Criticism reviews —ADD Tip o the day 307

Posted on August 29, 2012 by doug with ADHD

Are you excessively sensitive to criticsm? I don’t know that ADD or ADHD makes us extra sensitive, but maybe it does – our self esteem can be pretty fragile.

I’ve had two negative reviews so far. I’ve been told that negative reviews are better than no reviews at all, and obviously I should just accept them and keep my mouth shut, but they are painful. So-

One guy just totally missed the point, which I, as author, have to take responsibility for. He thought the chapter on keys was about how to find your keys, when it was meant to be about how to use strategies, with the keys as an example. How did I fail to make this clear? There were other things he didn’t like – self centered for one. And I did make it self centered, hoping that would make for more interesting reading than the typical generic case example. Not for him, tho. So, we are all different, and not everyone will like the book.

The other guy liked the content, but found the writing style so simple that it bored him so much he could hardly read it. And I did try to make it simple, endeavoring to eschew the egregious utilization of inordinately elaborate vocabulary while furthermore evading locution involving abundant plethora of words and garrulous redundancy or profound pronouncements and overly elaborate phrasings which conceivably could entangle the readership and obfuscate, erudite though I presume you are.

So every one is unique, and what works for me may not work for you. You need the books and the strategies that work for unique you.

doug

ah, the slings and arrows

About doug with ADHD

I am a psychiatric physician. I learned I have ADHD at age 64, and then wrote two ADHD books for adults, focusing on strategies for making your life better. I just published my first novel, Alma Means Soul. Your Life Can Be Better; strategies for adults with ADD/ADHD available at amazon.com, or smashwords.com (for e books) Living Daily With Adult ADD or ADHD: 365 Tips O the Day ( e-book). This is one tip at a time, one page at a time, at your own pace. It's meant to last a year. As a child, I was a bully. Then there was a transformation. Now I am committed to helping people instead abusing them. The Bully was published in January, 2016. It's in print or e book, on Amazon.

View all posts by doug with ADHD →

This entry was posted in add and tagged ADD, ADHD, adult, adult add, adult adhd, attention, deficit, help for ADD, help for ADHD. Bookmark the permalink.

13 Responses to Criticism reviews —ADD Tip o the day 307

Pingback: ADHD and Self Esteem? A Plan for the New Year—ADHD Tip O the Day 751 | ADDadultstrategies
Joyce Bates says:

August 31, 2012 at 9:37 pm

I think that sensitivity can come because of the low self-esteem issues that go along with ADD. It’s late and I’m tired but I wanted to say that I liked your book because it is so real. And because your sarcasm was not lost on me (through your erudite speech.)
And Betsy, I understood just what you meant in your first post- that is, that everyone is different and there are different books for different people.
Doug, I’ve said it before (even though you don’t know me from Eve) I feel like you’re an understanding grandfather type of person (not old enough to be my grandfather, but….) and that is comforting to me. You are down to earth.
Goodnight,
Joyce

LikeLike

Reply
- addadultstrategies says:
  
  September 1, 2012 at 6:41 am
  
  thank you for your kind comment. i agree about the low self esteem, it’s just been clobbered a lot if we have add or adhd. i am certainly a grandfather type, hopefully understanding too, and very likely am old enough to be yours : )
  glad you like the book
  thank you for commenting
  doug
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply
addadultstrategies says:

August 29, 2012 at 8:42 pm

please let me leave it, i thought it was clear enough, and the more comments the better, just like reviews.
OK?
very glad you got and like the book.
thanks
doug

LikeLike

Reply
Scott Marckx says:

August 29, 2012 at 7:05 pm

I usually read the negative reviews first and then try to read between the lines to see my own opinion of what they are complaining about. I think these reviews may even help people understand that you are on their side and that this IS a great book. I really appreciated the repetition, the personal style, and other strategies within the format of your book that helped me absorb more of what you were teaching. It is still one of the most helpful books I have read on Adult ADD. Thank you for writing it!

LikeLike

Reply
- addadultstrategies says:
  
  August 29, 2012 at 8:40 pm
  
  thank you!
  doug
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply
Pam Moser says:

August 29, 2012 at 3:40 pm

It’s still the most helpful, practical book I’ve read on the subject. I haven’t quite finished but when I do, you’ll get a glowing review on Amazon from me. Thank you for writing this book. Pam

LikeLike

Reply
- addadultstrategies says:
  
  August 29, 2012 at 5:59 pm
  
  well thank you! i would love to get a glowing review.
  thank you for the comment
  doug
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply
addadultstrategies says:

August 29, 2012 at 2:44 pm

thank you, that does make me feel better.
i agree that low self esteem is not a part of ADD, but it seems like its a very frequent consequence. And that probalbly makes us more sensitive to criticism.
as always, i appreciate your comments
dogu

LikeLike

Reply
Scott Andrus says:

August 29, 2012 at 2:16 pm

Obviously the second guy was right. You should make it as difficult as possible for the reader to understand what you’re saying. That way he’ll assume you’re a profound guru, and would follow your counsel if he could understand it.

Illlegitimi non carborundum

Scott

LikeLike

Reply
- addadultstrategies says:
  
  August 29, 2012 at 2:45 pm
  
  that sounds right. its like if the price is high, it must be good. so if someone struggles through difficult reading, they are more apt to apply it!
  thanks for the comment
  doug
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply
betsydavenport says:

August 29, 2012 at 1:01 pm

Excellent review of your two negative reviews. Especially the last part.
The writing style of your book (simple) makes it very accessible for readers; it doesn’t make it dumb. And yes, some won’t care for it. Fortunately, yours is not the only book available. Similarly, what you write may have gone straight past some readers presented in a different way, and be expressed just the way they happen to need it.

I have often thought I have few original ideas, yet the way the ideas are expressed can work, or not, for the reader.

And, I don’t think low self esteem is an ADD trait; I think it is a byproduct of poor handling in a world where it is inconvenient or inexplicable to others.

LikeLike

Reply
- Betsy Davenport, PhD says:
  
  August 29, 2012 at 8:03 pm
  
  I just reread my comment, and it is unclear. When I said “fortunately, yours is not the only book available,” I meant to say that there are lots of books and lots of people, and some people get the same thing from different books. One book says it in a way they get; another doesn’t.
  
  I like your book; have only recently gotten it, but based on only a couple of forays between its covers, have recommended it.
  
  I would be glad if you remove my comment above.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply

	≫ Cinco obviedades \|… on Five Truisms
	doug with ADHD on Five Truisms
	Ken Powell on Five Truisms
	doug with ADHD on Five Truisms
	Ken Powell on Five Truisms