ADHD ADDults

I just finished reading Jim Livingstone’s “ADHD ADDults” and I am mesmerized. I used to have a slight antipathy towards so called “Self-Help Books” as most just did not work for me. One diagnosis and the revelation of “There are books written for me!” later, I need to rethink my opinion and must admit that most of those self-help books that initially shaped my disappointment were simply not written with people like me in mind. And that is not to say I consider myself superior or inferior – in contrast, but I am just wired differently.
As someone who was diagnosed with ADHD as an adult, this book called out to me, I can’t describe it any differently. And I am massively glad to announce that it did not disappoint. The author masterfully shows he knows what he is talking about, by being able to connect information about how people with ADHD think and work, with questions to ask oneself supported by a paragraph with proposed ways to combine both into actions. Anyone with ADHD or ADD probably can relate to why this is so wonderful: The struggle to jump from collecting knowledge into acting on it can be quite frightening thus any help is valued. Another point I really appreciated in Livingstone’s book was the ADHD-adjusted way of explaining: Using concise and precise language, as well as supporting the newly acquired knowledge by supplying a succinct summary at the end of every chapter, prevents a 90-mph brain from getting lost in phrases or paragraphs, wandering off and loosing focus.
Not once in this book did I feel lectured, looked-down upon or like someone just told me to “just get it done”. If it were that easy, I would not need a nonfiction book about how to, would I? Mr Livingstone, however, was able to teach, while making me feel heard and seen without being judged. I related to many of the struggles presented and I was able to form a more thorough understanding of how my brain, jokingly called magpie-brain because it keeps searching for new shiny things to obsess over, actually works.
After a first read I am now left with a lot of highlighted passages, a course of action as well as a ton of new(ly connected) knowledge to use and apply in my daily life. I am certain this was not my last read and I fully intend on revisiting those chapters repeatedly. I am also very thankful for the shift from ADHD as a hindrance to a chance and a skillset that might even prove beneficial.
Thank you, Mr Livingstone and Netgalley, for providing me a digital copy of this book to be reviewed.