THOMAS A. WHITEMAN, Ph.D., is the president of Fresh Start seminars, a non-profit organization which conducts over 50 divorce recovery seminars a year for both adults and children throughout the United States. He is a licensed psychologist and the founder and president of Life Counseling Services. He has authored or co-authored several books including Victim of Love? and The Marriage Mender (both Pinon Press), and The Complete Stress Management Workbook (Zondervan). He earned his degree from Bryn Mawr College and lives with his wife and three children in Paoli, Pennsylvania.
MICHELE NOVOTNI, Ph.D., is a psychologist in private practice and a frequent speaker on the topic of adult ADD. She has more than 20 years experience in dealing with both child and adult ADD. Both her son and her father have ADD.
It's an explanation, not an excuse, say clinical psychologists Whiteman and Michele Novotini about adult attention deficit disorder (ADD), a problem that has recently received extensive coverage and almost faddish acceptance. Although the authors acknowledge the reality of the neurobiological disorder and the mayhem it can cause in sufferers' lives, they feel that those with ADD must take responsibility for the disorder that plagues their work, relationships, learning, and self-esteem by seeking proper diagnosis (a complex process) and treatment (medication, counseling, behavior modification). To that end, concise, punchy chapters cover the subject with helpful factual information, alternating with identifiable personal stories. The authors move clearly and logically through their discussion, highlighting the process, professionals, and problems involved. Drawing on their personal as well as professional knowledge of ADD, they suggest specific ways to deal with organization, learning, relationships, and work. In their lucid, concrete guidance (citing many leading authorities and resource organizations), the authors see a positive attitude, acceptance, and action as the best way to overcome and live more successfully with the disorder. Irene Wood