What You Thought Was a Diagnosis May Be Your Greatest Strength
July 6, 2015
This provocative book puts forward a thesis that some may find reassuring but others will find problematic: that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can be beneficial as well as detrimental. Psychiatrist Archer, who realized he had the condition while researching and writing his 2013 bestseller, Better Than Normal, claims that it helped him achieve success, and that he's not alone: JetBlue founder David Neelman, Cisco CEO John Chambers, Sir Richard Branson, NFL quarterback Dave Krieg, and pop vocalists Pink and Adam Levine all have ADHD. According to Archer, possible benefits include the ability to work under pressure, rebound from crises, multitask, and conceive of ideas outside the box. Part I of the book provides historical, genetic, and pathological context, Part II focuses on the so-called "ADHD advantages" in more detail, and Part III connects them to entrepreneurship, athletics, and interpersonal experiences. Part I also contains the most potentially controversial material: Archer's recommendation that ADHD sufferers and their guardians avoid managing the condition with medication and instead follow a "skills, not pills" approach. At its best, however, the book provides potentially helpful advice on how ADHD's most challenging aspects can be repurposed as strengths.
May 15, 2015
What could be the advantage of a diagnosis of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)? Psychiatrist Archer (Better Than Normal) shares his experiences in living with and treating thousands of patients with the condition. He also includes the accounts of other innovative self-starters; highly successful individuals who just happened to have been diagnosed with ADHD. Most of those profiled use little or no medications to suppress their symptoms. In Part 1, Archer explores the common myths about ADHD and its diagnosis, medications, characteristics, and learning styles; Part 2 is about discovering the strengths within a diagnosis; and Part 3 describes how the strengths can create achievement. Each chapter closes with a "toolkit" highlighting the key points within the section. Archer ends with comments from some of the accomplished individuals he has encountered over the years and their distinct insights into living with and succeeding with ADHD. VERDICT Archer's inspiring book presents a new, positive, and forward-thinking view of ADHD, how it's diagnosed, and how much and when medication is beneficial. Intended for those with a diagnosis, their parents, partners, teachers, and caregivers, this title will be an excellent addition to any self-help/ADHD collection.--Lisa Jordan, Johnson Cty. Lib., Overland Park, KS
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