Edward McKey Hallowell (born December 2, 1949)[1] is an American psychiatrist, speaker, New York Times best-selling author and podcast host. He specializes in ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and is the founder of the Hallowell ADHD Centers. Hallowell is the author of 20 books, including the Distraction series, co-authored with Dr. John Ratey.[2][3]
Hallowell has been treating people of all ages with ADHD since 1981, and has stated that he has dyslexia[6] and ADHD,[7] which is self-diagnosed.[8] His approach to the condition uses a strength-based model—developed with Driven to Distraction co-author Dr. John Ratey—that is based on the tenets of positive psychology and takes a more holistic view of ADHD, rather than seeing it purely as a disorder with negative symptoms. This model was new to the field.[9][10]
Using this treatment model, Hallowell founded the ADHD Hallowell Centers to support and treat people with ADHD. There are currently six locations in the United States, including New York City, Seattle and Boston.[11][12] Hallowell states that there are four key aspects to treatment for ADHD: 1) learning as much as possible about the condition in order to "know what it is, and what it is not" and to understand the specific symptoms that a person has;[13] 2) getting a coach to help with the executive functioning type tasks that people with ADHD tend to struggle with;[14] 3) lifestyle changes, including good nutrition, sleep and physical exercise;[15] and 4) medication, if it is beneficial for the individual.[16] Hallowell has stated that "the biggest problem we face in terms of the perception of ADHD is ignorance and stigma." He has also stated that "contentiousness around ADHD is simply rooted in ignorance."[17] Hallowell believes ADHD is due to a "biochemical imbalance in the brain".[18]
On September 15, 2005, Hallowell said, "Whenever you get someone with ADHD diagnosed and treated successfully, everyone wins. Along with behavioral therapy, medication is good because it can improve adults' relationships, parenting skills, job performance, even their sex lives".[19] In a 2013 interview, Hallowell said that, when used properly, stimulant medication is safe and benefits patients with ADHD in 80% of cases. He said children as young as 4 years old can use it and that his oldest patient was 86 years old.[20] Hallowell estimated that 15% of the population have ADHD.[20] The DSM state 5% have it.
Hallowell believes that Adderall and other stimulant drugs are safer than aspirin. He also believes Coffee is more toxic than Adderall.[21] Hallowell has been a paid consultant for McNeil Pediatrics, who make stimulant drugs including Adderall and Concerta.[22]
In 2018, he said, "prisons are full of people with undiagnosed ADHD, as are the lines of the unemployed, the marginalized, the addicted and the depressed. ADHD can ruin a person's life, or hold them back from ever reaching their full potential". A study conducted in 2018 found that 25% of the prison population had undiagnosed ADHD.[23][24]
Hallowell supports the official and updated definition of ADHD developed by the DSM-5 Task Force.[25] ADHD does not always include hyperactivity, and Hallowell says that this type, known as ADHD Inattentive Type, occurs frequently in women.[26] In 2020, Hallowell said that the term Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a horrible term, and that "individuals with ADHD don't have a deficiency of attention, but an abundance of it." Hallowell claims that ADHD does not always include hyperactivity but can include an inability to follow through on assignments at work or at school, misplacing things, avoiding tasks or getting distracted easily.[27] Hallowell also believes that hyperactivity can be a misleading symptom and can lead to individuals going undiagnosed in some cases.[17] Hallowell has described the ADHD brain as a Ferrari engine with bicycle brakes.[28][29]
According to Sophie McBain in a New Statesman article in 2022, Hallowell was part of a small circle of professionals, drug companies and advocacy groups who pushed for a loosening of the diagnostic criteria, fuelling a precipitous rise in ADHD diagnosis rates in the US. Indeed, by 2013, one in five boys in US high schools were considered to have it, with the majority receiving medication.[30]
Hallowell and Ratey created a new term, VAST (Variable Attention Stimulus Trait), to describe ADHD more effectively, and wrote about this extensively in their new book, published in January 2021.[31][32][33]VAST derives from the fact that people with ADHD are drawn to high stimulation situations and their attention varies based on the level of stimulation within the situation.[17] Hallowell also created the term sensitive euphoria: when individuals with ADHD are criticized or rejected, they typically wilt, while forms of encouragement and recognition help them immensely.[17]
Hallowell has written over 20 books on ADHD and other psychological topics, writes a monthly blog about the topic and is a regular contributor to ADDitude Magazine. He also serves on the ADHD Medical Review Panel for ADDitude.[34] In 2018, he was awarded the National Alliance on Mental Illness' Leader of Mental Health Awareness Award.[35] Hallowell has been a podcast host since 2015. In October 2020, he began posting educational videos on TikTok.[36][non-primary source needed][37][2]
In May 2015 Hallowell asserted that "The people who colonized this country were loaded with the ADHD genes, hence our current gene pool is well stocked with ADHD. It has driven our greatest successes–but is also why we are such a violent nation.[38]
Books
Hallowell has authored 20 books. His Distraction series, co-authored with Dr John Ratey, is focused on a strength-based approach to ADHD.
Distraction series
ADHD 2.0: New Science and Essential Strategies for Thriving with Distraction – From Childhood Through Adulthood[39] – January 12, 2021
Driven to Distraction (Revised):[40] Recognizing and Coping with Attention Deficit Disorder Paperback – September 13, 2011, with John Ratey
Answers to Distraction[41]– January 12, 2010, with John Ratey
Delivered from Distraction:[42] Getting the Most out of Life with Attention Deficit Disorder – December 27, 2005, with John Ratey
Driven to Distraction at Work:[43] How to Focus and Be More Productive – January 1, 2003
Married to Distraction:[44] How to Restore Intimacy and Strengthen Your Partnership in an Age of Interruption – February 8, 2011, with Sue Hallowell
Other books
Finding the Heart of the Child (1993) Essays on Children, Families, and Schools– January 1, 1997
When You Worry About The Child You Love (1997) – August 27, 1997
Worry: Hope and Help for a Common Condition – September 14, 1998
Connect: 12 Vital Ties That Open Your Heart, Lengthen Your Life, and Deepen Your Soul – April 1, 2001
Human Moments: How to Find Meaning and Love in Your Everyday Life– September 7, 2001
Shine: Using Brain Science to Get the Best from Your People– January 13, 2011
The Childhood Roots of Adult Happiness: Five Steps to Help Kids Create and Sustain Lifelong Joy – August 26, 2003
A Walk in the Rain With a Brain – Picture Book, September 28, 2004
Dare to Forgive: The Power of Letting Go and Moving On– January 15, 2006
Crazy Busy:[45] Overstretched, Overbooked, and About to Snap! Strategies for Handling Your Fast-Paced Life– March 27, 2007
Superparenting for ADD: An Innovative Approach to Raising Your Distracted Child– February 23, 2010
Because I Come From A Crazy Family (The Making of a Psychiatrist) – June 12, 2018
TV appearances
Hallowell has appeared on television several times discussing ADHD. He has appeared on 20/20, 60 Minutes, the BBC, CNN, Dateline, Good Morning America, The Jane Pauley Show, The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Dr. Phil Show, PBS, The Today Show, The View, and many local news programs.[46] He also has appeared on the Revolution show with Ty Pennington and Jennifer Ashton.[47]
Personal life
Hallowell grew up in Chatham, Massachusetts.[48] His father had bipolar disorder and initially received psychiatric treatment for misdiagnosed schizophrenia.[49][50] His mother remarried and subsequently divorced an abusive alcoholic.[51] Hallowell had two brothers: John, who became a Hollywood reporter and died in 2015, and Ben, who graduated from the Naval Academy.[52]
Hallowell lives in the Boston, Massachusetts, area with his wife, Sue, a social worker. They have three adult children.[53]
Legal issue
In May 2015, Hallowell was charged for allegedly groping a makeup artist at an interview taping in 2014. Hallowell did not dispute the claim and told police the incident was a misunderstanding and any touching was "inadvertent". The accuser later said, "I may have misconstrued Dr. Hallowell's intention, as he did nothing beyond the initial contact", and that she did not wish for Hallowell to be prosecuted. In September 2015, a judge ordered the charges to be dropped.[54][55]
Related Research Articles
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by executive dysfunction occasioning symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity and emotional dysregulation that are excessive and pervasive, impairing in multiple contexts, and otherwise age-inappropriate.
Methylphenidate, sold under the brand names Ritalin and Concerta among others, is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant used medically to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and, to a lesser extent, narcolepsy. It is a primary medication for ADHD ; it may be taken by mouth or applied to the skin, and different formulations have varying durations of effect, commonly ranging from 2–4 hours. For ADHD, the effectiveness of methylphenidate is comparable to atomoxetine but modestly lower than amphetamines.
Developmental disorders comprise a group of psychiatric conditions originating in childhood that involve serious impairment in different areas. There are several ways of using this term. The most narrow concept is used in the category "Specific Disorders of Psychological Development" in the ICD-10. These disorders comprise developmental language disorder, learning disorders, motor disorders, and autism spectrum disorders. In broader definitions ADHD is included, and the term used is neurodevelopmental disorders. Yet others include antisocial behavior and schizophrenia that begins in childhood and continues through life. However, these two latter conditions are not as stable as the other developmental disorders, and there is not the same evidence of a shared genetic liability.
Adderall and Mydayis are trade names for a combination drug called mixed amphetamine salts containing four salts of amphetamine. The mixture is composed of equal parts racemic amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, which produces a (3:1) ratio between dextroamphetamine and levoamphetamine, the two enantiomers of amphetamine. Both enantiomers are stimulants, but differ enough to give Adderall an effects profile distinct from those of racemic amphetamine or dextroamphetamine, which are marketed as Evekeo and Dexedrine/Zenzedi, respectively. Adderall is used in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. It is also used illicitly as an athletic performance enhancer, cognitive enhancer, appetite suppressant, and recreationally as a euphoriant. It is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant of the phenethylamine class.
Dexmethylphenidate, sold under the brand name Focalin among others, is a potent central nervous system (CNS) stimulant used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in those over the age of five years. It is taken by mouth. The immediate release formulation lasts up to five hours while the extended release formulation lasts up to twelve hours. It is the more active enantiomer of methylphenidate.
Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is the persistence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults. It is a neurodevelopmental disorder, meaning symptoms must have been present in childhood except for when ADHD occurs after a traumatic brain injury. Specifically, for ADHD, multiple symptoms must be present before the age of 12, according to DSM-5 diagnostic criteria. The cutoff age of 12 is a change from the previous requirement of symptom onset, which was before the age of 7 in the DSM-IV. This was done to add flexibility in the diagnosis of adults. ADHD was previously thought to be a childhood disorder that improved with age, but recent research has disproved this. Approximately two-thirds of childhood cases of ADHD continue into adulthood, with varying degrees of symptom severity that change over time, and continue to significantly affect individuals' daily functioning in multiple domains.
Cognitive disengagement syndrome (CDS) is an attention syndrome characterised by prominent dreaminess, mental fogginess, hypoactivity, sluggishness, slow reaction time, staring frequently, inconsistent alertness, and a slow working speed. To scientists in the field, it has reached the threshold of evidence and recognition as a distinct syndrome.
Russell Alan Barkley is an American retired clinical neuropsychologist who was a clinical professor of psychiatry at the VCU Medical Center until 2022 and an author of books on attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Involved in research since 1973 and a licensed psychologist since 1977, he is an expert on ADHD and has devoted much of his scientific career to studying ADHD and related fields like childhood defiance. He proposed to change the name of sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) to concentration deficit disorder (CDD) and later cognitive disengagement syndrome (CDS).
Guanfacine, sold under the brand name Tenex (immediate-release) and Intuniv (extended-release) among others, is an oral alpha-2a agonist medication used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and high blood pressure. Guanfacine is FDA-approved for monotherapy treatment of ADHD, as well as being used for augmentation of other treatments, such as stimulants. Guanfacine is also used off-label to treat tic disorders, anxiety disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder predominantly inattentive, is one of the three presentations of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In 1987–1994, there were no subtypes and thus it was not distinguished from hyperactive ADHD in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-III-R).
Despite the scientifically well-established nature of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), its diagnosis, and its treatment, each of these has been controversial since the 1970s. The controversies involve clinicians, teachers, policymakers, parents, and the media. Positions range from the view that ADHD is within the normal range of behavior to the hypothesis that ADHD is a genetic condition. Other areas of controversy include the use of stimulant medications in children, the method of diagnosis, and the possibility of overdiagnosis. In 2009, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, while acknowledging the controversy, stated that the current treatments and methods of diagnosis are based on the dominant view of the academic literature.
Lisdexamfetamine, most commonly sold under the brand name Vyvanse and Elvanse among others, is a stimulant medication that is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adults and for moderate-to-severe binge eating disorder in adults. Lisdexamfetamine is taken by mouth. Its effects generally begin within two hours and last for up to 14 hours. In the United Kingdom, it is usually less preferred to methylphenidate for the treatment of children.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder management options are evidence-based practices with established treatment efficacy for ADHD.
ADDitude magazine is a quarterly consumer publication about attention deficit hyperactivity disorder owned and operated by WebMD, LLC in New York, NY. It contains feature and service articles about ADD, ADHD and comorbid conditions including depression, anxiety, and learning disabilities like dyslexia. It addresses topics including: diagnosing ADHD in children and adults, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder management and treatments including medication and/or alternative therapies, parenting children with ADHD, learning disabilities and school challenges, and living with adult ADHD. ADDitude magazine is described by child psychotherapist Keath Low as "The happy, healthy lifestyle magazine for people with ADD." It aims to be an advocate for children and adults with ADHD.
Levoamphetamine is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant known to increase wakefulness and concentration in association with decreased appetite and fatigue. Pharmaceuticals that contain levoamphetamine are currently indicated and prescribed for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obesity, and narcolepsy in some countries.
Hyperactivity has long been part of the human condition, although hyperactive behaviour has not always been seen as problematic.
Driven to Distraction may refer to:
John Joseph Ratey is an American physician who is associate clinical professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School.
Stephanie Moulton Sarkis is an author who has written six self-help books.
Take Your Pills is an hour-long American documentary from 2018, directed by Alison Klayman and produced by Motto Pictures and Netflix Studios. The documentary explores the positives and negatives of taking psychostimulant medications such as Adderall. The film is a series of interviews with college students and working adults who are prescribed stimulants for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), along with parents who touch on the difficulties raising children with ADHD and interviews with professionals commenting on the use of stimulants.
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