Description
New York Times bestseller!
From renowned mental health expert and speaker Dr. Gabor Maté, Scattered Minds explodes the myth of attention deficit disorder (ADD/ADHD) as genetically based—and offers real hope and advice for children and adults who live with the condition.
In this breakthrough guide to understanding, treating, and healing Attention Deficit Disorder, Dr. Gabor Maté, bestselling author of The Myth of Normal, and himself diagnosed with ADD:
- Demonstrates that the condition is not a genetic “illness” but a response to environmental stress
- Explains that in ADD, circuits in the brain whose job is emotional self-regulation and attention control fail to develop in infancy – and why
- Shows how ‘distractibility’ is the psychological product of life experience
- Allows parents to understand what makes their ADD children tick, and adults with ADD to gain insights into their emotions and behaviors
- Expresses optimism about neurological development even in adulthood
- Presents a program of how to promote this development in both children and adults
Whereas other books on the subject describe the condition as inherited, Dr. Maté believes that our social and emotional environments play a key role in both the cause of and cure for this condition. In Scattered Minds, he describes the painful realities of ADD and its effect on children as well as on career and social paths in adults.
While acknowledging that genetics may indeed play a part in predisposing a person toward ADD, Dr. Maté moves beyond that to focus on the things we can control: changes in environment, family dynamics, and parenting choices. He draws heavily on his own experience with the disorder, as both an ADD sufferer and the parent of diagnosed children. Providing a thorough overview of ADD and its treatments, without blaming anyone, Scattered Minds is essential and life-changing reading for the millions of ADD sufferers in North America today.
J. Yeung (verified owner) –
Being both a doctor and having ADHD I found this book both informative and insightful. The concepts of both nature and nurture are seemlessly interwoven to provide an excellent perspective on causality as well as direction for treatment.
Having a past personal interest in child psychology lent me familiarity to many of the concepts the author brought forth in his book. If his ideas seem ‘cooked up’ you are mistaken. The author is quoting cornerstone teachings of well known developmental psychologists.
One must realize that research into ADHD is still evolving. Whether or not causality can be determined in each specific case, it does not detract from the author’s direction in treatment (whether through family therapy, psychotherapy or pharmacotherapy). More specifically, ADHD may in fact arise in ‘functional families’ but the requirement for ongoing support/’unconditional positive regard’ remains pivotal.
But one should realize this is not a ‘How to Book’ nor a brief synopsis. With all that aside…… an eloquent book which made me laugh, cry and take heart.
Important to note: ‘Scattered’ and ‘Scattered Minds’ are both the same book just published in US vs Canada
T. LINTON (verified owner) –
After reading this book, i had convinced myself that i suffered from ADD, as I can be very disorganised. I emailed Gabor Mate and he confirmed that if I thought I was, it was probably true. I think half the population probably suffer from this without knowing it! Some interesting stuff in this book, I was impressed by the idea that ADD is caused in children by a deficit in parent’s attention to them, i.e. literally a disorder caused by a deficit of attention, so some useful tips for raising your own children.
JRup (verified owner) –
At last some real insight into addiction and ADD/ADHD! Doctor Mate is spot-on in his
observations and remedies, which do not include widespread and expensive pharmacology.
Rather, he cites stress, especially pre-natal and infant for the widespread handicaps
of our children. Mothers (and fathers) who must rush back to work leave children without
nurture necessary to complete brain development, a serious problem in America.
Children are left to learn from TV and other children. ADHD is not a disease, Mate stresses.
It is a mental (and physical) handicap which once was (and still is in European and
primitive cultures where ‘work’ is not a precondition for survival) overcome by
‘learned behavior’/socializing/bonding within the family.
This book, and Dr. Mate’s newer work, “Realm of Hungry Ghosts”, is required reading/
discussion for anyone contemplating creating a family. Mate’s own childhood as a
concentration camp survivor, and a career treating drug addicts, as well as the many
scientific studies he cites, make him a clarion voice in this ‘medical’ crisis.
Dr. Mate is a fine writer for laymen and an outstanding speaker. Well done, Doc! Highly
recommended.
Marius (verified owner) –
Excellent holistic approach to a very complex issue. Dr Mate does an excellent job of emphasizing the emotional complications of ADD and how to insure that they are included in any treatment plan. A must read.
David A. Brunk (verified owner) –
The best treatise of the phsychology of mental development I have ever read, and I am a student of the subject, 82 yrs. of age.
margaret corbett (verified owner) –
Having worked with add children and have one of my own this book made a whole lot of sense. The roles the parents play in their children contracting add was the most fascinating of all for me. My thought was that it was inherited or runs in the family. All in all it was easy to read and understand. Dr. Mate also suffered from ADD which made all the information more believable.
Mike Ware (verified owner) –
readable for many and provides an integrated view of a condition that has been understood previously as exclusively biological, without an appreciation of the critical interaction with the relational world. While i feel it might be a little optimistic it provides very good guidelines for minimizing the distress and dysfunction. As the author maintains, it would be useful for many professionals, like me who have not fully understood the condition.
Carol Ellan (verified owner) –
This book is unique in that it is written from the perspective of a doctor who himself has ADD and at the same time treats others with the disorder. His poignant description of his own struggle and recognition of the effects he had on his own family is heart-rendingly honest. It is a difficult, soul-searching but essential read for any ADD parent with their own ADD kids.
Kathryn Fielding (verified owner) –
A very interesting and helpful read! It arrived promptly and in good condition. I would recommend it to anyone wanting to know more about living with ADD
L. Williams (verified owner) –
Perfect!
donna mckellar (verified owner) –
Brilliant author with significant material that is written in easy to digest chapters and pages.
Ouzola Customer (verified owner) –
Fantastic book, very insightful and really helpful in understanding the root and symptoms of ADD.
Rendao (verified owner) –
excellent
Josee N Fleury (verified owner) –
Very interesting and enlightening book by a brilliant mind. I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to learn more about ADD. Goes much deeper in helping us understand the roots of the disorder and the ways to heal the disorder that go beyond pharmaceuticals.
Ouzola Customer (verified owner) –
I have 2 very important people in my life that have ADD, and this book is helping me to understand how it came to be, and what we can do as a family to help each of them overcome some of the issues associated with it…. Love the insights in this book
Deborah Peet (verified owner) –
very good book! Very helpful in helping me to understand ADD and ODD.
Ouzola Customer (verified owner) –
Helped me understand a lot about my recent diagnosis. This book holds valuable information on how to deal with ADD. Scientifically written with little subtle jokes. I read it in one go.
rattie (verified owner) –
Thought provoking book on the possible reasons why adhd et al could have occurred. I laughed out loud at the things Gabor has done and realize all those things have happened at one time or another in our over creative lives!
Ron Edward (verified owner) –
Love his writing. He was one of the pioneer doctors on the downtown eastside that made the connection of sexual, physical emotioanl abuse and trama to the drug problem. He was way ahead of his time.
Alfred Clarke (verified owner) –
Gabor Mate is a doctor not afraid to challenge the status quo of myopic medicine. His book enlightens us on a topic that is vastly misunderstood and misused towards youth. The book is insightful coming from a doctor with ADHD.
Kristine (verified owner) –
Helpful in deconstructing the ways we wind ourselves up in knots, attempting to manage our emotional unease and conform to what are ultimately punishing norms for anyone who is ultra sensitive to the world around them.
Karley (verified owner) –
Absolutely love this book. For someone who usually reads 10 books at once and never finishes…. I couldn’t put this one down. So insightful, easy to read with lots of examples. Makes me understand my own self better and those around me.
Nicholas Fleury (verified owner) –
I have just finished reading this book in the same week I received it. This book is a must for anyone who suffers from ADD. The information in the book not only is useful for those with ADD but also for friends and family of those who suffer. I loved this book for the between direct medical information and theoretical dialogue offered by the author.
I think that this book is a very well paced read and the categorization of information makes it very easy for the reader to dive into a chapter, knowing full well that everything in there will not stray far from the title.
Overall, this book deserves a 5 star rating from me. I began my healing process nearly two years ago and this is the first book since then that has really helped me self reflect and understand my childhood and my emotions/reactions throughout the years.
Thank you Dr!
HDA (verified owner) –
This book is very insightful. Anyone with AD(H)D should read it. Also check out his two other books (one is on addiction, the other is about stress).
Joshua R. Lange (verified owner) –
Dr. Mate knows both from clinical training, experience, and his personal life the effects of ADD and how to use them to overcome life’s disadvantages. This book is a deep search into the soul of the person affected by the ‘disorder’ which, as Dr. Mate suggests, is not a disorder but an opportunity to become oneself authentically. It’s already improved my relationships with others, my child, and to myself.
Ouzola Customer (verified owner) –
This book is cool and pretty good read!!
Ouzola Customer (verified owner) –
An excellent and easy to understand overview. Even if it has no personal relevance it’s a great read with profound insights into how we develop or rather how we don’t.
Too Tall (verified owner) –
As a Christian I ultimately see a broken perspective/distorted relationship with God as a huge cause of stress, and labelling my sinful behaviours as sin, and taking them to Christ and realizing my identity is not in my sinful behaviour, but in Him and He has the power to change me as the ultimate solution. However much of what this author has understood would fit very well into this paradigm, and much of my own experiences validate the abuse in the past as causing an abnormal stress/intensity baseline. I’m still trying meds too, but depending on Jesus to show me the answers as I search for them.
smacdonald (verified owner) –
This book is so incredibly helpful. I now have a deeper understanding of myself and my daughter. I am so thankful to have found this book. I will definitely keep markers in it to reflect and use now and I’m the future.
Ken Chowen (verified owner) –
Great book for understanding and relating to everyday ADD occurrences and thought processes. Love learning for my own benefit and to help relate better to others, everyone is different and this book paints a fairly well rounded variety of potential types.
Linh Nguyen (verified owner) –
This book would be helpful for parents, teachers, and therapists who support the development of not just the children with ADD but all children.
As a practitioner supporting families of children with ADD, I found the book to be full of wisdom and useful tips.
I also find important implications that I can apply in my own parenting even though my own children do not have ADD.
Alyssa (verified owner) –
As an adult who recently got diagnosed with ADHD, this book completely shifted how I view ADHD & has brought a lot of healing. I definitely recommend this book as way to help understand the diagnosis.
Wendy (verified owner) –
Excellent book. The first half explains the science behind his theory and the last half more practical information. Don’t let your pride stop you from reading the whole book!
Tamz (verified owner) –
Amazing book, Dr. Gabor Matè has lots insight and knowledge. I follow him on you tube can’t wait to read this book.
Angela S (verified owner) –
I love any books by this author. He really helps to explain ADD/ADHD
pamela deo (verified owner) –
Fantastic understanding and direction for healing
Rose (verified owner) –
If you or anyone you know has ADD/ADHD read this book! Dr. Mate is a treasure!
M Torres (verified owner) –
This man is a genious. Many people could learn from him.
SML (verified owner) –
Next on my reading list, but perused its chapters when I received it. The narrative and explanation on ADD got me hooked. Author appears to be a brilliant, intelligent, sensible and perhaps very accessible Dr: his patients must be the luckiest. Look forward to reading and may perhaps, change the rating to 5 star. sometimes one is just happy buying certain books that do what books are supposed to do: enlighten, inform, educate and bring some understanding to a subject.
C. Noyes – Antifa Ambassador to the U.N. (verified owner) –
Simply the best authoyyr on deep psych issue
Luciano (verified owner) –
Great book
Tim Riley (verified owner) –
It helped me understand issues that I deal with and why
Marcia Clemance (verified owner) –
Bought this book for my husband as he has ADHD. He is finding it very helpful.
Berta (verified owner) –
Bravo, Dr. Mate. This is an exceptional book on attention deficit disorder. A must read if you are expecting a child or have a young or adult child with ADD. Reading this book made me feel as if Dr. Mate knew us personally. I wish this book had been available when my child was an infant and adolescent. Reading Dr. Mate’s sections on adult ADD helped me understand and appreciate my adult ADD child even more. I’m sure that I did not apply many of Dr. Mate’s recommendations during my child’s adolescence but my love for him was always first and foremost. So grateful that my child grew up to become an intelligent, successful, kind and loving adult, in spite of our shortcomings.
Bahar Sa (verified owner) –
As a person who does not have ADD/ADHD this book has been incredibly helpful in understanding and educating about the intricacies in this space. For the reviewers saying that the book entirely places blame on the mother – that is not accurate.
Marcus Rodriguez (verified owner) –
The book has a lot to offer. Dr. Gabor mate is a very intelligent man.
Tracy Baker (verified owner) –
as with all Gabor Mate’s books, this is really worth reading, it gives great insight into many problems that plague people.
Mommyof5 (verified owner) –
My child was recently diagnosed with ADHD and her doctor said this was a good read to see someone’s perspective of it.
Jacquelyn Nieto (verified owner) –
This book is worth the $$, I’m only on chapter 5 and this book has been such an eye opener! It has helped me understand my child in depth and have patience with them. Any parent that has a child with ADD this book is for you and your family!
Ouzola Customer (verified owner) –
Such an interesting view on ADD, and one that bring much more hope that other approaches.
Halyn (verified owner) –
I bought this book earlier in the week and just started it. Not even finished w the first chapter and I am IN LOVE. Every word resonates deeply within my core and I feel very lovingly called out. I’m so excited for the rest of this book!!
Farrann (verified owner) –
This is such a good book for understanding ADD and ADHD and how healing can occur!
Sergio (verified owner) –
Es hermoso como lo explica, muy fácil de leer, capítulos cortos.
Walker (verified owner) –
Environment.
Tasso (verified owner) –
An excellent book! Fascinating and informative. A must read; not only for parents with children that have ADD. For everyone.
Liz (verified owner) –
Absolutely excellent! Easy to read, excellent info and insight, brilliant author. Made me feel so understood!!!!
standupguy (verified owner) –
As someone in their 40s who was only recently diagnosed, this book has given me an exponentially greater understanding of how my thoughts, behaviours, feelings and experiences have unknowingly been impacted and informed by ADHD all these years. I recognized myself and my experience on practically every page. If your experience reading it is anything like mine, I caution that I find with this greater understanding also comes a sense of grief for time missed or mistakes made, but that the simultaneous sense of hope and optimism of how different the future can now be is far, far stronger. Thank you, Dr. Maté: this book will change my life.
Steven Hashimoto (verified owner) –
Came in good condition
Ryan (verified owner) –
Really good info for adults with ADD. This booked help to address some of the feelings I have felt since I was a kid as well as my low self esteem, inability to focus, and my relationships with others and substances.
Dr. Mate does a good job in this book explaining the origins and the feeling of some adults with ADD. My psychologist recommended this after my diagnosis and I the reader recommend to you if the above resonates.