Driven to distraction
by Edward M. Hallowell, John J. Ratey · first published 1994
81% recommend17% neutral2% critical
Why HN recommends it
Accessible overview of adult ADHD mixing case studies, personal accounts and some technical detail. Readers say it helped them make sense of their lives and seek an evaluation. Suits newly curious adults.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
Adults and children relate their experiences with ADD, or Attention Deficit Disorder which is an inborn neurological problem.
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Mentions per year
What Hacker News says
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…it is hard to do any activity, unless is urgent (e.g. deadline). Anything for "some time" (or "tomorrow") is going to stay that way. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLkOZhROvA4 ... Also, I recommend "Driven to Distraction: Recognizing and Coping with Attention Deficit Disorder" by Edward Hallowell and John Ratey. I discovered this book thanks to HN and a post about dyslexia. The book shows quite a few stories of adults…
on “Procrastination is about managing emotions, not time” ↗…that could possibly keep their children from being A students. To say the very least, I was skeptical. When I finally began learning about ADD, I was startled by how standard my story was. Reading Driven To Distraction was a watershed experience for me; at times I was convinced that they had simply copy-and-pasted my academic transcript: "Dreamer," "Has a creative mind that would produce incredible results if he applied…
on “Evidence That ADHD Is a Genetic Disorder” ↗…whole perspective about running a small business, especially when you read yourself on the pages. Also there is one book which I don't think everybody should read but was truly life changing for me was Driven to distraction. It helped me get a evaluation and understand that ADHD is a very real thing (real as something which Doctors can spot on a MRI and it's not something you can overcome with strong will and determination).
on “Ask HN: What is one book you would recommend everyone to read?” ↗…least as equally unkind. There's a lot to unpack from your comment to which I'd like to respond but given how long it's taken me to even sit down to write this, I will limit myself to urging you to read "Driven to Distraction: Recognizing and Coping with Attention Deficit Disorder from Childhood Through Adulthood" by Edward M. Hallowell & John J. Ratey (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/108593.Driven_to_Distrac...). One…
on “When starting school, younger children are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD” ↗…practical advice on how to manage ADD. Three I have found particularly useful are ADD Friendly Ways to Organize Your Life by Judith Kohlberg http://www.amazon.com/ADD-Friendly-Ways-Organize-Your-Life/d... Driven To Distraction by Edward M. Hallowell http://www.amazon.com/Driven-Distraction-Recognizing-Attenti... Healing ADD by Dr. Daniel Amen http://www.amazon.com/Healing-ADD-Breakthrough-Program-Allow...
on “Hyperbrain Owner's Manual - 1. the big picture” ↗…Folks don't like telling their story. Feel free to email me if you want. I'll try to update this as the thread goes. 1. Spark the science of exercise by John Ratey (great read by someone who has ADHD) 2. Driven To Distraction : Recognizing and Coping with Attention Deficit Disorder from Childhood Through Adulthood by Ed Hallowell and John Ratey.
on “Ask HN: If you have ADHD, what are your strategies to deal with it?” ↗I humbly submit that many folks "driven by distraction" may have an attention deficit disorder. The creative sorts described in the article strike me as people with AD/HD. "Driven to Distraction" by Drs. Hallowell and Ratey [0] changed my life. The big moment for me was learning that AD/HD doesn't mean that you can't pay attention ... it's that you have little conscious control over where your…
on “Creative Genius Driven by Distraction” ↗Read "Driven to Distraction" by Hollowell and Ratey. I burst into tears on the second page.
on “Are Multiple Personalities Always a Disorder?” ↗…from reality. Doing a bit of research and reading about ADHD from the perspective of people who had it (as opposed to the perspective of, say, teachers dealing with ADHD students) really helped. I found Driven to Distraction[1] a particularly good overview, with a lot of insights and stories that resonated with me 100%. Since getting diagnosed, things have gotten much better. Just knowing about it was a real relief and let…
on “What Is Mind-Wandering and How You Use It to Your Advantage?” ↗…Imposter Syndrom. Why do I bring ADHD? Because you are a jack of all trades[1], experience FOMO, work at startups, and are concerned with not doing things "the proper way". Been there, done that. There is "Driven to Distraction" book by Hallowell & Ratay (https://www.amazon.com/Driven-Distraction-Revised-Recognizin...), which deals with ADHD in adults. This type of behavior is common. The crucial thing is to accept that one…
on “Ask HN: FOMO by working in startups only vs. Big companies” ↗…But being "underwatered" is not a positive state of affairs. If you would like to read further about ADHD/ADD (particularly the under-diagnosed "Primary Inattentive" subtype) I recommend considering "Driven to Distraction (Revised/Second Edition): Recognizing and Coping with Attention Deficit Disorder" by Edward Hallowell and John Ratey. One of the aspects I particularly appreciate is how much emphasis they put on the…
on “Early riser or night owl? New study may help to explain the difference” ↗I agree, two good books on techniques for helping you manage issues related to ADD are Driven To Distraction by Edward M. Hallowell http://www.amazon.com/Driven-Distraction-Recognizing-Attenti... Healing ADD by Dr. Daniel Amen http://www.amazon.com/Healing-ADD-Breakthrough-Program-Allow...
on “Do you know any programmers who exhibit these personality traits?” ↗…isn't a clear cut sign that you have AD(H)D, as they may have entirely different causes. Slightly unrelated, but if anyone is interested in reading more about the topic, Edward Hallowell's 1994 book Driven to Distraction is a seminal book on the topic and includes some of the classic signs used to analyze the condition. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Driven_to_Distraction His 2005 follow-up Delivered from Distraction,…
on “Seeking an Objective Test for Attention Disorder” ↗This is a really common symptom of adult ADD/ADHD. I highly recommend the book Driven to Distraction. It helped me make sense of a lot of aspects of my life that I just couldn't understand before. http://www.amazon.com/Driven-Distraction-Recognizing-Attenti...
on “Depression, Burn Out and Writing Code” ↗…more information about the disorder. If you suspect you might have it, it's worth going to see a psychiatrist or psychologist; if you don't really have that kind of time or cash, then buy or borrow "Driven to Distraction", which has a section devoted to figuring out whether you have it. Even if you don't, reading the book will probably still give you some insight into your own personal habits!
on “Evidence That ADHD Is a Genetic Disorder” ↗