Driven to Distraction by Edward M. Hallowell

Now that we’ve explained what ADD is and how it manifests, let’s discuss how to begin treatment. The authors say it's important to identify and treat secondary symptoms of ADD as well as primary ones because the treatment for the primary symptoms won’t necessarily mitigate the secondary symptoms. Masking involves imitating others to camouflage traits associated with ADHD, like hyperactivity.)

They may also feel like imposters if they try to hide their symptoms of ADHD through masking. (Shortform note: Self-doubt often manifests as imposter syndrome, which can cause people to doubt their abilities and accomplishments and feel like they aren’t as good as others. It can often seem like their world is on the brink of collapse at any given moment, and this can lead to feelings of incompetence and inadequacy. Many people with ADD report feeling like frauds, like they don’t deserve their successes because they should have been able to do better, or like their successes are due to luck or someone else’s hard work. Accommodations may include things like extra time on assignments, fidget devices, and frequent breaks.) Students with ADHD have a legal right to accommodations designed to help them succeed. (Shortform note: People with ADHD are often very intelligent but do poorly in school because the school structure demands behaviors that are particularly difficult for them. Students who struggle with these and other skills required for school are often reprimanded or considered lazy, which can lead to a dislike of school or of learning itself. People with ADD often struggle with tasks others can do easily, like listening in class or staying organized. (Shortform note: Parents of children with ADHD can help them hone their social skills by modeling such skills for them, discussing how they see these skills being used by characters on TV or in movies, role-playing social situations with them, and giving them immediate feedback on their social behaviors.)ĭifficulties in school.

Driven to Distraction by Edward M. Hallowell