I just posted a thread in the resources section with a bit of info about this apparently brand new book I stumbled on in the bookstore today: "Attention Deficit Disorder: The Unfocused Mind in Children and Adults" by Thomas E. Brown.

I wish to discuss some of Brown's ideas/observations/research here. Don't judge a book by it's cover... the author chose what may possibly be the most boring title in the history of the subject, but I have worked myself up into a frenzy after reading what he had to say.

I plowed right through the book in a few hours, so forgive me if I fudge some of the specifics, but I'll try and give you the overarching idea that I got from it first. Essentially, Brown is proposing that ADD is a "complex syndrome" that most prominently affects the "executive functions" of the brain. In most of the resources I've read, the experts have painted a picture of ADD that is far more fragmented than the one that Brown is presenting here strongly centered on these "power broker" functions in the brain.

For talking points, these are the "Six Aspects of a Complex Syndrome" that Brown writes about:

Cluster 1: Organizing, Prioritizing, and Activating for Tasks
Cluster 2: Focusing, Sustaining, and Shifting Attention to Tasks
Cluster 3: Regulating Alertness, Sustaining Effort, and Processing Speed
Cluster 4: Managing Frustration and Modulating Emotions
Cluster 5: Utilizing Working Memory and Accessing Recall
Cluster 6: Monitoring and Self-Regulating Action

As everything relates back to the cognitive neuroscience surrounding impaired executive functions (yes, the book is a bit dry and technical) I found Brown's take on familiar symptoms refreshing because he seems to logically tie them all together. Specifically, I'm excited that someone not only finally mentioned some of the ADD "eccentricities" that are usually thrown in the miscellaneous ill-effects catagory by other experts, but Brown manages to weave them into the heirarchy of those "clusters" so seamlessly and logically!

Ok, no more abstract generalizations... The concepts discussed surrounding clusters 3 and 5 were groundbreaking in my ADD world. I have a few serious "eccentricities" that have I've never been able to fit into any of the established ADD models, something I'm sure many of you are familiar with. There was an overarching worry that as I examine each one I'd find one comorbid condition after another on top of the already complex ADD, and that I'd never really be "fully diagnosed" if you will. Long story short, Brown brings together and touches upon most of those fragmented "things" and shows how they really have roots in ADD afterall.

Examples:
In explaining the implications of impaired "working memory" (aka short-term memory) mechanisms in the ADD brain and the effect on expressive communication, it now makes a whole lot more sense why writing a post like this has taken me close to three hours so far. I'd explain the details of the concept... but that would take me another four hours. :faint:
Also related to "working memory" are problems with mathematics, specifically problems that appear around adolescence... when algebra and formulas are introduced. Some ADDer's working memory just can't hold a structure/series of steps associated with remembering and using a formula, proof, etc. I'm one of them. Was in accelerated classes until the dreaded algebraic formulas and proofs came along... then I got my first F, and first "just try harder" speech. Completely agree with Brown on this one.
This was my favorite... instead of just talking about the abstract "need for stimulation," Brown elaborates on deficiencies in "regulating alertness," giving the concrete example of what I now know is one of my most hillarious symptoms... uncontrollable borderline narcolepsy when not fully engaged by something... Working 14 hour shifts at my semi-enjoyable job without so much as yawning, but recalling the pre-adderall days when ten minutes into every high-school class I'd be out like a light if the material didn't excite me.

Besides having a solid base in cognitive science, I think the subtleties that Brown unfolds from the concept are incredible, especially in the insights he has about carrying the baggage of ADD as you go through life, the compound effects of it.

Alright, just wanted to get the ball rolling and see if anyone has read this book and wants to discuss, or had that "Holy Cow, my ADD has contributed to that too?" feeling when reading it like I did.

On what level is the book written--understandable to laypeople?

Thanks.

DBR

The author 'Thomas E Brown', sounds like, he knows what he's talking about ; Which is strange, because, all us ADDers, know, that no one, but an ADDer, will ever really know, what goes on in our heads.
A pat on the back for 'Thomas E Brown', for being able, to explain his theories.. He really sounds, like he knows his stuff.
It's difficult for an ADDer to explain the way their Brain works and controls the silly things we do and say!
But, until i get the correct dosage of Concerta, i wont even attempt reading the book LOL
I have a Book called 'AD/HD FOR DUMMIES' and i find it difficult to get my head around the specifics in that book! LOL

How on earth did you get your ADDer head around it ifso215 ?
And then all that write-up on it too?
Can you tell me what Medication You're on... I want it!! LOL

Karen :)

He has a great new site too with some video clips http://drthomasebrown.com/services/index.html

How on earth did you get your ADDer head around it ifso215 ?
And then all that write-up on it too?
Can you tell me what Medication You're on... I want it!! LOL

Karen :)


Ha, if I was hyperfocusing on procrastinating, does that make it hyperprocrastination? Because that's what I doing... book piqued my interest and sat and read the whole thing instead of studying for the exam I bombed today! How ironic... :confused:

Oh yes, and it is understandable to lay people, save a few brutally boring parts about circular neuron pathways or something like that. There's some cognitive psychology mixed in there, but he explains it pretty well. He always goes back to the same "executive functions" idea, something that he provides great metaphors for early on.

Book sounds interesting -- I've read some quotes from Brown before that I like too, so I'll look for the book. Thanks for sharing the information. Nothing I hyperfocus on better than a explaination of how this crazy brain of mine works!:cool:

Scattered

He has a great new site too with some video clips http://drthomasebrown.com/services/index.html


Fantastic, Tara. If anyone wants a quick and dirty overview of the general thrust of what's new in the book, I recommend looking at the section of the site called "A new model." It gives an idea of the theory presented, but I'd still recommend picking up the book... the real value lies in how Brown elaborates on this theory with real world examples and explores the subtle ramifications of looking at ADD this way... that's where I found so much about my own experience that other authors and experts hadn't managed to explore yet.

And come on people, we've got great new material out there! Get on reading it so we can have some fresh stuff to yap about!!!!

Hi, great thread,me all the way,my brother has been a fan of Tom Brown for about 8 years, he handed me one of his books 2 nights ago, guide to wile edible and medicinal plants, because I am currently studieing naturology. I will be interested in the book you speak of. I wonder if he feels as I do that it must go back to the diet?
My brother has add I believe, and I have been trying to get him to hear me on this subject. Maybe he will take the time to read this book.

I just looked up his site. Pretty interesting. I really like that his model includes the effect of ADHD on emotional regulation. I believe Paul Wender calls it stress intolerance. I know I can lose executive functions to a severe degree when I am under stress. I've got to get down to Borders and look for his book.:)

Does Border's have it? I looked at Barnes & Noble Sunday and could not find it. Is it in psychology, or is in reference?

DBR

Amazon has it so Borders should. It just came out a couple of weeks ago so maybe it's not on the shelves yet.

ifso215 (http://www.addforums.com/forums/member.php?u=1033) if you post your review of the book on Amazon it will help the book become more popular.

I ordered the book through Amazon a few days ago. Now I just need to wait until that slow boat to Japan with my mail on it meanders its way over here to Okinawa.

I saw his lectures, and he says some great stuff. Poorly produced with bad acting, but great content. :)

Thank you for the post. He is well respected.

Much of what he says, is also articulated by Russ Barkley & Sam Goldstein, and vice versa.

Russ's ADHD and the Nature of Self-Control is also a great book,however, it's not really written with the lay person in mind.

Taking Charge of ADHD is written more for parents.

I'm thrilled to see that a book has positiviely stimulated you that much.

When you get a chance, please check out the (2003) book I'm always touting by Sandra Rief:

The ADHD Book of Lists .

It's a perfect follow up for Dr.Brown's book, because it's all of the mainstream research from the last 15 years or so, put into list form , by category and with the references.

There's a whole section on the Executive Functions that I believe is worth the price of the book alone.

Thanks again, and I'll definately take a look at it myself.

take care
mctavish23 (Robert)

Russ's ADHD and the Nature of Self-Control is also a great book,however, it's not really written with the lay person in mind.


Thanks Robert I figuered it would be high education stuff based on the intial post which was barely lay person posting in and of it self (lol).....


Thanks for the link Tara...he sound pretty ligit to me. Happy reading to all and to all a good night!!!!

I almost bought two copies of this book online by accident. I confirmed the order and everything before I noticed there was a 2 next to quantity for that book (I was ordering a couple of different books). Luckily I noticed after and cancelled it before it shipped. So now I should be getting 1 copy of it next week sometime. It looks interesting - and I've recently done the brown add scales which gives scores for each of those clusters.