Attention Deficit Disorder A Professional's Guide [Paperback]

Having struggled with this condition, I was heartened to read a book by two professionals who really do understand ADD. A good example is they state, unambiguously: "for the ADDer, procrastination is a way of life". I definitely concur, having endlessly repeated the following cycle:

1. I put things off.

2. The pressure builds, until I reach a state of adrenalized hyperfocus.

3. I'm able to get things done.

4. Finally, I begin the cycle again.

I used to tell people I had to "sweat blood" when getting my college degrees--it was the only way to get them to understand I was having a "rough go of it". The authors describe an almost identical pattern (although, for younger students), but where I used the not-so-over-the-top hyperbole "sweat blood", they exercise restraint, saying only "[ADD] students report stress".

This book is compact, and easily readable by the layperson. However, the reader should be aware that its highly professional tone is achieved, at least at times, by using understated language.

The chapter on social skills describes a pattern that fit me "to a T". I was a disaster in a team sport, but did marvelously well in an individual sport. This lifted my confidence, and I began to fit in with my peers. On a less happy note, the authors also describe a pattern of taunting, or bullying, of ADDers who unfortunately, don't fit in. The Sosins' strongly recommend that teachers intervene, and, in '96, were ahead of their time. (A consensus has developed that nearly all of the 12 perpetrators in the recent school shootings were targeted by bullies--its not known how many had ADD.)

I was the least comfortable with the chapter on famous ADDers. Though most of the people included probably had ADD, expectations can be raised way too high. People expect a dynamic genius, and in walks a kid who unprofessionally could be described as a "geek" (or professionally as "lacks the social graces"). Interestingly, the authors name Sylvester Stallone and Mozart among famous ADDers. Although quite different, both the movies Rocky and Amadeus uncannily depict manifestations of ADD. In the movie Rocky, Stallone projected an inarticulate hurt that won the audience over, while in Amadeus, Mozart was portrayed as brilliant, hyper, and dislikable. Perhaps the greatest tragedy of ADD is that the warm, intelligent person who lives within is seldom seen by his fellows. However, the Sosins are definitely "right on" when they say the most important thing is to avoid breaking the ADDer's spirit, because he or she may one day benefit us all.

Authors' credentials:

David Sosin M.D: Graduated from Princeton, NJ, with honors, attended NYU Medical School, internship: John Hopkins Hospital, post-doctoral research fellow at Yale, psychiatrist with many years ADD experience. Has ADD, briefly described in first chapter, has son with ADD.

Myra Sosin: Graduated from Douglass College, NJ, Masters Degree: Kean College, NJ, certified language development specialist, high school English teacher, writer of numerous articles on ADD. One of Dr. David & Myra Sosins' sons has ADD.