Sign-In
Cart
Hocus Focus: Coming of Age With ADD and Its Medicines
Paperback
Biographies GeneralAttention Deficit Disorder (ADD-ADHD)Mental Health
Publisher: Solis Libres
Published: Oct 11 2023
Pages: 304
Weight: 0.85
Height: 0.68 Width: 5.50 Depth: 8.50
Language: English
Written with vivid detail and transparency, Russell Kramer's memoir is a portrait of a boy's sensitive vitality in collision with the collective. It is also the portrait of a young man of tremendous integrity who dares to leave the seductions of stimulant medication and face the task of building a grounded, creative life. I highly recommend this book not only to those affected by ADD/ADHD and stimulant medications, but to anyone sensitive to the struggles of young adulthood. It's a beautifully written book.
-Anne
Hocus Focus offers perspective on the phenomenon of using stimulants to treat ADD through personal experience of using them from childhood to early adulthood.
We have been treating ADD with stimulant medications for decades and counting. While the medications provide a tremendous benefit for many users, it is important to examine the phenomenon, as R.L. Kramer has observed it personally. One of the most challenging aspects of the medications in his experience was that they worked. After being diagnosed in 1996, R.L. Kramer started using stimulant medications to treat his Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). He experienced benefits and continued using until his early twenties. When confronted with the reality of his need for medication, he sought to understand better how to focus on his own, and wrote to better understand his relationship to ADD and the substance he used to keep it at bay.
This personal story of growth, indecision, recklessness, bodily injury, and aimless determination is not only a testament to an unspoken experience of the millennial generation, but it is a timeless story of growing up. Kramer and the amphetamine form a bond and together go on many adventures, several of which are presented in Hocus Focus. Without trepidation towards mind-altering substances, he explores other drugs. He drops out of college twice, graduates and then rides a bike across the United States. He holds many jobs, makes art in an endless fervor, and writes poems in coffee shops. When he can't fill his prescription, withdrawal pitches him into a reversal effect of what was once a source of energy, happiness and productivity, making him depressed, irritable, and unable to feel useful. He is shown plant medicine and finds healing through habits and growth. He examines what was that is at the core of his attention troubles and becomes committed to managing his ADD without medications.
This book contains discussions of drug use and suicidal ideation.
Also from
Kramer, R. L.
Also in
Mental Health
The ADHD Workbook for Kids: Helping Children Gain Self-Confidence, Social Skills, & Self-Control
Shapiro, Lawrence E.
Paperback
The Chemistry of Joy Workbook: Overcoming Depression Using the Best of Brain Science, Nutrition, and the Psychology of Mindfulness
Emmons, Henry
Paperback
Trauma and Recovery: The Aftermath of Violence--From Domestic Abuse to Political Terror
Herman, Judith Lewis
Paperback
The Mindful Way Through Depression: Freeing Yourself from Chronic Unhappiness [With CD]
Segal, Zindel
Williams, Mark
Teasdale, John
Paperback
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma
Van Der Kolk, Bessel
Paperback
Unfuck Your Brain: Using Science to Get Over Anxiety, Depression, Anger, Freak-Outs, and Triggers
Harper, Faith G.
Paperback
The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness
Haidt, Jonathan
Hardcover
The Courage to Be Disliked: The Japanese Phenomenon That Shows You How to Change Your Life and Achieve Real Happiness
Koga, Fumitake
Kishimi, Ichiro
Paperback
Unlearn Your Pain: The Science of Recovering from Chronic Pain, Fatigue, Anxiety, and Depression
Schubiner, Howard, MD
Hardcover
A Guide to Open Water Lifesaving: Lessons on Love, Care, and Survival: A Memoir
Eubanks, Virginia
Hardcover
The Life-Changing Art of Self-Brain Surgery: Connecting Neuroscience and Faith to Radically Transform Your Life
Warren MD W. Lee
Hardcover
Codependent No More: How to Stop Controlling Others and Start Caring for Yourself (Revised and Updated)
Beattie, Melody
Paperback
How to Deal with Your ____ So Your Kids Don't Have to: An Encyclopedia for Ditching Your Emotional Baggage
Harwood, Eli, M. a. Lpc
Hardcover
Breaking Free of Child Anxiety and OCD: A Scientifically Proven Program for Parents
Lebowitz, Eli R.
Paperback
The Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Workbook: Practical Dbt Exercises for Learning Mindfulness, Interpersonal Effectiveness, Emotion Regulation, a
Brantley, Jeffrey
McKay, Matthew
Wood, Jeffrey C.
Paperback
Your Ocd Will Hate This Book: A Proven System to Overcome Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Take Back Your Life
Peterson, Nathan
Hardcover
Why We Fight: A Transformative Road Map to Healing Conflict in Any Relationship
Polinder, Kim
Hardcover
It's Ok That You're Not Ok: Meeting Grief and Loss in a Culture That Doesn't Understand
Devine, Megan
Paperback
Why Does Everybody Hate Me?: Living and Loving with Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria
Partridge, Alex
Paperback
Taking Charge of Adult ADHD: Proven Strategies to Succeed at Work, at Home, and in Relationships
Barkley, Russell A.
Paperback
The Complex PTSD Workbook: A Mind-Body Approach to Regaining Emotional Control and Becoming Whole
Schwartz, Arielle, PhD
Paperback
My Grandmother's Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies
Menakem, Resmaa
Paperback
It Didn't Start with You: How Inherited Family Trauma Shapes Who We Are and How to End the Cycle
Wolynn, Mark
Paperback
The Biology of Trauma: How the Body Holds Fear, Pain, and Overwhelm, and How to Heal It
Apigian, Aimie
Hardcover
How Will I Ever Get Through This?: Evidence-Based Tools to Help You Heal from Hardship, Grief, and Loss
Hone, Lucy
Paperback
El Cuerpo Lleva La Cuenta: Cerebro, Mente Y Cuerpo En La Superación del Trauma / The Body Keeps the Score
Van Der Kolk, Bessel
Paperback
When the Ache Remains: Lessons on Tending to the Unfixable and Finding Beauty Anyway
Olivera, Lisa
Hardcover
The Internal Family Systems Workbook: A Guide to Discover Your Self and Heal Your Parts
Schwartz, Richard C.
Paperback
The Digital Delusion: How Classroom Technology Harms Our Kids' Learning--And How to Help Them Thrive Again; Updated Edition
Cooney Horvath, Jared, PhD Med
Paperback
Self-Care for People with ADHD: 100+ Ways to Recharge, De-Stress, and Prioritize You!
Hamdani, Sasha
Hardcover
The Success Trap: How the Pressure to Stand Out Is Fueling Anxiety, Depression, and Burnout in Teens--And the Fundamental Fix They Deserve
Slavin, Stuart, MD Med
Hardcover
Parenting Anxiety: Breaking the Cycle of Worry and Raising Resilient Kids
Elkins, Meredith, PhD
Elkins, Meredith, PhD
Hardcover
Finding Meaning: The Sixth Stage of Grief Workbook: Tools for Releasing Pain and Remembering with Love
Kessler, David
Paperback
Trauma and Recovery: The Aftermath of Violence---From Domestic Abuse to Political Terror
Herman, Judith Lewis
Paperback
What Happened to You?: Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing
Winfrey, Oprah
Perry, Bruce D., M. D. PH. D.
Hardcover
Once I Get Started: The Adult ADHD Program for Turning Your Intentions Into Actions
Ramsay, Russell, PH. D.
Hardcover
The Simple Guide to ADHD Regulation: The Secret to Finding Balance, Getting Things Done, and Enjoying Your Life
Free CCC, Jenna
Hardcover
The Neurodivergence Skills Workbook for Autism and ADHD: Cultivate Self-Compassion, Live Authentically, and Be Your Own Advocate
Kemp, Jennifer
Mitchelson, Monique
Paperback
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma
Van Der Kolk, Bessel
Hardcover
Therapy Nation: How America Got Hooked on Therapy and Why It's Left Us More Anxious and Divided
Alpert, Jonathan
Hardcover
Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma: The Innate Capacity to Transform Overwhelming Experiences
Levine, Peter A.
Paperback
Good Moms Have Scary Thoughts: A Healing Guide to the Secret Fears of New Mothers
Kleiman, Karen
Hardcover
Overcoming the Wall of Awful: Why It's Hard to Get Things Done with Adhd, Autism, and Anxiety (and How to Do Them Anyway)
Mahan Med MS, Brendan
Capell, Alex Hughes
Hardcover
Mind Over Mood: Change How You Feel by Changing the Way You Think
Greenberger, Dennis
Padesky, Christine A.
Paperback
How to ADHD: An Insider's Guide to Working with Your Brain (Not Against It)
McCabe, Jessica
Hardcover
Self-Care for Autistic People: 100+ Ways to Recharge, De-Stress, and Unmask!
Neff, Megan Anna
Hardcover
Rewire Your Anxious Brain: How to Use the Neuroscience of Fear to Overcome Anxiety, Panic, and Worry
Pittman, Catherine M.
Karle, Elizabeth M.
Paperback
The Courage to Be Disliked: The Japanese Phenomenon That Shows You How to Change Your Life and Achieve Real Happiness
Kishimi, Ichiro
Koga, Fumitake
Hardcover
I Hate You--Don't Leave Me: Third Edition: Understanding the Borderline Personality
Kreisman, Jerold J.
Straus, Hal
Paperback
Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World
Murthy, Vivek H.
Paperback
Your Anxiety Is Giving Me Anxiety: A Survival Guide for Thriving in a High-Stress World
April, Elizabeth
Paperback
One in Five: Why Child Sexual Abuse Is Our Biggest Public Health Crisis--And What We Can Do to Stop It
Letourneau, Elizabeth J.
Malone, Luke
Hardcover
Why We Suffer and How We Heal: Using Narrative, Ritual, and Purpose to Flourish Through Life's Challenges
Song, Suzan, MD PhD
Hardcover
Where Do You Feel That in Your Body?: Moving Beyond Talk Therapy to Understand the Language of the Nervous System
Saunders, Simone
Hardcover
Embracing Our Fragmented Selves: A Workbook for Trauma Survivors and Therapists
Fisher, Janina
Paperback
MANUAL SUPERANDO PÉRDIDAS EMOCIONALES, vigésimo aniversario, edición extendida: programa de acción para superar la muerte, el divorcio y otras pérdida
Friedman, Russell
James, John W.
Paperback
Stop Walking on Eggshells: Taking Your Life Back When Someone You Care about Has Borderline Personality Disorder
Mason, Paul T. T.
Kreger, Randi
Paperback
Even the Darkest Night: A Father's Journey of Hope and Healing from Paternal Depression
Choukalas, Christopher G., MD
Hardcover
Unfuck Your Brain Workbook: Using Science to Get Over Anxiety, Depression, Anger, Freak-Outs, and Triggers
Harper, Faith G.
Paperback
Nervous Systems: Spiritual Practices to Calm Anxiety in Your Body, the Church, and Politics
Billups, Sara
Paperback
The Unfragile Mind: A Physician's Call for Restoring Hope and Humanity to Mental Health Care
Francis, Gavin
Hardcover
Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life: The New Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Hayes, Steven C.
Paperback
Mind Drama: The Science of Rumination and How to Outwit Your Inner Defeatist
Nakazawa, Donna Jackson
Hardcover
The Road Less Traveled, Timeless Edition: A New Psychology of Love, Traditional Values and Spiritual Growth
Peck, M. Scott
Paperback
The ADHD Effect on Marriage: Understand and Rebuild Your Relationship in Six Steps
Orlov, Melissa
Paperback
Ungrateful Immigrant Daughter: A Memoir from the Child of a Mail-Order Bride
Suvorova, Katya
Paperback
Holy Hurt: Understanding Spiritual Trauma and the Process of Healing
McBride, Hillary L., PhD
McBride, Hillary L., PhD
Paperback
Mind Your Body: A Revolutionary Program to Release Chronic Pain and Anxiety
Sachs, Nicole J., Lcsw
Hardcover
Practicing Mindfulness: 75 Essential Meditations to Reduce Stress, Improve Mental Health, and Find Peace in the Everyday
Sockolov, Matthew
Paperback
Thriving with ADHD Workbook for Kids: 60 Fun Activities to Help Children Self-Regulate, Focus, and Succeed
Miller, Kelli, Lcsw MSW
Paperback
I Want to Die But I Still Want to Eat Tteokbokki: Further Conversations with My Psychiatrist
Sehee, Baek
Paperback
A Radical Guide for Women with ADHD: Embrace Neurodiversity, Live Boldly, and Break Through Barriers
Frank, Michelle
Solden, Sari
Paperback
The Joy of Solitude: How to Reconnect with Yourself in an Overconnected World
Coplan, Robert J.
Hardcover
Overcoming Unwanted Intrusive Thoughts: A Cbt-Based Guide to Getting Over Frightening, Obsessive, or Disturbing Thoughts
Winston, Sally M.
Seif, Martin N.
Paperback
Your Brain's Not Broken: Strategies for Navigating Your Emotions and Life with ADHD
Rosier Tamara Phd
Paperback
Living Well with Adult ADHD: Practical Strategies for Improving Your Daily Life
Knouse, Laura E.
Barkley, Russell A.
Paperback
Freedom from Panic: Evidence-Based Techniques to End Avoidance and Stop Panic Before It Stops You
Zucker, Bonnie
Paperback
Retrain Your Brain: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in 7 Weeks: A Workbook for Managing Depression and Anxiety
Gillihan, Seth J., PhD
Paperback
Strength beyond the Shadows: Overcoming a Childhood of Trauma, Neglect, and Sexual Abuse
Gehle, Seth
Paperback
I Don't Want to Talk about It: Overcoming the Secret Legacy of Male Depression
Real, Terrence
Paperback
Enciende Tu Cerebro: La Clave Para La Felicidad, La Manera de Pensar Y La Salud
Leaf, Dra Caroline
Paperback
Artistry of the Mentally Ill: A Contribution to the Psychology and Psychopathology of Configuration
Prinzhorn, Hans
Paperback
Anxiety Relief for Kids: On-The-Spot Strategies to Help Your Child Overcome Worry, Panic, and Avoidance
Walker, Bridget Flynn
Paperback
Psychedelic Medicine & Internal Family Systems (Ifs) Therapy: A Clinical Skills Manual
Schwartz, Richard C.
Sweezy, Martha
Lovas, David
Paperback
How I Know White People Are Crazy and Other Stories: Notes from a Frustrated Black Psychologist
Lassiter, Jonathan
Hardcover
Reclaiming Your Life from Medical Trauma: Recognize the Symptoms, Find Treatment That Works, and Heal Your Brain and Body
Jackson, James C.
Hardcover
The Borderline Personality Disorder Workbook: An Integrative Program to Understand and Manage Your Bpd
Fox, Daniel J.
Paperback
The Wisdom of Your Body: Finding Healing, Wholeness, and Connection Through Embodied Living
McBride, Hillary L., PhD
Paperback
How to Make Your Brain Your Best Friend: A Neuroscientist's Guide to a Healthier, Happier Life
Barr, Rachel
Hardcover
Unoffendable: How Just One Change Can Make All of Life Better (Updated with Two New Chapters)
Hansen, Brant
Paperback
Unwinding Anxiety: New Science Shows How to Break the Cycles of Worry and Fear to Heal Your Mind
Brewer, Judson
Paperback
Radiance in Pain and Resilience: The global reverberation of Palestinian historical trauma
Maté, Gabor
Berger, Elizabeth
Jabr, Samah
Paperback
How to Thrive at College: A Guide to the Ups and Downs of Mental Health on Campus
Ross, Mathilde
Paperback
Healing Autistic Burnout: A Neuroaffirming Guide for Connecting with Your Authentic Self, Restoring Your Energy, and Advocating for Your Needs
O'Connor, Sharon Kaye
Paperback
F*ck Anxiety: 101 Ways to Soothe Anxiety, Stop the Panic + Get Back to Your Badass Self
Douglas, Lauren
Paperback
El Tdah Es Genial: Una Guía Práctica Y Divertida Para Adultos Que Desean Avanzar En Su Vida / ADHD Is Awesome: A Guide to (Mostly) Thriving with ADHD
Holderness, Penn
Holderness, Kim
Paperback
The Lies We Tell Ourselves: How to Face the Truth, Accept Yourself, and Create a Better Life
Frederickson, Jon
Paperback
The Awakened Brain: The New Science of Spirituality and Our Quest for an Inspired Life
Miller, Lisa
Hardcover
Mind Over Grind: How to Break Free When Work Hijacks Your Life
Winch, Guy, PH. D.
Winch, Guy, PH. D.
Hardcover
Girlhood, Translated: Understanding Young Women in the Age of Therapy Speak and Self-Diagnosis
Garfinkle-Crowell, Suzanne, M. D.
Hardcover