In years past, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) was thought to be only a child hood disease, children with ADHD were believed to always be hyperactive, and ADHD was thought to be a disability. Over the last few years, mental health research has made great strides in understanding the ADHD mind. We have learned that ADHD is not a disability but a set of genetic traits, ADHD does not stop at childhood, and that ADHD comes with as many potential benefits as it does drawbacks. These are just a few of the lessons we have learned. Whether you are an adult with ADHD or a family member of a person with ADHD, these five books are essential for your personal library and understanding ADHD. 

I attribute Driven to Distraction for literally saving my life. When harnessed correctly, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can bring many benefits. However, it is very difficult to learn how to harness ADHD's benefits, if you do not know that you have it. This is exactly where I was before reading Driven to Distraction by John Ratey.

I grew up believing that mental health was an overused field. I was taught that psychiatrists and therapists only made money when they had people to treat, so they were creating conditions and mental health problems to keep themselves in a job. I was taught that mental health conditions were just a symptom of someon who had not learned to cope. These beliefs caused me years of pain and lost opportunities. The more I experienced issues with organization, staying on track, prioritizing tasks, etc., the more I believed the problem was me. This led to frustration, loss of self esteem, and feeling that I could not do anything right.

This all changed the day I was introduced to John Ratey's book. I was working in the Situation Room for the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. A coworker and I were working the night shift. Like usual, it was a slow night. We had plenty of time to talk. My coworker sat at a computer across the room monitoring the news and talking. I was doing my usual flight of the bumble bee. I was running between three computers where I had three new projects up. These were not mandatory, or even assigned projects, they were things that I thought would be nice to have, however, I was working like the deadline was only a few hours away.

I would soon realize how much one question can change your life. My co-worker turned to me and asked, "Have you ever been tested for ADHD?" Instantly, my mind and my mouth passed first, second, and third gear, and went straight for overdrive. I explained that ADHD did not exist. ADHD was a mental condition that had been trumped up by mental health professionals. My co-worker was very patient. She explained that she had worked with school children to test them for ADHD. Then came the question that would change my life, "Do you have an open mind?" My co-worker asked it non-chalantly. Of course I said yes. She asked me to buy Driven to Distraction, read it, and tell her what I think.

I always have loved a good challenge. I accepted my co-workers proposition. I truly believed that after reading the book, I would have a stronger argument about why ADHD did not exist. Before I went home, I stopped by a local bookstore and purchased Driven to Distraction. After reading a few pages, I could not put it down. Within the first chapter, my life had begun to change. I read a page that described the symptoms experienced by one adult with ADHD. It chronociled the person's issues with organization, how their mind was constantly changing, they were always "scanning" their environment to the detriment of other activities.

My jaw hit the floor. I read this page again. I laid the book down on my coffee table. I walked around my living room several times scratching my chin. I could not believe it. I needed a second opinion. I took the book into my wife. She was pulling some food out of the refrigerator. I handed her the book. The book was open to the page that I had been reading. I asked her not to look at the cover and only read this one page. She read the page. I watched as her expression changed and her eyes lit up. She looked at me and said, "This page is talking about you! What is this book about?" I explained to her that it was about ADHD. By the end of the day, I had made an appointment with a psychiatrist.

Driven to Distraction is not number one on my list simply because it changed my life. Driven to Distraction offers a complete description of ADHD. Dr. John Ratey's writing style is not medical in nature. Dr. Ratey avoids using unnecessary legal jargon. He explains ADHD in a way that anyone can understand. As an adult living with ADHD, Dr. Ratey is acutely aware of the misunderstandings that Adults with ADHD face. He explains these societal misunderstandings and offers the reality along with the underlying science.

Add in excerpt from the book

Society holds many misconceptions about ADHD. Few areas hold as many misconceptions as the origins of ADHD. Some people believe that ADHD may be caused by playing video games, watching too much TV, or even movies. Others believe that ADHD is a childhood condition that disappears at adulthood. The Edison Gene offers an more scientific and more realistic explanation of ADHD's origins.

ADHD has been around as long as humans. The Edison Gene explains that ADHD is not a mental disorder. ADHD is actually a set of genetic traits that were necessary in past societies. Dr. Hartman uses hunter/gatherer societies to illustrate this. Gatherers needed the ability to be happy spending long hours gathering berries. Later, they would need this patience to tend crops. Hunters needed a much different set of traits. Hunters had to be able to look past the risk and chase a bear, tiger, or lion into the jungle. They had to constantly "scan" their surroundings. Without this scanning ability, another animal would be able to sneak up on them.

The Edison Gene explains that ADHD is not a mental condition. The genetic traits of ADHD have not disappeared. Societies circumstances have changed. Dr. Hartman explains that societies quickly move from the hunter/gatherer stage to agricultural based societies. These societies place more importance on patience and tending crops. Lessening the importance of the risk tolerant, aggressive traits of hunters. As society contiunues to evolve, we move into the industrial age. Society now depends more on being able to stand at a machine, spend all day on a phone, or in a cubicle. These situations cause ADHD traits to be seen more as a mental disorder because you do not see the world the same as most of society.

The Edison Gene is crucial to harnessing the power of ADHD. An ADHD diagnosis brings with it a flood of emotions like fear, confusion, misunderstanding, and even depression. These emotions are brought about by misunderstanding. The Edison Gene provides insight into the origins of ADHD and the positive traits ADHD brings with it. ADHD brings with it traits that, when properly harnessed, can catapult you to heights few people dream of. For example, ADHD's ability to look past risk explains why many successful entrepenneurs are also living with ADHD. 

After reading The Edison Gene, I possessed a greater understanding of myself and how my mind works. I had allowed myself to get bogged down in society's view of ADHD. I had started to believe that I may not be able to be "normal". This book helped me learn that ADHD is not a disability but a gift. It helped me identify the traits that will help me be successful. Anyone with ADHD or that loves someone with ADHD needs to read this book. It will help you identify how to harness your differences to live a successful life.

ADHD brings with it a multitude of questions. When I was first diagnosed, I questioned everything about my life. I wanted to know, "Would I have to be on medicine for the rest of my life?", "Which of my habits and traits are due to ADHD?", "Will I be able to hold a job?", "Will I be able to lead a successful life?" The third book in our list answers many of these questions.

Answers to Distraction is the third book by Drs. John Ratey and Edward Halliwell. I bought the book because of my enjoyment of their first book, Driven to Distraction. Drs. Hallowell and Ratey also are uniquely qualified to not only answer questions about but also know which questions people with ADHD ask. They are both medical doctors that were diagnosed with ADHD. This has led them to establish a center for ADHD and spend their careers researching ADHD.

Answers to Distraction is written with the ADHD Adult in mind. You do not have to read the book straight through. Answers to Distraction is organized by categories of Frequently Asked Questions such as:

• You Mean There's Actually a Name For It - Towards a definition of ADHD.
• Work Smarter, Not Just Harder - ADHD and Work
• Making Up Your Mind - New Tips on the Nonmedication Treatment of Adult ADD.
• You Are My Sunshine - ADD in couples.
  

These are just a few of the categories in Answers to Distraction. This book should be on every person with ADHD's shelf. It helps explain how our minds work and is written by authors who truly understand what we are going through.

Learning is the basis of American life. As our country moves from an industrial to knowledge based society, success is no longer measured in how many hours you work. Being able to stand at a machine for 16 hours a day and make parts no longer guarantees a job. Too many employers do not care how long you have worked for them or how loyal you have been. Staying consistently employed and making a living for your family is dependent on how much knowledge you have and how you can apply that knowledge. Learn More Now is directly related to these needs.

Learn More Now is the first non-ADHD book on my list. However, Learn More Now provides valuable information to assist you in learning and applying new skills. I have found that the more I learn about myself, the more I am able to harnessing the hidden gifts of ADHD. A large part of this knowledge comes from reading and researching ADHD itself. Another part of this knowledge is learning more about the other parts of my life.

Not everyone is motivated by the same things. Everything we do is because we are motivated to do it. Often, we do not even think about what is motivating us. Motivation becomes important we are faced with a task that we are not interested in. Learning whether you are goal, relationship, or learning motivated? Learn More Now does not just identify your motivational style, it also provides style specific coping mechanisms. These mechanisms will help you identify ways to harness your motivational style to learn more and get more done.

Healing ADD