Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Clinical Guide to Diagnosis and Treatment for Health and Mental Health Professionals

What is it like to live with disabilities no one can see? Readers will find out in this honest and gripping narrative of one woman’s life with hidden disabilities — including learning disabilities, ADHD, and bipolar disorder. Yet this is more than just her story of battling adversity and coming out a winner. In each chapter, renowned psychiatrist Larry Silver, M.D., shares his insight into how Veronica’s experiences — both positive and negative — influenced her academically and emotionally and how early diagnosis and intervention might have benefited her. These two compelling accounts give readers an appreciation for the difficulties and triumphs living with hidden disabilites can bring and an awareness of what can be done to help.

Brain chemistry, not bad parenting, is responsible for the 12 percent of children younger than 18 who have diagnosable brain disorders, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), separation anxiety disorder (SAD), or enuresis (bed-wetting). Through case studies, scientific data, and information about children’s development and brain chemistry, Koplewicz helps parents understand the obstacles their brain-disordered children face. A practicing psychiatrist, he also suggests means, including therapy and medication, by which families may lessen the difficulties posed by those disorders. He devotes the final section of the book to considerations of the nature and treatment of problems including, besides those noted above, depression, conduct disorder, bipolar disorder, and autism. Presented with compassion but in no-nonsense style, his effort offers a wealth of scientific information in a format easily accessible to parents, extended families, and friends of “difficult” children.
—Kathryn Carpenter from Booklist

An ADHD boy helps rescue his dad because he pays so much attention to what is going on around him. He is the one who knows where to go get help.

The challenges faced by individuals with learning disabilities (LD) are not confined to an academic environment and are not “outgrown” in adulthood. So how do adults face the hurdles of LD in their professional and personal lives? In this book, you’ll hear from a diverse group of adults with LD, many of whom also have attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), as they describe how they’ve met disability-related challenges at work and at home. Ten in-depth chapters discuss the challenges and benefits that learning disabilities can present in a wide range of areas, including overall mental health, day-to-day life, dating, long-term relationships, parenthood, higher education, and employment. Practical suggestions and proven strategies are offered to help adults identify and capitalize on their strengths and to promote a satisfying quality of life.

Unlocking Potential contains the latest information on LD and AD/HD, as well as advice, practical tips, and resources designed to make their transition from high school a success. From selecting and applying to a program to setting and achieving goals, this book leads them on their way.

Some of us learn things in a different way from those around us — do you too? One frog might need a bit of help with counting; another might not know how to behave around other frogs. Other young frogs in this book are easily distracted and get themselves into trouble. But help is at hand: if we think differently about things that we find difficult, we can find our own ways to get better at doing them.