includes dietary changes and supplements, physical exercise, pharmacological medications, environmental changes and behavior modification suggestions. The clinical studies include males, females, children, teenagers, adults as well as brain trauma victims. In addition to dealing with the myths, facts and core symptoms of ADD, Dr. Amen also discusses why ADD is increasing in the population and is underdiagnosed and undertreated. In this book, ADD is recognized as a psychological, biological and social disorder. As such Dr. Amen recognizes that treatment must also be on all levels. The nine chapters on optimizing the ADD life offer a plethora of strategies on parenting and family, school, work and sleep. Also discussed is EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing), as well as focused breathing, self-hypnosis and ADD coaching. Despite the extensive `science¿ in this book, it is an easy read. It provides proven practical suggestions to help those with ADD to lead full productive and satisfying lives.

5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

Buy this book first!

Has your child been recently diagnosed? Looking for a 'not just meds' solution? Look no further than this book for thorough insight and a positive future for your child and your family living with ADD.

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

Good except for the 6 categories

My daughter has a very serious problem sustaining attention but none of the 6 categories Amen describes her at all. The 6 categories group unrelated symptoms together, and I do not think they are valid.

Nonetheless, I found the book fascinating, informative, and helpful.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

way to go

It was very indepth and gave very practical soultions that really work. I especially liked the section on the ANTS (automatic negitive thoughts) I never realized how much I kept myself from suceeding in life.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

At last, it's not a mystery anymore, not subjective at all.

I am a 50-year-old female physician with ADD and a young son with severe ADD. This book is amazing. The public gets a skewed and editorial picture of ADD and its treatment. Now we have the concrete information to do a better job of treatment and hopefully dispel the misinformation. There were pieces here that no one else had connected. It also explained why there is so much variety in ADD. WE are not all the same - unlike the stereotypes the lay public has in mind.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Helped Me To Identify My Son's Specific ADD Type

Good day all. I highly recommend this book, especially if you're looking for the latest information on ADD, and the six individual types. I guarantee you that by page 15, you'll have already gotten your money's worth... The book starts off with a bang. The information contained in the book will help you in your self-assessment and information gathering processes; it has been worth the less than $20 price I paid.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Excellent Read for any parent who's child has been diagnosed with ADD

This is an excellent book that goes into great detail about ADD. It's the first book I have read that goes beyond the clinical hyper or inattention aspects of the disorder. It gives parents an excellent resource and peace of mind about how they can successfully help their children.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

The First Book For The ADD-er! The Fog is Gone!

I am a 24 year-old Mechanical Engineer that was having a heck of a time in college, but after self sought treatment got over a 3.5 in my last 2 quarters and graduated with 2.9. I investigated myself during that time. After reading substacial chunks of ADD books, I was still missing an explaination for what was broken (how I was different/similar), and an understanding of my treatment program in comparison with others ADD-ers. Although my treatment made a world of difference, it was not until I read Dr. Amen's 'Healing ADD' (6 types) that I finally realized that the whole process and affliction could be rationalized and simplified so that those of us without a Phd. can see the part that's broken and how it is fixed. Granted ADD not always clear cut, but this book breaks it down so that at the very least it is presented that way. For Example: 'If your ADD brain has this type, part1 is over-stimulated, and part2 is under-stimulated. Since part1 controls this(or that) you would seem like person1... ... For ADD of this type you would take this class of meds, but watch out for the possibiliy of this...' (I promise he makes this more interesting & simple though.) In fact, I found some answers in his book I had yet to discover. Honestly, your psychiatrist might not need to have read this book to treat you, but I wish I had it back then, and I am glad to have it now. Although I am not a mental health professional, I would guess that the presentation style implied would be a useful tool to help the ADD-er identify, and make their ADD and treatment more clear to them. While 4 types may not be in the DSM or accredited by the APA, I would be willing to bet they soon will be! Good Luck, and never give up!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

For Parents, Educators, and Physicians

This book will give the reading an indepth insight into the characteristics of the ADD person. Parents will be better able to understand their ADD child. Teachers can better empathize and adapt their curriculum to their ADD students. Physicians can better advise and direct parents of ADD children. ADD adults can find their type of ADD, learn about it, and then order their life according to their needs. Excellent information for anyone who needs to know more about this subject.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Great read

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Great for those of us with ADD!!!

It is wonderful to find a book and writer who puts ADD in a positive light!!! Living with ADD can be hard for the individual(s) who has it and those whom deal with us. It has allowed our family to understand our ADD w/o the negativity that is associated with it. We can see the brain and understand that our brain is different. I would say read this book even if you don't have ADD, it will help you understand people with ADD. As Galileo Galilei said, "All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them."

Interesting!

The ideas are certainly interesting, but they are too neat and tidy for the real world. I think books like this complicate things and make ADHD more mysterious and complex than it really is.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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