The Little Monster: Growing Up With ADHD
by Robert Jergen
List Price:
Our Price: $11.46
You Save: $23.49 (67%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Category: Book
See more book details and other editions
Book Summary Information
Author: Robert JergenEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2004-03-15
ISBN: 1578861047
Number of pages: 200
Publisher: R&L Education
Book Reviews of The Little Monster: Growing Up With ADHD
Book Review: A Final Understanding!
Summary: 5 Stars
I was one of hopefully many individuals who got to read the book "The Little Monster" By Robert Jergen. Let me first say that I myself suffer from a very extreme case of ADHD as my parents and teachers have so thoughtfully pointed out.
I first read an article in the newspaper telling me about this new book about ADHD, by the time I finished I knew I HAD to get this book. Even though I wasn't much of a reader and usually when I get excited about something it ends up in disappointment, this I just had to take a chance.
I started to read the book and it was like learning I had ADHD all over again. I felt like I was reading a biography of an alternative me. I'm starting to wonder if this is the normal life of someone with ADHD. The entire book was a roller coaster ride of emotions and feelings. From the constant reminders of how my own life was like. To kinda funny things that I am surprised I didn't do myself. For the first time in nearly 3 years I cried, it did something I never had expected, expesaly out of a book. If my life's memories were a pool of liquid this book was like a sieve and the stuff it brought up was intense. All my old memories, stuff I had buried without realizing it. (Even my ADHD itself I buried. I had totally forgotten I had ADHD over the years. Every day I'd be taking these pills and never think of WHY I was taking them.) It wasn't until I saw the article and began reading the book that these thoughts came zooming back into my head like an army of angry flies. Stuff that was too painful to reflect on and only popped in my mind now and then sending me into an automatic "mmmMm" A grumble much like Marge on The Simpsons.
This book very much reminded me of my own life. It made me face age old memories that have haunted me from the day I could crawl. And with reading more and more of the book I learned that not everything that I caused was entirely my fault. Years of blaming myself for what I did or how I acted gone with a turn of the page. Who would of thought...
I wasn't some lazy kid who had no future. Who was smart, but decided to throw his life away. No, in many cases, I was a victim, like many other people who suffer from ADHD. Course my parents as well as myself knew I had ADHD, (granted it took 6 years, but I can't really complain too much after hearing this story) but I never realized that ADHD caused such havoc, that made people do such things. I always thought ADHD just caused restlessness and made it hard to concentrate. The rest was my own fault and I had only myself to blame. This book has changed that perspective, it has taken TONS of weight off me. Things I've been carrying all my life are gone.
The book also gave me some insight on to control impulses that have plagued me all my life. Not only did it stun me with how similar my life was to the book, but it gave me help to control many things that have made me suffer over the years. It taught me a few study habits which I plan on using in my senior year of high school. Perhaps my record of going for 7 straight years without studying may finally come to an end.
In the book it also gave me some insight on how to be happy. Being happy is probably one of the biggest challenges of my life. Me saying I'm an optimist is laughable, very few times do I remember me ever truly being happy. I'd live behind a simple shell. Try to look like I'm doing ok so my school wouldn't call my parents (again) saying I'm going to kill myself.
This book has also changed the way my parents look at me at which I don't think I can ever be repaid. One of the things I've always wanted was just to make my parents proud. Now that they understand me more that goal looks brighter than ever. I was also interested to learn all of the "good" things about ADHD expesaly after I just read through Robert's terrible childhood. He much like myself, didn't seem to like his life at all and to say he'd soon grow to love ADHD was almost unbelievable.
This book has even made me recognize myself, who I have forgotten all these years. Originally me, now an 18 year old, with my future looking dimmer than a flash light low on batteries. I've realized that people do understand me and just as important I now understand myself. I've realized that people with ADHD CAN AND DO make it in this world. I can be so much.
I'm recommended all ADHDers to read this book. I find it one of the only true insights in ADHD unlike the typical ADHD book "tends to have trouble concentrating" and the same old story. Also I recommend any parents who have children who suffer from ADHD (or ADHD symptoms) to read this book. Had my parents read a book like this one 15 years ago. My life would of not nearly of been so bad. In a way you'll not only be doing yourself a favor by finally understanding your child, but you'll be doing him/her a favor. One of the things ADHDers all want out of life is just to be understood and this book comes very close to making that come true. Because of all this I will be keeping an eye out for other books that Robert has written. If it was anything like this one I'm in for quite a treat.
Summary of The Little Monster: Growing Up With ADHD
Diagnosed with ADHD while he was a struggling college student, Robert Jergen's incredible life story progresses from being a happy child who enjoyed school and wanted to learn to a state of withdrawal and depression because of the constant reprimands from his parents and teachers.By eighth grade, Jergen had twice tried killing himself. By college, he was an alcoholic. Finally, when he thought he was going to end up in a "white padded room," he was diagnosed with ADHD. Years of pain, anguish, frustration, anger, and rejection were suddenly explained.
Jergen describes how he turned ADHD into an asset that enabled him to get his Ph.D. in half the time as his non-ADHD peers, become a tenured associate professor at age 34, publish five books in two years, and?most importantly?find peace and happiness.
Jergen presents ADHD from the view of the child who actually has it and illustrates how constant academic and social failures can gradually wear away at the child's self-esteem and feelings of self-worth. The Little Monster is a valuable tool for any parent, professional, or individual who is touched by ADHD or similar conditions.
Memoirs Books
Book Subjects
- Arts & Photography
- Biographies & Memoirs
- Business & Investing
- Children's Books
- Comics & Graphic Novels
- Computers & Internet
- Cooking, Food & Wine
- Entertainment
- Gay & Lesbian
- Health, Mind & Body
- History
- Home & Garden
- Horror
- Law
- Literature & Fiction
- Mystery & Thrillers
- Nonfiction
- Outdoors & Nature
- Parenting & Families
- Professional & Technical
- Reference
- Religion & Spirituality
- Romance
- Science
- Science Fiction & Fantasy
- Sports
- Teens
- Travel
Most talked about in Memoirs Books
Kingdom of Fear: Loathsome Secrets of a Star-Crossed Child in the Final Days of the American Centuryby Hunter S. Thompson
Penguin Books, Limited (UK); Published: 2008-06; Paperback; Book
Best price: $9.11
Price in other shops:
Never Have Your Dog Stuffedby Alan Alda
Arrow Books; Published: 2007-02; Paperback; Book
Best price: $4.59
Price in other shops:
The Hunger: A Story of Food, Desire, and Ambitionby John DeLucie, Graydon Carter
Ecco; Published: 2009-05-12; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $1.76
Price in other shops:
Brotherhood of Warriors: Behind Enemy Lines with a Commando in One of the World's Most Elite Counterterrorism Unitsby Aaron Cohen, Douglas Century
Ecco; Published: 2008-04-29; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $6.65
Price in other shops:
Not Lost Forever: My Story of Survivalby Carmina Salcido, Steve Jackson
William Morrow; Published: 2009-10-06; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $4.99
Price in other shops:
Unlocked: The Life and Crimes of a Mafia Insiderby Louis Ferrante
Harper Perennial; Published: 2009-02-24; Paperback; Book
Best price: $6.97
Price in other shops:
Writing Places: The Life Journey of a Writer and Teacherby William Zinsser
Harper; Published: 2009-05-19; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $4.08
Price in other shops:
Got the Life: My Journey of Addiction, Faith, Recovery, and Kornby Fieldy
William Morrow; Published: 2009-03-10; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $3.98
Price in other shops:
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life (P.S.)by Barbara Kingsolver, Camille Kingsolver, Steven L. Hopp
Harper Perennial; Published: 2008-04-29; Paperback; Book
Best price: $6.10
Price in other shops:
The Ride of My Lifeby Mat Hoffman
It Books; Published: 2003-09-16; Paperback; Book
Best price: $15.95
Similar Books and other products
Exceptional Lives: Special Education in Today's Schools, Student Value Edition (6th Edition)by Ann Turnbull, H. Rutherford Turnbull, Michael L. Wehmeyer, Wehmeyer, Dorothy Leal
Prentice Hall; Published: 2010-08-30; Loose Leaf; Book
Best price: $79.24
Price in other shops:
Is It You, Me, or Adult A.D.D.? Stopping the Roller Coaster When Someone You Love Has Attention Deficit Disorderby Gina Pera
1201 Alarm Press; Published: 2008-08-31; Paperback; Book
Best price: $16.76
Price in other shops:
Laughing Allegra: The Inspiring Story of a Mother's Struggle and Triumph Raising a Daughter with Learning Disabilitiesby Anne Ford, John-Richard Thompson
William Morrow; Published: 2003-05; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $1.97
Price in other shops:
Rethinking Disability: A Disability Studies Approach to Inclusive Practices (Practical Guides (McGraw-Hill))by Jan Valle, David Connor
McGraw-Hill Humanities/Social Sciences/Languages; Published: 2010-02-03; Paperback; Book
Best price: $29.00
Of Beetles and Angels: A Boy's Remarkable Journey from a Refugee Camp to Harvardby Mawi Asgedom
Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing; Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; Published: 2002-09-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $4.99
Price in other shops:
ADHD--Living Without Brakesby Martin Kutscher
Jessica Kingsley Publishers; Published: 2009-09; Paperback; Book
Best price: $12.40
Price in other shops:
Thinking in Pictures (Expanded, Tie-in Edition): My Life with Autism (Vintage)by Temple Grandin
Vintage; Published: 2010-01-26; Paperback; Book
Best price: $7.35
Price in other shops:
One Boy's Struggle: A Memoir: Surviving Life with Undiagnosed ADDby Bryan L. Hutchinson
Infinity Publishing; Published: 2008-01-11; Paperback; Book
Best price: $10.89
Price in other shops:
Parenting Children with ADHD: 10 Lessons That Medicine Cannot Teach (APA Lifetools)by Vincent J. Monastra
American Psychological Association (APA); Published: 2005-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $9.29
Price in other shops:
ADHD and Me: What I Learned from Lighting Fires at the Dinner Tableby Blake E. S. Taylor
New Harbinger Publications; Published: 2008-02-02; Paperback; Book
Best price: $6.50
Price in other shops: