Dr. Edward Hallowell discusses his new book ADHD 2.0 and VAST
Making your life VAST and full of potential What if instead of thinking of ADHD as a deficit and a disorder, we saw it for what it really is, a way of being in the world which with the right support can be a wonderful way of being?
Drs Hallowell and Ratey introduced a new term for ADHD in their latest book ADHD 2.0. It’s VAST, or Variable Attention Stimulus Trait. The old term with its emphasis on pathology, on a “deficit disorder” is inaccurate and stigmatizing. The new term is far more accurate, allowing for positive attributes, not just negative ones. Dr Hallowell explains the rich and complex world of VAST and how a simple change in framing can set off an entire shift in thinking and treatment.
Course Features
- Lectures 2
- Quizzes 0
- Duration 61 minutes
- Skill level All levels
- Language English
- Students 157
- Assessments Yes
Curriculum
- 1 Section
- 2 Lessons
- 61 Minutes
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8 Comments
Wow. Your level of detestation definitely surpass the severity of the situation; to the point of trolling. However, I think, in short, you believe that his also bringing up any positives that may be a part of the condition, will render in people like us not getting the care we need. I did not get that as a take away as that was only a small section in a chapter. I believe there is room for many clinicians in this field. There was a lot of fortune telling and mindreading in your commentary. Striving to be better than, how the field on ADHD will change in some extreme fashion where no one can seek help anymore, that everything in his book is a “lie” vs his perspective, etc. Such cognitive distortions can surely result in anger and fear. It is okay that you did not like the book, but there is no need, in any situation to bash someone. Use data not hate. Re-evaluate who is on a pedestal. In my opinion, it was an interesting book that was rather easy to complete, which is quite the task for me. I’d prefer they use less acronyms, as my mind quickly forgets them and has to go back. I really loved his way of explaining “time” as “now, and not now”. It may be a more helpful way for me to explain how time works for me. and…oops! I have a patient in one minute. See? Now, and not now. 🙂
“Don’t be a hater, use data!” I like it!
Both Hallowell and Barkley have valuable information to share, they just have different approaches to the same goal: to help people with ADHD. I can view your comment as your way of trying to help people with ADHD, as well, even though I don’t agree with everything you say. To me, it’s a matter of perspective. To each their own. Cheers, mate.
Hallowell is a 73 year-old man trying to make a name for himself as “the person who renamed the condition known as ADHD” before he dies at the expense of literally every person younger than he is who actually has ADHD. He propagates the thoroughly debunked *myth* that ADHD is a “superpower.” If you let him do what he wants, renaming ADHD and removing the “deficit” and “disorder” elements, telling everyone it’s a “superpower,” then you can say goodbye to receiving any treatment, including meeting with a therapist/psychologist/psychiatrist and having access to any medications, especially stimulants (which have been proven to be the most effective treatment for ADHD, along with education). No one is going to support medication and other treatment for anyone who says they have a “superpower” with “super entrepreneurial skills” and “super creativity,” and denies having a scientifically proven “disorder” or “condition.” Not only that, but literally every so-called “trait” Hallowell lists in his books as something all people with ADHD have is pure nonsense. They are simply personality traits some people have, just like any other personality trait. They have literally *nothing* to do with having ADHD. Dr. Russell Barkley, the world-recognized expert on ADHD (50+ years of research) has explicitly proven through peer-reviewed scientific research that Hallowell’s “VAST” “superpower” nonsense is all lies based on nothing but myth and uneducated uninformed propaganda. Look up his lectures on YouTube (free). He is regularly asked to speak to and train actual psychiatrists and therapists in conference settings as keynote speaker. Listen to what he tells them and the evidence he provides. Hallowell provides zero scientific (including clinical) evidence to support his “People with ADHD are all entrepreneurial and have superpowers” garbage. Nothing but unconfirmed anecdotes that can’t be proven. While the actual experts, the scientist and researchers AND the clinicians (psychiatrists and therapists) have definitively proven he is 100% wrong. But, hey, it sells books, doesn’t it? Who wants to actually put in the work you develop the skills that actually help in managing ADHD, when you can just say it’s a superpower. Hallowell is giving help to all the ADHD deniers who say ADHD doesn’t exist, that it’s just a way for you to get drugs, and fund the pharmaceutical companies. He is crushing people with ADHD, hurting them all, in his quest to be remembered. No, “Dr.” Hallowell. You’re not going to hurt us in your narcissistic obsession to promote yourself at the expense of others. Doctors take an oath “first, to do no harm.” Remember your oath, Edward, and stop hurting people who actually have ADHD and need support. Forget your desire to be the one to name it and retract your lies so they don’t hurt any more of us. Please. And listen to Barkley; he’s your better by far, and you know it. Get off your pedestal and acknowledge the truth before you go.
I’m listening to the book right now… I don’t see where your anger is directed at all. This world needs more positive insights instead of focusing on the negative all the time and I hope you get some of that positive energy sent your way.
We don’t need positivity nor pseudoscience. It has been proven time and again ADHD is a disorder, a deficit, a disability. Some lucky ones are creative or intelligent AS WELL as having ADHD. The clinical construct is completely dissasociated from those “benefits”. And previous poster clearly said while this fake positivity is DAMAGING. No, we don’t need fake positivity. We need to combat it.
People will still care for people who are exceptional in their conditions. Nothing is taken away apart from the sense that there is something “wrong” with you. A belief system that expands on the notion that nothing is a waste in this universe, and reframes words that only create duality and separation, is ultimately of no use to bring relief to peoples’s suffering and it will still propagate it. It’s good to acknowledge our exceptionalities so we can learn more about ourselves and how we by default interact with the world, and how symbiotically the world and us evolve. The challenges that one faces when dealing with the current status quo of society will still be acknowledged, but maybe the status quo may change with the reframing of your exceptionality and the pressure you feel to perform as “normal” person may be lifted in result. Behaviours have a wide spectrum, and all will be taken into consideration.
Thank you for articulating this so clearly. I agree with you on this and it is a very important point.