Healing ADD: The Breakthrough Program That Allows You to See and Heal the Six Types of ADD

441 Pages·2001·0.67 MB·English

by  Daniel G. Amen

Breakthrough Program
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That Allows You
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to See and Heal
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Daniel Amen,
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PUTNAM
author of Change Your Brain, Change Your life
U.S.A. $27.95
Canada $39.99
“Dr. Amen has captured the essence of ADD with real-
life examples. His treatment program follows a very
holistic, practical approach. I highly recommend this
book to all who want the most up-to-date information on
ADD from one of the most highly regarded neuropsychi­
atrists of our day.”
—William C. Klindt, M.D., child and adolescent
psychiatrist, clinical faculty,
Stanford University School of Medicine
Commonly perceived as a flavor-of-the-month diagnosis,
ADD is, in fact, an enormous health problem that will only
continue to grow. It affects six percent of the population,
yet less than one-third of the afflicted are taking medica­
tion. Why? According to Dr. Daniel Amen, attention deficit
disorder is underdiagnosed, often incorrectly treated, and
poorly understood.
Dr. Amen, board-certified in child, adolescent, and
adult psychiatry and licensed in nuclear brain imaging, has
discovered that there are six types of ADD—not just the
commonly known two. Moreover, the most frequently pre­
scribed treatment—Ritalin—makes four of these types worse.
Dr. Amen’s discovery results from an intensive, years-long
study of brain imaging that has identified the distinctive
brain dysfunctions characterizing each type of ADD.
Dr. Amen’s arresting brain images found throughout
these pages leave no doubt that ADD is a real, biological,
and ultimately treatable disorder. These dramatic images
help sufferers and their families realize this is a medical
problem that can be helped with proper intervention.
Until now, the psychiatric community has not done
enough for people with ADD. The disorder does not
disappear after adolescence, and it is much more complex
than we have been led to believe. With Dr. Amen’s revolu­
tionary approach, readers will learn the full scope of the dis­
ease and its management. Finally, in this book, he identi­
fies six types of ADD:
• Type 1—Classic ADD
• Type 2—Inattentive ADD
• Type 3—Overfocused ADD
• Type 4—Temporal Lobe ADD
• Type 5—Limbic ADD
• Type 6—Ring of Fire ADD
(Continued on back flap)
0102
< Con finned from front flap)
Complete with recommendations for prescription
drugs, nutraceutical therapy, cognitive reprogramming,
parenting and educational strategics, biofeedback, self­
hypnosis, and more, Healing ADD provides readers with a
comprehensive treatment program that can lead to a
normal, peaceful, and fully functional life. This proven
program greatly enhances brain function for each of the six
types of ADD and presents the state-of-the-art treatment
for adults and children alike.
ADD sufferers often say, “The harder I try, the worse it
gets.” Dr. Amen tells them, for the first time, how to get well.
“For patients, parents, and doctors alike, Dr. Amen’s new
book provides a wealth of material on ADD, backed up
with illuminating and helpful brain imaging. Clear and
readable, and a must for understanding this disorder.”
—William R. Collie, M.D.,
Safe Harbor Clinic for Behavioral Medicine
Daniel G. Amen, M.D., is the founder
and director of the Amen Clinics
in Newport Beach and Fairfield,
California. He is the country’s fore­
most pioneer in applying brain-
imaging science to clinical practice,
especially in the area of ADD. Dr.
Amen is an award-winning child and
adult psychiatrist. He is the father of
several children with ADD—all of
whom have benefited from the program in this book. He is
an entertaining and gifted speaker.
Jacket design © 2001 Walter Harper
Photograph of the author © Russ Fiscella
Visit our website at:
www.penguinputnam.com
G. P. PUTNAM’S SONS
a member of
Penguin Putnam Inc.
“Dr. Amen’s revolutionary book, Healing ADD, not only details the complexity of ADD, but
more important, provides a number of practical ways to treat this condition. I strongly urge
anyone with a family member who suffers with ADD to read this book.”
—Barry Sears, Ph.D. author of The Zone
“Dr. Amen’s work in this book is like having a personal tour guide into the uncharted territo­
ries of your brain. He has broken through barriers that, until now, have limited anyone’s abil­
ity to accurately diagnose and treat those suffering from the intricate complexities of ADD.
For anyone seeking real answers, you’ve come to the right place.”
—Demi Moore
“I highly recommend Healing ADD for parents of children with ADD, adults with ADD, ther­
apists, and physicians. The subtypes Dr. Amen has firmly established will help clinicians
everywhere tailor ADD treatments to each and every individual. One size does not fit all.”
—George Delgado, M.D., FAAFP,
associate clinical professor, University of California, Davis
“Daniel Amen’s work in SPECT brain imaging, the first major breakthrough in psychiatry and
psychology of the last fifty years, brings these fields out of the ‘dark ages’ and into partner­
ship with other medical disciplines. He takes complex matters of brain function, and helps
layperson and professional work together as a healing team.”
—Earl R. Henslin, Psy.D., BCETS,
American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress
“Healing ADD should be required reading for all clinicians and educators. Dr Amen’s work
should abolish the notion that ADD is ‘merely a myth.’ His elegant SPECT brain studies
make ADD understandable to a three-year-old and have brought psychiatry from ‘witchcraft’
to neuroscience.”
—Claire Friend, M.D., child and adult psychiatrist
“Dr. Amen’s Healing ADD contains a wealth of startling new insights about ADD. A must read
for every professional in the juvenile justice system. A breakthrough work on diagnosing and
treating ADD, it is certain to be a classic.”
—-Thomas C. Edwards, Judge, Superior Court, State of California
“This book is written in a style as readable for interested health care consumers as it is for
sophisticated clinicians, and is of great value for everyone seeking knowledge in this
challenging field.”
—Corydon G. Clark, M.D., Medical Director, ADD Clinic, Inc.
“Thanks to the cutting-edge work of Dr. Amen, I have at long last been properly
diagnosed with adult ADD, am on the appropriate medication, am working
with an ADD coach, and am seeing each day of my life come more and more into
focus. What an unexpected joy! I recommend this book to anyone who has concerns
with ADD or even the slightest interest in human behavior. ”
— JOAN BAEZ
“Nearly a third of my practice is filled with patients with adult ADD. Dr.
Amen is a courageous pioneer, a conscientious scientist, and a caring physician—
a spectacular combination. ”
— FRANK L. ANNIS, M.D., DIPLOMAT, AMERICAN BOARD
OF PSYCHIATRY AND NEUROLOGY
“Healing ADD provides details on multiple treatment options, including phar­
macological, educational, behavioral, and herbal. It is essential reading for those
ivho treat ADD and those who are directly or indirectly affected by ADD.”
— J. KIRK CLOPTON, M.D., PH.D., DIRECTOR,
GOLDEN HILLS PSYCHIATRY
“Healing ADD is an expert’s vision of a holistic approach to the diagnosis and
treatment of ADD. ”
— ROBERT KOHN, D.O., ASSISTANT CLINICAL PROFESSOR
OF RADIOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS, CHICAGO
“Dr. Amen’s ground-breaking discoveries make the complexities of ADD easy to
understand. His pioneering use of SPECT imaging confirms what expert clini­
cians could only suspect. ADD is not a weakness of human spirit. Readers of his
book will understand how to help themselves, family members, or fellow human
beings. ”
— DENNIS ALTERS, M.D., CHILD, ADOLESCENT, AND ADULT
PSYCHIATRIST; AUTHOR OF WIZARD’S WAY
“With the tremendous research done by Dr. Amen, we can now measure the phys­
iology that has gone wrong and enable patients to take charge of their lives. ”
- RUN<i I*!SPY, tt.C., N.D., 7.0Nli HEALTH ASSOCIATES
“The major importance of Dr. Arnett’s book is that it brings together the anatom­
ical, biological, and neurochemical aspects of ADD, which clearly help to verify
that this is a significant and pervasive disorder of childhood, adolescence, and
even adulthood. ”
— JOEL F. LUBAR, PH.D., PROFESSOR, THE UNIVERSITY
OF TEXAS, KNOX VII.LIS
“Once again challenging older concepts about attention deficit disorder, Dr. Amen
writes with a clarity, simplicity, and passion I have come to admire. Healing
ADD is a worthy extension Change Your Brain, Change Your Life."
— TERENCE F. McGUIRE , M.D., PS Yt.'H IATH 1ST
“Dr. Amen has taken a unique and useful approach in Healing ADD. Pro­
viding good direction for designing an effective treatment program, this will he a
tremendous aide in understanding and managing the complex needs of those with
ADD. An excellent book for clinicians, patients, and their families."
— RICHARD GILBERT, M.D., PSYCHIATRIST
Other Books by Daniel G. Amen, M.D.
Change your Brain. Change your Lite
New Skills ftor Frazzled Parents
Wouldyou Give Two Minutes a Day to a lifetime of Love?
Coaching yourself to Success
Firestorms in the Brain: An Inside Look at Violence
Secrets oh Successful Students
ADD and Intimate Relationships
A Teenager's Guide to ADD
A Child's Guide to ADD
A Sibling’s Guide to ADD
A Teacher's Guide to ADD
The Breakthrough Program
That Allows You to See
and Heal the Six Types of
Attention Deficit Disorder
Daniel G. Amen, M.D.
(, I' I'll I NAM'X SONS ■ NI'W \ 0 H K
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in rhis book
is complete and accurate. However, neither the publisher nor the author is en­
gaged in rendering professional advice or services to the individual reader. The
ideas, procedures, and suggestions contained in this book are nor intended as a
substitute for consulting with your physician. All matters regarding health re­
quire medical supervision. Neither rhe author nor the publisher shall be liable or
responsible for any loss, injury, or damage allegedly arising from any information
or suggestion in this book.
G. P. Putnam’s Sons
Publishers Since 1838
a member of
Penguin Putnam Inc.
375 Hudson Street
New York, NY 10014
Copyright © 2001 by Daniel G. Amen
All rights reserved. This book, or parts theteof, may not
be reproduced in any form without permission.
Published simultaneously in Canada
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Amen, Daniel G.
Healing ADD : the breakthrough program that allows you to see
and heal the 6 types of attention deficit disorder / Daniel G. Amen,
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 0-399-14644-X
1. Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder—Treatment.
2. Attenrion-deficit disorder in adults—Treatment. I. Title.
RC394.A85 A445 2000 00-062677
6l6.85'8906—dc21
Printed in the United States of America
20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11
This book is printed on acid-free paper.®
Book i/i \in» by Tanya Maibnroda
To Antony, Breanne, and Kaitlyn
My source of eternal inspiration