The Power of Different

The Link Between Disorder and Genius

By: M.D. Gail Saltz

Narrated by: M.D. Gail Saltz

A powerful and inspiring examination of the connection between the potential for great talent and conditions commonly thought to be “disabilities,” revealing how the source of our struggles can be the origin of our greatest strengths.

In The Power of Different, psychiatrist and bestselling author Gail Saltz examines the latest scientific discoveries, profiles famous geniuses who have been diagnosed with all manner of brain “problems”—including learning disabilities, ADD, anxiety, Depression, Bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and Autism—and tells the stories of lay individuals to demonstrate how specific deficits in certain areas of the brain are directly associated with the potential for great talent. Saltz shows how the very conditions that cause people to experience difficulty at school, in social situations, at home, or at work, are inextricably bound to creative, disciplinary, artistic, empathetic, and cognitive abilities.

In this pioneering work, listeners will find engaging scientific research and stories from historical geniuses and everyday individuals who have not only made the most of their conditions, but who have flourished because of them. They are leaning into their brain differences to:

*Identify areas of interest and expertise
*Develop work arounds
*Create the environments that best foster their talents
*Forge rewarding interpersonal relationships

Enlightening and inspiring, The Power of Different proves that the unique wiring of every brain can be a source of strength and productivity, and contributes to the richness of our world.

incredibly validating and encouraging

I was deeply moved by the description of ADD, anxiety,and to some degree dislexia, due to the precision in which it summarized my own life. I thought I had ADD, but had no clue that it encompassed​ and explained the complete set of cognitive challenges I've struggled with from my earliest childhood memories to now as a working adult, husband, and father. Nor did I realize it had anything to do with my aptitude and creativity in math science and music. I've managed to work my way into a fitting career as a research engineer, through what I perceived as hard work alone, without ADD medication or coaching, despite ongoing challenges with planning, organization, time/task management, task switching, reading, paying attention, short term memory, and convergent thinking. After reading this, I'm inspired to try to get an accurate diagnosis​, and hopefully some help.

Thank you

Absolutely loved it. I was telling my friends about it before I finished it! I hope to delve deeper into this matter

When there is always negatives this helps find the silver lining.

Though I wouldn’t agree that I wouldn’t change my diagnosis (OCD, debilitating anxiety, major depression and complex PTSD) my husbands bipolar 1, my daughters autism or my other daughter’s major depression. Finding a silver lining helped us with our acceptance of diagnosis. Sometimes finding a positive helps when your brain loves to live in the negative. Does our family deal with some serious issues? Absolutely! However I refer back to this audiobook when I need the silver lining. What this book really helped me realize is that most people have a mental health issue they are dealing with and maybe being one size fits all is ok. It’s ok to have differences. I love to refer to it as such. It helps you to feel better in your skin. On this journey to love myself this was a huge part of that.

Made me feel okay to be me!

please pass this book around to your friends. it will help save lives. we are okay, just different.

Loved loved loved it!

Please write a whole book expanding on the autism chapter! This book gives me hope at a very difficult time!!!