Member Reviews
For a feminist's guide to ADHD, I am surprised that it wasn't more gender-inclusive.
I feel like there could be a little inclusion about the gender language used in the book, or at least addressing the use of pronouns, as well as the preferred language throughout the book for people with female reproductive organs. Perhaps a distinction is that of sex, rather than gender? Other books have done this well, and it might be pertinent to expanding upon this or add a note about it. I would highly recommend the editors and author add something to address this because it shows humility and addresses how one wrote the book. Perhaps the author and editors did not think of this, but it's something that other books have done well and could be used here, especially for an author who is using 'feminist' in the title.
That aside, I like this as a quick and comprehensive guide to ADHD, and the fact that it urges readers to self-advocate and gives them the necessary information and tools to do so. Asking for accommodations, for instance, is a huge thing that many people in the workforce don't readily utilize-- even if they *do* have a documented disability. I like the amount of care that Maschke put in her book to address and suggest these crucial tips and tricks. If I had known or had this book earlier, I probably would have asked for similar accommodations while I was in university or grad school too.
Looking forward to seeing if they take my suggestions before publishing!
So I chose to read this because we think my 14yo daughter may have ADHD and we, like so many other parents/carers are struggling to get help. I thought this may help me to understand the condition more.
I thought this was a great book about females and ADHD and how, over the years, it has been massively overlooked in our sex compared to boys. It is so informative about absolutely everything surrounding the condition through a woman's life. It's also a bonus that the author has ADHD too.
Each chapter starts by explaining what it is going to be addressing, then at the end of each, it gives you key parts to take away and think about. The author does a good job of breaking everything down in an easy way, so as the reader, you fully understand what is being told to you. There are case studies throughout that help to understand the ways an ADHD person feels and goes about things.
Throughout this book, it covers how ADHD and hormones work with the condition. Periods, pregnancy, and even through to menopause are talked about.
The only part I struggled with was when it explained how an ADHD brain works, no fault of the author, I just found it a lot of scientific explanation that my own brain struggled to process. After a couple more times of reading this section, I would have a better understanding of it.
I loved all the coping techniques and self-help exercises there are in this book. There are so many to try if you find yourself struggling.
This is a perfect book for those who may think they either have Adhd or know someone who may have it. Or for those who have just gotten a diagnosis of the condition. It's a good starting book.
Thanks to NetGalley and Watkins Publishing for my advanced copy.
My opinions are my own.
If you were diagnosed later in life with ADHD, this book is really informative and helpful. I found myself highlighting a lot of parts and sometimes entire pages. It's thorough and covers a lot of different parts of ADHD and what you might be feeling as you work through your new diagnosis.
Highly recommend to anyone looking for more information or even validation on how they have felt as a person with ADHD.
It was split up into clear chapters so you can pick and choose what to read and come back to it when you want. You could really pick it up from anywhere and start reading, it's segmented in a way that appeals to ADHD readers with a synopsis at the end of each chapter. (Love that!)
Thank you to netgalley and Watkins Publishing for an ARC to review.
This book is an excellent resource that I'd recommend to any woman who has or thinks she may have ADHD. It addresses topics such as brain chemistry, the misdiagnosis of ADHD in women, the link between hormones and ADHD and much more that otherwise might be overlooked by other generalized ADHD books. The relevant case studies supplemented the material nicely and really gave credibility to the research behind this guide. I also appreciated that the author knew her audience with the key takeaways each chapter!
Well I think I have determined that I do not have ADHD after reading this book but I am convinced some of my female family members do have it.
Recently I’ve been going through the diagnosing process of ADHD, which was very new to me. In this book I felt seen in my behaviors. Thank you so much to the author and net galley for this e-arc!
An amazing tool for women with ADHD. I was recently diagnosed and have tried a handful of books on the subject and was only able to find information that I already knew or books that gave the “girlboss your way out of it” vibe but this one was amazing. There were so many things I identified with and tools to work with my disorder. I loved how each chapter had the key takeaways and main topics so if I zoned out a bit I could get back on track easily
A straightforward, approachable, easy to digest introduction to ADHD in women with practical guidance on how to manage.
Thank you to NetGalley, the Author, and Watkins Publishing for access to a digital ARC. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!
I will say that this book is a helpful resource to have if you are looking at the possibility of an ADHD diagnosis, or dealing with a system that is very heavily geared towards male diagnosis and diagnosis in childhood. I do find that this book was broken down in a bit of an odd way, with some of the symptoms and management put together a bit oddly.
I did think that it was helpful to have a resource for women, although I wouldn't strictly call it a guide so much as an introduction. It is hard, however, to put together an exhaustive resource, so I appreciate the effort of the author in putting together a solid introductory resource.
I really enjoyed the way this book was presented. The case studies were particularly helpful and relatable for me. I appreciated that the author used smaller sections than many similar books, having ADHD sometimes makes it difficult to follow lengthy chapters. There were sections of the book I found myself heavily invested in and was able to use them to research the topic and learned a great deal about my ADHD in the process.
Some good information and a good starter book for the newly diagnosed! Hard to give a totally accurate rating due to the poor formatting and the fact it seems like this proof has not yet been fully scrutinised and edited!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my feedback!
"A Feminist's Guide to ADHD" is a vital resource exploring ADHD through a femme/women's lens, offering insights often overlooked in traditional ADHD literature. It covers gendered symptoms, diagnosis, treatments, and management strategies in an accessible and informative manner. This guide is essential for anyone seeking understanding and support in managing ADHD, providing valuable tools and empowering insights for neuro-diverse individuals.
I hadn't heard of this book until I stumbled upon an ARC for it, and I am beyond glad that I did. This guide offers a refreshing and much-needed perspective on ADHD, particularly in the context of women's experiences.
Accuracy: ★★★★☆
As someone who isn't an expert on ADHD, I can't fully vouch for the book's accuracy. However, I found many similarities between myself and the content discussed. The information feels well-researched and resonates with my personal experiences, lending it credibility.
Perspective: ★★★★☆
The perspective is well-informed and essential. ADHD in women is often overlooked, and this book sheds light on the unique challenges faced by women with ADHD. Janina Maschke brings a compassionate and insightful voice to this important subject.
Relevance: ★★★★★
The topic of this book is incredibly relevant. ADHD in women is still not spoken about enough, and this guide helps bridge that gap. It’s a vital resource for understanding and addressing the gender-specific aspects of ADHD.
Engagement: ★★★★☆
The engagement of this book is great. It held my interest throughout and provided valuable insights that are both informative and relatable. The author’s writing style is engaging and accessible, making it easy to connect with the content.
Readability: ★★★★☆
The readability of this book is wonderful. The language is clear and straightforward, making complex topics easy to understand. The structure of the book is well-organized, enhancing the overall reading experience.
Enjoyment: ★★★★☆
I really enjoyed this read. It offers a balanced mix of personal anecdotes, research, and practical advice. It’s both enlightening and empowering, making it a worthwhile read for anyone interested in ADHD and women’s health.
‘A Feminist’s Guide to ADHD’ by Janina Maschke is a powerful and necessary addition to the literature on ADHD. It provides valuable insights into the often-overlooked experiences of women with ADHD, making it a must-read for those looking to understand and support women in this context. This book is engaging, informative, and highly relevant, offering a fresh perspective that is much needed in today’s world.
This is a really good intro into ADHD in women. I think it would be very helpful for someone with a new diagnosis, or somebody with ADHD looking for validation through shared experience. A lot of what was said in this book felt deeply relatable, and it was a good feeling knowing I was not alone in certain experiences.
However, the "feminism" in this book is not particularly intersectional and does not seem to extend beyond cisgender women in a Western culture. Much of this book assumes that societal expectations of boys and girls are the same world wide. The Feminism in the title felt a bit like a buzz word to get more social justice minded readers interested, but I didn't see feminism as a strong theme throughout the book. I think a more accurate title would be "A cisgender woman's guide to ADHD."
As an educator, this is unbelievable helpful when considering how such a common disorder manifests differently in girls versus boys. Definitely informative and immediately useful!
It’s been difficult to finish this book. I would recommend taking notes or highlighting to better digest the information.
At the end of each chapter they have a summary of “Key Takeaway”, and I appreciate this.
I think this is a general guide for the average person to understand ADHD, and only the beginning of understanding ADHD for women. They do touch on hormones and physiological impact on ADHD, masking, and how to adapt your lifestyle to living with ADHD to overcome struggles.
I would recommend this book to people who are only just learning about ADHD, who maybe need some guidance for themselves or someone they care for.
I am not a fan of the cover art, and I hope they make it better. To me it says “outdated”, even though the information inside is actually up to date as of 2024 and is very helpful. Despite the rule of “Don’t judge a book by its cover”, cover art is important, and if I saw this in a store I wouldn’t purchase.
Ideal for folks who have recently been diagnosed with or believe they might have ADHD. This book was informative, and I found myself nodding along to the authors story (we were even diagnosed at the same age!) The key takeaways and front of chapter headers were really helpful in keeping track of what was going on in the book, and I found it structured very well. My favorite chapter was on masking, which I hadn’t really seen previously in other books on ADHD as much. 4.25/5
Easy read with lots of great info if you have ADHD or think you might. The book has lots of suggestions for strategies geared towards women specifically. It does a great job of detailing what female hormones can do to ADHD.
It was hard to rate this one because the formatting was awful and the book seems very much unfinished. I think it shows potential and I look forward to reading it when it comes out
Thank you Netgalley and Watkins for an advanced copy of this book.
Having recently been diagnosed on my 30s, my world was turned upside down. I always knew there was something about me that did not add up, that no matter what I did, I seemed unable to achieve like my peers and keep on going at the same pace. I actually was not at the same pace, and ADHD was to blame for many of my shortcomings.
This guide is fantastic for all the women like me who were unheard, unrecognised, and misdiagnosed, cought up in the "depression" and "anxiety" loop, unable to move because that was never their issue. This is a compact yet comprehensive collection of valuable information for anyone who has been recently diagnosed or is stareting the long process into it.
I will definitely buy the physical copy, and recommend it to others.