Smart but Stuck offers 15 true and compelling stories about intelligent, capable teens and adults who have gotten "stuck" at school, work, and/or in social relationships because of their ADHD. Dr. Brown highlights the often unrecognized role that emotions play in this complex disorder. He explains why even very bright people with ADHD get stuck because they can focus well on some tasks that interest them, but often can't focus adequately on other important tasks and relationships.

Drawing on the latest research findings, the book describes strategies and treatments for getting "unstuck" to move on to a more rewarding and productive life.

THOMAS E. BROWN, PhD, is a Clinical Psychologist, Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Yale University School of Medicine, and Associate Director of the Yale Clinic for Attention and Related Disorders. He is the author of several books including the award-winningAttention Deficit Disorder: The Unfocused Mind in Children and Adults (Yale University Press, 2005), which has been published in seven languages. Visit him at www.drthomasebrown.com.

The Author ix

Acknowledgments xi

Introduction 1

1 ADHD and the emotional brain 7
A new understanding of ADHD and emotions; why emotions can be so troubling in the lives of those with ADHD; how the ADHD brain processes emotions differently; the influences of temperament and experiences on emotions and motivations.

2 Eric 43
Im in a great university where I want to do well, but I just cant get myself motivated to do the work. I did really well in high school; now my grade shave tanked. Ive been spending too much time hanging out with my girlfriend and smoking weed. Ive tried some ADHD medicines, but they make me too jittery.

20-year-old university student

3 Karen 65
My parents always taught me that I have an obligation to behave and achieve in ways that would not bring shame on my family. When I failed out of college, they helped me prepare to try again. I wanted very much to do it, but on that critical day when I was supposed to start the last two courses I needed to get readmitted, I was too afraid to walk in the classroom door.

22-year-old university student

4 Martin 81
Im in Mensa, but I earned no credits in my first two years at collegeI was too baked to get myself to class. Now Im doing well in a few courses where the professors are really interesting, but I cant get started on writing papers and often skip class. With my miserable academic record, whats the use in my trying to graduate?

23-year-old university student

5 Sarah 103
Ive been married twenty-five years, have three great kids, and had a decent career as a journalist, but I just got fired because I couldnt prioritize and keep up with my work. Since menopause Ive had trouble keeping track of things and getting work done. Ive always had some trouble with these things, but its recently been getting worse.

50-year-old homemaker and mother

6 Mike 119
My dad always said that Im smart but just lazy; maybe hes right. I got put on academic probation, and now I have to drop out. Im always spacing out and cant get myself started on anything until the last minute. I tried my friends ADHD medicine and it helped alot, but my dad doesnt want me getting evaluated for ADHD because he says the meds are like steroids.

21-year-old university student

7 Lisa 137
Other kids dont seem to get my jokes and arent interested in who I am. I try to make friends, but no one ever calls me back when I call them. I try to talk with my parents about it, but my dad doesnt understand kids and my moms always yelling at me. ADHD meds help me get schoolwork done, but they dont help with social stuff.

15-year-old high school student

8 Steve 155
My wife divorced me three months ago, and then a month later I got fired from my jobboth because of my ADHD! Meds help some, but not enough. I get stuck doing some things and dont get around to doing whats really important. I procrastinate, and everything takes me way too long. Im good at programming computers, but not at programming myself.

32-year-old computer programmer

9 Sue 169
Until I got into middle school, I always got really good grades and never got into trouble. Now everybody thinks Im hopeless just because I dress Goth and dont do much homework. My parents and teachers all look down on me just because of the friends I hang out with. They dont really know me or my friends!

14-year-old high school student

10 Matt 185
When I was in high school, I had friends. When I got to college, I didntknow anyone and was too shy to make friends. I just kept to myself and almost never left my room except to go to class or get meals. I got pretty depressed, and after a while my sleep got messed up. Ive stopped going to some of my classes.

18-year-old college student

11 Lois 203
I teach special education, so Ive taught a lot of kids with ADHD, but never realized I have it. I have trouble organizing my stuff and finishing paperwork on time, and sometimes Im forgetful. I got through college and Ive been teaching for ten years, but over the past year Ive had a harder time, and those ADHD problems are getting worseespecially since difficulties at home began.

37-year-old school teacher

12 James 219
If I dont finish four papers this month, Im going to be put on probation at school. I
just cant get myself to finish. Ive had this problem for a long time, but now its worse than ever before. Ive done the research for most of my papers, but I cant get myself past the first paragraph in any one of them. Im stuck!

20-year-old college student

13 Getting Unstuck 235
How do the emotions of these teens and adults affect their education, work, family interactions, and social relationships? What treatments are useful for helping people with ADHD get unstuck from these difficulties? What can family members, friends, teachers, clinicians, and counselors do to help?

Questions for Discussion 243

Notes and Additional Reading 251

Index 267