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

Written 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).

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
• Release date: Sep 6, 2016
• ISBN: 9781508227168

Alan Schwarz

Alan Schwarz is a former Pulitzer Prize–nominated investigative reporter for The New York Times whose acclaimed series of more than one hundred articles exposed the seriousness of concussions in the NFL and led to safety reforms for young athletes nationwide. His work was profiled in The New Yorker and honored with a George Polk Award, the Associated Press Sports Editors Award for Project Reporting (three times), and the 2013 Excellence in Statistical Reporting Award from the American Statistical Association. He and his family live in New York City.

Reviews for ADHD Nation

[Sandy Pace · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

the reason more people are getting diagnosed is because more is known about ADHD not due to some scam by pharmaceutical companies and doctors. Books like this do nothing but stigmatize ADHD even more and spread fear and ignorance. I wish I could give less than 1 star because it doesn't even deserve a single one. If you want to get an actual informed opinion regarding ADHD look at the YouTube channel how to ADHD.

Also the only reason I gave it one stat is due to I couldn't give it a lower score

[Hannah Lundberg · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

This book is so dangerous. ADHD diagnosis has improved which means girls and women in particular are getting the help they need.

As one of those people diagnosed late, I wish I could have skipped the decades of struggle and the repeated bouts of suicidal depression that resulted from this undiagnosed, REAL, neuropsychological disorder.

This is alarmist crap being written for profit. Unfortunately, unlike the pharmaceutical industry, we can’t regulate against opportunist authors who release books that aren’t truthful in their reflection of data.

Even worse, it completely overstates Conner’s ‘dismay’ about ADHD diagnoses increasing.

[Kristen · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Any parent with a child diagnosed as ADHD should know the risks of the drugs. Children should be old enough to tell you how it makes them feel. Adults and adolescents abuse Adderall, that is factual. This book gave a good breakdown of the diagnoses as well as the medications prescribed and the companies and doctors behind it. Do your own research, look at things from both sides, factual info, not anecdotal, and you'll make the best choice for you and your child.