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Driven to Distraction (Abridged): Recognizing and Coping with Attention Deficit Disorder from Childhood Through Adulthood Audiobook, by John J. Ratey Play Audiobook Sample

Driven to Distraction (Abridged): Recognizing and Coping with Attention Deficit Disorder from Childhood Through Adulthood Audiobook

Driven to Distraction (Abridged): Recognizing and Coping with Attention Deficit Disorder from Childhood Through Adulthood Audiobook, by John J. Ratey Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Edward M. Hallowell Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 1.33 hours at 1.5x Speed 1.00 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: March 1995 Format: Abridged Audiobook ISBN: 9780743519076

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

2

Longest Chapter Length:

61:25 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

56:29 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

58:57 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

9

Other Audiobooks Written by John J. Ratey: > View All...

Publisher Description

THE NATIONAL AUDIO BESTSELLER

Procrastination. Disorganization. Distractibility. Millions of adults have long considered these the hallmarks of a lack of self-discipline. But for many, these and other problems in school, at work and in social relationships are actually symptoms of an inborn neurological problem: ADD, or Attention Deficit Disorder.

Through vivid stories of the experiences of their patients -- both adults and children -- Dr. Edward R. Hallowell and Dr. John J. Ratey show the varied forms ADD takes -- from the hyperactive search for high stimulation to the floating inattention of daydreaming -- and the transforming impact of precise diagnosis and treatment.

Driven to Distraction is a must listen for everyone intrigued by the workings of the human mind.

Download and start listening now!

"Excellent overview of learning differences as they relate to ADD. Much more positive perspective on a common challenge among men and women today. I really appreciate the author's honesty and strength based approach to managing the issues related to ADD and other learning differences. Teachers really, REALLY need to read this and start to think OUTSIDE the box in terms of teaching. Sad part is realizing this won't happen in my child's lifetime--it only happened once--in Kindergarten where he had the most amazing teacher on this planet--thank you Ms. Tsang for allowing me to continue to hope there could be more of you out there teaching the next generation!"

— Sandy (5 out of 5 stars)

Quotes

  • “A very readable, highly informative and helpful book.” 

    — New York Times Book Review  
  • “The first comprehensive book on the subject for the lay reader.” 

    — Boston Globe
  • “This clear and valuable book dispels a variety of myths about attention deficit disorder.” 

    — Amazon.com, editorial review
  • “This is an absorbing look at current efforts to understand troubling and exasperating behaviors.” 

    — Booklist 

Driven to Distraction Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 4.135135135135135 out of 54.135135135135135 out of 54.135135135135135 out of 54.135135135135135 out of 54.135135135135135 out of 5 (4.14)
5 Stars: 15
4 Stars: 14
3 Stars: 6
2 Stars: 2
1 Stars: 0
Narration: 4.5 out of 54.5 out of 54.5 out of 54.5 out of 54.5 out of 5 (4.50)
5 Stars: 1
4 Stars: 1
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 4.5 out of 54.5 out of 54.5 out of 54.5 out of 54.5 out of 5 (4.50)
5 Stars: 1
4 Stars: 1
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Story Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    — Tyler Ware, 5/4/2017
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Story Rating: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " After listening to this book, I have a better understanding of ADHD. I was recently diagnosed with ADD and I want to understand it more. If you are looking for a book to help you understand some of the signs and want to understand yourself and/or others this would be a good book to get. "

    — Jeffrey, 3/8/2017
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Given to me by a coworker. A good read about ADD, anchored by a lot of patient narratives. I would recommend this to anyone who knows someone who has been diagnosed with the condition. "

    — Andy, 2/18/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Great for adults trying to make sense of own experiences as an adult child with attention deficit disorder "

    — Kimberly, 2/18/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Admittedly, I never finished this book. However, the book was good for giving me some insight into and compassion for the workings of the ADHD mind. "

    — Juliana, 2/7/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I read this book probably about 13 years ago when my young son was being labeled ADD/ADHD. It was a good read on the subject matter. It is very good for someone who is new to understanding what goes on in the mind of an ADD individual. "

    — Adrienne, 2/1/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " helped me understand my ex-husband... "

    — Amy-Karen, 1/28/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Took me seven years to read this, once I did it changed my life. "

    — Noah, 1/25/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " so distracted...couldn't finish it... "

    — Bert, 1/18/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Hallowell has ADHD himself. He understands the pitfalls of the disorder and argues that those with ADHD possess inherent strengths as well. A must read for teachers and parents. "

    — Tess, 1/12/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " The best book written about ADD and ADHD. Helped me to understand what my son was going through. "

    — Chris, 1/10/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " best book on adult diagnosis of ADD that I've seen "

    — Maggie, 12/31/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Well researched and written by two doctors who have ADD themselves. This book was very enlightening and thorough and includes a lot of resources and information that goes far beyond what most people know about ADD. Highly recommended for anyone who thinks they have it or loves someone who does. "

    — Indra, 12/30/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Great information reminded me of why I do what I do. "

    — Grace, 12/28/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Very informative! I really learned a great deal about ADHD, how it's diagnosed, and how it's treated. The real-life stories made the book more interesting. "

    — Melita, 12/17/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Lovedlovedloved this book! "

    — Leslie, 12/14/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Even though this is an older book, it is still very relevant. Through the case studies I found comparisons to my difficulty at certain tasks, projects and relationships. I found strategies that I am implement to help me overcome some of these issues. "

    — David, 12/11/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " brilliant book for anyone who has ADD or anyone who knows some one who has. "

    — Frank, 10/26/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " For someone who has had ADHD his whole life without knowing. Driven to Distraction helped me explain what was going on inside, while not making me feel alone. "

    — Mark, 5/28/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This book changed my life just by giving a name to something I thought was just the way things were. To say I feel relieved is an understatement. "

    — Kayla, 3/18/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Very good but if you have ADHD I would direct you to purchase Dr. Hallowells other book called "Delivered from Distraction" as I think it's got more great info for those suffering with it. "

    — Monica, 2/27/2013
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Recommended from my doctor and an easy read. A good place to start. "

    — Ckrippner, 10/17/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " took awhile to get 'into' this book...but good insight into ADD/ADHD "

    — Cindi, 6/27/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I diagnosed myself with Adult ADHD after reading this. My son said, "Anyone who sits next to you for 5 minutes could have told you that." Apparently, I never sat still for 5 minutes with anyone. The book has a lot of padding and repetition, but the nuggets are there. "

    — Ethlie, 2/27/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Oh my gosh...if I had only known years ago! This book was the story of my life! I will read it again and again! "

    — Carolyn, 2/26/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Excellent! One of the definitive books on ADHD. Even my ADHD husband really liked it a LOT. We will buy this book. "

    — Mindy, 6/6/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " brilliant book for anyone who has ADD or anyone who knows some one who has. "

    — Frank, 2/1/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Nearly 20 years old and still have some wonderful, fascinating information about ADD, which is still widely misunderstood. I wish people--especially within the school districts--studied the disorder more to help kids who struggle with it. "

    — Barb, 1/25/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Very thorough and informative, although I had trouble staying focused at times (and I got a bit tired of the nearsightedness metaphor). "

    — Kathy, 1/12/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A very helpful and eye-opening book about what I've been dealing with for years, but didn't understand before. Now I feel I have more of a direction to follow. I do wish more of it were geared toward young children in particular, but I think the section for that was helpful. "

    — Elizabeth, 1/1/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " very helpful in understanding the symptoms, impact and treatment of ADD while being very readable. "

    — Deirdre, 12/2/2010
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Would recommend this book for anyone who has questions about ADHD "

    — Susan, 11/7/2010
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I can't help but wish I had read this book sooner. Revelatory is probably a good word. "

    — Laura, 10/14/2010
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Published in 1994, so outdated, although some good info. I especially like the optimistic tone. "

    — doug, 9/26/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " The book I've been waiting for all my life. Does an excellent job of describing the problems faced by adults with attention-deficit disorder. The author (a fellow sufferer) writes with enormous compassion and clarity. "

    — Elaine, 9/19/2010
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Though a bit dated, this book is still quite an informative look at what it's like to live with ADHD. For anyone new to ADHD, whether afflicted with it or knowing someone who is, it gives a good, basic understanding of the underlying issues that make ADHD such a challenge to those close to it. "

    — John, 7/22/2010
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Did not read entire book. Wanted to get a better understanding of ADD and it helped. "

    — Madeline, 6/30/2010

About the Authors

Dr. John Ratey is a clinical professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. He is the author of numerous bestselling and groundbreaking books, including Driven to Distraction and A User’s Guide to the Brain. He lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where he has a private practice.

Edward M. Hallowell, MD, author and psychiatrist for adults and children, was an instructor at Harvard Medical School for over twenty years. He is now the director of the Hallowell Center for Cognitive and Emotional Health in New York City and Sudbury, Massachusetts. He is the author of Crazy Busy and coauthor of Driven to Distraction.