Scattered: How Attention Deficit Disorder Originates and What You Can Do About It

Mate begins with the statement that ADD is “…defined by three major features, any two of which suffice for the diagnosis: poor attention skills, deficient impulse control, and hyperactivity.” There is no specific citation here to justify this claim, but assuming it is generally agreed that this is true, what makes up the body of the book are dozens of portrayals of random characteristics which Mate identifies as those attributable to ADD. In what might be considered typical ADD fashion, there is no ordered attempt to associate these characteristics directly with the major features in his original definition, despite the cleverly titled chapters (or maybe because of them.)Nowhere does Mate suggest that a diagnosis of ADD would necessitate a preponderance of these characteristics, or conversely, that taken individually, these characteristics might be diagnosed as some other disorder, or even (God forbid) as a relatively natural response to the stressors of the world we live in. Mate defines these “hallmark” characteristics of ADD in absolutes, rendering many of his conclusions not only inaccurate, but irresponsible. His leaps of logic, and lack of hard evidence or citations (other than general lists at the end of the book) are maddening, and some scientific “evidence” was misrepresented (see other reviews.)I have lived for 30 years with an ADD husband and his daughter, abandoned by her mother before the age of two. Both were diagnosed by psychiatrists (not family practice physicians, as is Mate.) Some of the behaviors which Mate describes are recognizable in one of them, but not the other; some cannot be seen in either; some are issues for both.Mate’s hypothesis that ADD is the result as much of nurture as nature is enlightened, as we now know nature and nurture together are responsible for all the positive and difficult aspects of our physical and emotional health. Though we may be born with a proclivity for a disease or disorder, we do not have to open those genetic envelopes. So I applaud Mate for making this point, and taking the inevitability out of the ADD equation.But he severely undermines any positive take-away on this score by focusing on the role of early childhood trauma in bringing about ADD behaviors, and placing the responsibility solely on the shoulders of mothers. This blame is not only unhelpful, but downright detrimental to ADD mothers everywhere who often feel overwhelmed and abandoned in the face of it. The weight of this finger-pointing is countered with almost NO help at all, as he offers nothing more than the same suggestions which may be found in any of the hundreds of pop-psych magazine articles that are published in any given month.I’d suggest skipping this book and reading Hallowell or Thomas E. Brown instead. IMHO This book belongs in the ever-growing category of self-help books written by doctors - whom we are wont to trust - out to make a name for themselves from insufficiently substantiated theories. Just the sorts of distractions that render us “Scattered.”

I found this to be a valuable resource for helping me to diminish the often painful effects of ADD (my father, myself, and one of my 3 daughters suffer from it). I didn't agree with everything the author stated, but I have decided to use what I can, and disregard the rest. I have learned strategies for not being so hard on myself and also my child (I tend to over-react, which I see can greatly damage my child's self-esteem). I am learning ways to show my child that I love her all the time - not just when she is behaving well. I especially appreciate that much of this book is research-based. highly recommend this book. Please mark if you find my review helpful. Thank you so much!

I had high expectations for this book but I was disappointed. I listened to Gabor mate on the tim ferris podcast and was impressed. If you're buying this book so it can help you with solutions for ADD don't buy the book. It went into great depth about the things people with ADD struggle with and family problems that can lead to ADD. Doesn't go into depth about solutions

As a mental health clinician who works in a high school with teenagers, this book has been so helpful in putting a lot of the typical adhd behaviors that we see into a larger context. This was my first Dr. Mate read, and I've since become a big fan of his approach to early traumatic environments and how that affects the person. ADHD is way more than a "brain" issue, and medication is only a sometimes helpful band-aid to a larger, deeper problem. This book is easy to read and gives great tips to parents and schools working with both children and adults who suffer from this disorder.

I read this because it was suggested by my psychiatrist at the VA. My psychiatrist was the person who I was comfortable to speak with and it pains me so to finish this book after 2 years. I am planning to visit him and thank him for this suggestion as it was a great read.I wish I would’ve read it sooner and had more things to talk about but he had another better job lined up for him. There is no greater lesson in life than regret and the cliche of not going to live my life without any regrets is truly false, because without this pain in my heart I would not have appreciated this book and why he suggested in the first place. I wish I don’t have any regrets but at the same time I have this lesson learned and I will not forsaken this feeling.

I don't know if I'm convinced that his theory of the source of ADD is the only source - but he addresses feelings I have so precisely that it must be significant, and he addresses them with the subtlety and real understanding only an intelligent and sensitive fellow sufferer who has grappled with the same problems could. One who writes well too - it's an entertaining and often a moving read.If you or your child suffers (or you suspect suffers) from ADD, read this. It opens up avenues of growth and healing for those with ADD that no one else has - and they could be recommended to many human beings with positive results, but could be life changing to those with ADD.

I've lost count of the amount of so called 'life changing' books I've read, many of which didn't live up to the hype. Whilst such a term is of course completely subjective, for someone with ADHD I dare say that 'Scattered' by Dr Gabor Mate not only meets, but exceeds the criteria. Over the past year, since my own diagnoses, I have been devouring every bit of information I could find regarding ADHD, and there's A LOT out there. At first it's hugely reassuring to learn there's an explanation for the continual frustrations, confusions, anxieties and repeated failures that have made up a large percentage of both your childhood and adult life. However the vast array of conflicting information, thoughts, theories, and opinions on offer can soon become perplexing and even damaging. For some, ADHD is a medical disorder and needs to treated as such, for others it's a gift they wouldn't change for the world, and of course for others, it shouldn't even exist. All of these views have nearly limitless supporting arguments and examples, which while often interesting, do little to help the individual actually grasp, make sense of and improve their own life situation, apart from follow the well worn route to medicalization .Dr Mate succeeds by being able to acknowledge many of these conflicting viewpoints whilst pointing to a much more holistic understanding of the causes behind the development of ADHD symptoms, both in children and adults. He does not deny that ADHD symptoms often lie in neurological impairments, only that these impairments are not necessarily the sole result of a purely genetic cause. He explains that in a vast majority of cases there is evidence to suggest the underlying causes as being related to the formative experiences of a child's emotional bonding to it's care givers. In the early years of a child's life such experiences massively impact the brains development. Traumas or lack of emotional nurture in times of infantile stress can literally 'freeze' the development of key areas of a child's neurology which then result in patterns of behavior that become the well known symptoms of ADHD. I won't go into details of how this is all explained. but will say that Dr Mate makes an extremely convincing case, one which offers hope that such symptoms don't need to be simply 'put up with' or only medicated but can be adequately treated, even reversed, by forming a deeper understanding of one's emotional upbringing, healing and then meeting the needs not originally met in childhood. Not only can this have a tremendous positive effect on one's own life it can also cut the generational inheritance of ADHD symptoms within a family by not recreating environments of upbringing that only seem to foster the development of such traits.Whether deep 'emotional healing' can truly reverse ADHD symptoms in all those diagnosed is something that can only be answered individually. Yet for somebody to first explore such avenues one needs to first raise the possibility and the understanding behind it. In respect of that I can only thank Dr Gabor Mate for this original and potentially life changing contribution. If you have ADHD you owe it to yourself and your family, current or otherwise, to at least seriously consider the contents of this book. I don't think I can say more than that.

This book is a very interesting read BUT... The people most likely to read this book, like myself will have ADD/ADHD.So, why, oh why, would you make a book with a lot of technical jargon, no images or no diagrams?Maybe it's just me, but I have to take a break after 2 chapters to refocus my mind.Apart from that, I am learning a lot from the book and I do enjoy it.

An excellent book, written by a person with clear creative and artistic gifts, himself a sufferer of attention deficit disorder. Which proves the point. His insights and knowledge are great. The one about counterwill and oppositionality directly relates to my family. It may be too late for me, but my son will certainly benefit from knowing what often controls his behaviour.

So helpful he really is a very very knowledgeable wonderful author

useful