The ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) Myth Book Review

The ADD Myth Book Review

I would venture to guess that The ADD Myth by Martha Burge is probably considered quite controversial. However, as somebody who is challenged by ADHD (or at least the symptoms that acquired that title), I enjoy reading any book that offers practical solutions, nutritional advice, or other helpful insights.

The subtitle to this book is "How to Cultivate the Unique Gifts of Intense Personalities."  That should clue you into why this author feels that "ADD" being titled a disorder is wrong. This is a complicated idea for most to ponder. We have been raised for generations being told that it is a disorder and requires pharmaceutical intervention to cope (which has brought about horrible side effects, dependencies, and abuses).

While I do agree with much of what Burge shares in the first couple of chapters, after that she and I are very much a hit and miss and overall at that point, this book which started out so strongly, dwindled into what read as "new age fluff" to me.

I have tried meditation. It was required on a daily basis for one of my classes in college. Also when I was working on overcoming my hyper-vigilance sleep disorder (a leftover result from a stranger rape), I tried using it for falling asleep at night. In both cases it did not improve anything in my life. I have found other useful techniques, but meditation was a waste of my time, personally speaking.

Martha Burge

Thus, I greatly enjoyed the research and facts Burge shared about the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) and how they have made a culture of disorder with no proof and that ADD is actually various intensities which are gifts, not disorders. Intensities in five areas: Sensual, Psychomotor, Intellectual, Creative, and Emotional. She expounds on the traits of each intensity.

She also goes into research by the Gallup Organization which led to writing "First, Break All the Rules" by Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman. The more successful business and managers spend more time and resources developing the strongest people, those with intensities. They don't tend to focus on fixing the weaknesses but on developing their strengths.

While, I highly recommend parts of this book, just as much I must discard as a waste of my time, such as the consistent push of meditation as the cure-all. Perhaps it will help some, but not this gal. What has worked for me? Changing my eating habits, supplements, a good night's sleep (which has taken hard work to find the solutions to get it), exercises, and various systems I have put into place.

Sometimes having a label helps, sometimes it hinders. I do agree that people don't really have a disorder, but are simply oriented differently on the scale of intensities in the five areas.

I will from time to time share the systems I have put into place to help me succeed. They will not work for you if you have ADD (because we are all wired so intensely that there is not a one size fits all), but you might figure out how to alter them to fit your beautiful intensities! :)