ADHD Nation

Children, Doctors, Big Pharma, and the Making of an American Epidemic

By: Alan Schwarz

Narrated by: Jonathan Todd Ross

The groundbreaking account of the widespread misdiagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder—and how its unchecked growth has made ADHD one of the most controversial conditions in medicine, with serious effects on children, adults, and society. “ADHD Nation should be required reading” (The New York Times Book Review).

More than one in seven American children are diagnosed with ADHD—three times what experts have said is appropriate—meaning that millions of kids are misdiagnosed and taking medications such as Adderall or Concerta for a psychiatric condition they probably do not have. The numbers rise every year. And still, many experts and drug companies deny any cause for concern. In fact, they say that adults and the rest of the world should embrace ADHD and that its medications will transform their lives.

“In this powerful, necessary book, Alan Schwarz exposes the dirty secrets of the growing ADHD epidemic” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review), including how the father of ADHD, Dr. Keith Conners, spent fifty years advocating drugs like Ritalin before realizing his role in what he now calls “a national disaster of dangerous proportions”; a troubled young girl and a studious teenage boy get entangled in the growing ADHD machine and take medications that backfire horribly; and big Pharma egregiously over-promotes the disorder and earns billions from the mishandling of children (and now adults).

While demonstrating that ADHD is real and can be medicated when appropriate, Schwarz sounds a long-overdue alarm and urges America to address this growing national health crisis. “ADHD Nation is a necessary book. Schwarz has done a fine job on a maddening topic, and everyone who’s interested in hyperactivity, attention spans, stimulants, and the current state of American health care should grab a copy” (New York magazine).

Big Pharm at work, this time against children

Anyone with children, grandchildren, loved ones, friends, or yourself, who has been diagnosed with ADHD needs to listen to this book.. Alan Schwarz is very fair in his telling of this story. He is not taking sides, but I suspect most rational people will walk away thinking, boy did I drink the koolaid or what? Wake up America, before we are a nation of people who can't function without that magic prescription drug.. Oh wait, we're almost there!!!

What an excellent book!

This was one of the best books I have read in a long time. Very well researched and put together. The time and effort that this book took was well worth it. There are really no complaints other than wanting more. I would like to find out more about how other corporate enterprises have influenced "science". I am not anti ADHD, but there needs to be a line drawn somewhere as to what is "normal" human behavior, and what is abnormal. It is nice to see how those goalposts have changed over the past 50+ years. I would strongly recommend for anyone involved in or interested in this field!

Very good starting point to understand what is going on with ADHD

This book does a nice job of balancing the legitimate use of medication and the current situation of haphazard diagnosis and rampant over diagnosis.

Schwartz does a quality review of the history of the disorder. It is well written. This is not a book about the science or fine points of this diagnostic label, or treatment. He does not talk much about psychosocial treatment options, mentioning only CBT, nor does it talk about ecological issues contributing.

Comprehensive overview and history of ADHD and it’s meds

Anyone with an interest in the full spectrum and history of ADHD and the medicines developed and promoted to address it would enjoy this book. Any parents considering, or worse being pressured into considering ADHD medications should definitely read this book.

Balanced summary of the current status of ADHD

This book starts with a strident criticism of the use of amphetamine like stimulant drugs. I initially thought this would be a biased discussion with an agenda. With the exception of a condemnation of the marketing techniques of the pharmaceutical industry, I felt the discussion was objective. There is an extensive discussion about the use of proprietary drugs in the absence of legitimate ADHD to enhance performance by students, college professors, lawyers, physicians and every other aspect of life and all ages from toddlers to the aged.
Like it or not we live in a medicated society.