annotated source list on adult adhd
I got kind of sick of the ADHD books because so many of them are
repetitive and are written as though the reader is dumb (probably just
my reaction to something written for people known to have short
attention span). Also, I am not on the “ADHD is a Gift” bandwagon. I
don’t need to hear how special and creative I am. I need to figure out
how to get my work done and hold life together. So, with that
prelude… an annotated list.
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BOOKS
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Delivered from Distraction: Getting the Most out of Life with Attention
Deficit Disorder By Edward M. Hallowell, M.D., John J. Ratey, M.D.
— Hallowell is on the ADHD is a Gift train, so I find his work a tad
annoying. HOWEVER, I have heard from soooo many people (who aren’t
as frustrated/bitter/pessimistic/realistic?) as me that this book
saved their lives.
Journeys Through ADDulthood: Discover a New Sense of Identity and
Meaning with Attention Deficit Disorder by Sari Solden
— This is a very helpful book. Instead of telling you all about what
ADHD is (which you already know all too well), it kind of guides you
through some of the emotional and mental pitfalls and minefields
that come up after diagnosis (even for years after…I probably need
to revisit it). There’s a grief process and stages of coming to
terms with suddenly having a “new story” for the trajectory of your
life. No, really, “one day” I will not magically be able to work,
feed myself, AND clean my house. Current capabilities are it. This
is not a fun or happy book (at least it wasn’t for me), but it was
important to have it pointed out that I have to change my life
expectations, self-assessment criteria, goals, ways of approaching
things, and aspects of self-identity in order to proceed and have
any chance at peace/contentment. And to have the affirmation that
I’m not a loser/slacker for finding this all hard and painful. I
haven’t failed because my life isn’t suddenly well put together. It
is a long, difficult process to come to terms with and figure out
how to deal with and work around deficits and yes, capitalize on
what your particular ADHD brain does spectacularly well.
Integrative Treatment for Adult ADHD: A Practical, Easy-To-Use Guide for
Clinicians (Paperback) by Ari Tuckman
— My other favorite. Learn what an ADHD Coach would tell you without
paying for an ADHD coach. And, *gasp* it cites its assertions.
You Mean I’m Not Lazy, Stupid or Crazy?!: The Classic Self-Help Book for
Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder by Kate Kelly and Peggy Ramundo
— Of all the books offering life strategies for ADHD adults I have
read, I found this one the least patronizing (despite the title). My
sense is that it also covers more information.
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THE WEB
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As per usual, there are some gems amongst the crap:
CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity
Disorder)
http://www.chadd.org/
I inadvertently socially surrounded myself with ADHD people without
knowing I (or most of them) had ADHD. They were interesting and talked
fast enough to hold my attention… ;-p Apparently some ADHD people are
not so fortunate and feel very alone. CHADD offers ways to connect with
other ADHD people.
There are:
- local chapters
- summer camps
- national and regional conferences
- parent to parent program
- online communities
They also have:
– referrals to coaches, counselors, and meds doctors.
– a print magazine
– activism
– research
– (plus a lot of the same basic info you find everywhere)
ADDitude: Living well with ADD and learning disabilities
http://www.additudemag.com/
Lots of stuff on ADHD in adults and in children.
– another print magazine
– lots of online feature stories (I think of it as the Real Simple magazine of
the ADHD world.)
– Topical blogs (ADHD parenting, ADHD college, Adult ADHD, Treating ADHD)
– more online communities/forums
– directory of medical professionals, schools/camps, coaches,
ADD-friendly products
If trying medication:
1. Go to a specialist if possible. Family doctors do not have the time
to keep up with the forefront of research on ADHD treatment.
2. Do your own research. See list below.
– National Library of Medicine’s Drug Information Portal
Highly recommended starting point.
One stop source for the following information on over 12,000 drugs:
- Medline drug information
- Medline consumer health information
- Manufacturer drug label
- Clinical trials
- References to medical and toxicological journal articles
- Toxicological/chemical profiles
– Adverse Event Reporting System (AERS)
http://www.fda.gov/cder/aers/default.htm
The Adverse Event Reporting System (AERS) is a computerized information
database designed to support the FDA’s post-marketing safety
surveillance program for all approved drug and therapeutic biologic
products.
– National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
http://nccam.nih.gov/
Authoritative information.
— Librarian’s Internet Index
http://www.lii.org/pub/topic/drugs contains links to many trusted, high
quality sites about drugs/medications, conditions, health topics in general.
3. After I do the real research, I like to check out the candid and
personal accounts given on CrazyMeds.
http://www.crazymeds.us/
