This book takes an in-depth look at attention deficit disorder/attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. In his book, the author eloquently educates parents of children with ADD/ADHD about the disorder and available treatments, so they can make informed choices for the care of their children. The first portion of the book describes what is medically known about ADD/ADHD, including causes and diagnostic methods; the second part outlines available treatment options, including Ritalin and other drugs, dietary changes, herbal therapy, and behavior modification. Dr. Gupta's purpose is to help parents of children with ADD/ADHD to stop blaming themselves for their child's disorder and to investigate and use appropriate therapies, including Ritalin and other medications when indicated, without guilt.

From the Publisher
Attention deficit disorder (ADD) is a popular, but controversial, disease. Whereas some people doubt its very existence, others believe that one out of every twenty children in the United States is afflicted with it. Views about diagnosis and treatment of ADD are diverse and often at odds.

In this book, Dr. Gupta describes whatever is scientifically known about ADD, and discusses all treatments - mainstream and alternative/complementary - with an open mind. Examining the merits of various treatments, he concludes that Ritalin and other mainstream medications for ADD are wrongfully maligned. Although he finds that most alternative and complementary treatments for ADD eclectically, integrating whatever is good in any treatment and discarding whatever is unworthy.

To have ADD and to be happy?, March 3, 2001

I am the parent of the child, who is now 7 years old, and who was diagnosed with ADHD more than 3 years ago. He is in second grade now in special education program. Since he started going to school the teachers recommended me to give him medication. "He is so bright, he has great potential, he could be in the main stream," - they were reasoning. But I wanted to develop Anton's inner strength and qualities first, without any medical intervention. I beleived in him. However, some problems developed. My child's personality seemed to begin to change rapidly. He was always happy and cheerful when he was 3 years old, but by 7 he was often anxious, easily frustrated, he was blaming others all the time, and began to hurt people when in anger. I felt puzzled. I knew school was a pressure for him. He usually was overtired after school, with headaches every other day. Was this pressure so strong that it changed his personality or was the reason somewhere else? Will the medication be the remedy? For me, with this heavy questions in my head, the book of Dr. Gupta arrived at the right moment. It gave me the panoramic view of the disorder that my child has, the view with deep insight which I was longing for. In section 1, titled "The Essence of ADD", I found especially important for me chapter 1 "Is ADD Real or a Figment of the Imagination?", chapter 2 "Why Is It Difficult to Accept ADD As a Disease?", chapter 10 "Is ADD Only a Question of Difficult Temperament?", and chapter 12 "Can ADD Occur with Other Disorders?". Part of chapter 12 called "Complications of ADD" (pp.59, 60) is worth putting on the wall, so that we do not forget that life for our chidlren with ADD is not as easy as our own lives. Section 2 of the book, called "Management of ADD", is like the rescue tool. Do you want to be rescued? - Here is the instruction. And this is the instruction which is written with scientific competence, love towards kids and parents, and the beleif that we can be happy inspite of the disorder and problems associated with it. This chapter explores all possible ways of dealing with ADHD. I especially liked chapters 18, 19, 24, 25, "How Does One Cope with ADD?", "How Does One Care For a Child with ADD?", "Do Children Grow ADD?", and "Is Everything Lost in ADD?" respectively. Chapter 19 should be read by every parent of a child with ADD. Chapter 18 gives the vitally important information about how parents should communicate with their kid, so that our ideas and words would support, encourage, and comfort our kids. It also provides with adresses and phone numbers of three national organizations serving individuals with ADD (p.85). Dr. Gupta through his book helped me to understand what I really needed to understand: what in my child's personality is the result of the disorder, what I have to be careful about, how I can improve my attitude towards my child, and what his future can be. I feel more self-confident now in my everyday life and I look with confidence into the future. I am sure a lot of parents will appreciate this wonderful book.