Myomancy ADHD, Dyslexia and Autism

Out of the Fog: Treatment Options and Coping Strategies for Adult Attention Deficit Disorders

Kevin R. Murphy

$3.67 via Amazon

People who have brought this book wrote:

After completing this review, I realized that if you have ADHD (like me), you may need to take a break in order to make it through to the end.
I am experienced reader of books on the subject of ADHD. The first thing I noticed about the book was the small font and paragraphs which extended very close to the edge of the pages. This is not ADHD-friendly. That said, an effort is made to use summary paragraphs. However, as most all ADHD books feature blocking information, summarizing, and reviewing. I tend to expect this rather than appreciate it. Another feature of the book which threw me off (repeatedly): randomly placed (long and winding) case studies (e.g. "Amy had just been diagnosed ...).
Per the DSM IV, "ADHD" is the proper term and covers three sub-types. The term ADD is no longer used (it's a sub-type under "ADHD"). The author explains this and then, states: "In the interest of simplicity, we will use the term ADD to refer to all three forms." I stopped and scratched my head ... does he believe his reader base to be so inattentive as to render them unable to deal with an extra letter to describe the very condition about which the book is written? That leads to the second question, does simplicity really call for the incorrect labeling of the subject matter of you book? Lastly, even before the DSM IV change, "ADD" as a label leaves out hyperactivity (and combined) - making it simple, but wrong. Why not refer to it properly and in doing so, encompass the entirety of those with the DSM IV's definition of ADHD?
Okay, this guy is old school and wants to save "H" for "simplicity" of reading. I moved on. Shortly thereafter, I got the sensation that I needeed to break out the pom-poms. I don't read about my ADHD to learn all the "wonderful" things I can accomplish despite my condition. At this point, I was becoming impatient. I flipped to the front of the book and noted it is still on the first version which is dated 1995. I knew the medication chapter should make for some useless reading. I had to flip to the chapter covering medication to find out just how useless. As expected, the chapter is pitifully outdated. Without getting specific, I will just let you know that the chapter spends most of its time on Ritalin as the AD(H)D medication and Prozac as a good anti-depressant. Don't waste your time. "Scattered Minds" by Adler (2006) offers medication information to such a greater extent, that fact alone would justify choosing "Scattered Minds" over "Out of the Fog" if you had only once choice.
So, why the 3 stars - kinda high based on my gripes, huh? I set aside my "ADD" label annoyance, worked through the small font and crammed pages, long and winding case studies, and woefully outdated medicaion infomation. What I found is this book offers very useful coping strategies for Adult ADHD. The book also does an excellent job of identifying problems ADHD creates (which leads to the coping advice). The author knows the subject very well. In this regard, the book is better than average.
I have to mention the book's information regarding how to cope with everyday life. You need to take advantage of technology's cutting edge equipment: "computers, fax machines, calculators, and voicemail." Wow. The calculator? It sure is an improvement over that time-intensive abacus.
Those with ADHD will find the layout of this book poor to the point to classify it as a non-starter. If you desire to understand a loved-one's condition, you would certainly benefit from the information (except medication and technology) provided. If you are looking to get your ADHD life under control, I suggest "10 Simple Solution to Adult ADD" (Sarkis, 2005) because it is laid out with the intended audience in mind. It is a quick hitting, information intensive read. (Yes, Sarkis also calls it ADD - oh well.)

Buy this Book