The Best Women With ADHD Books For Managing ADHD
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is typically defined as a neurodevelopmental condition and form of neurodivergence that can cause inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.
There are three subtypes of this condition, with primarily inattentive ADHD replacing the diagnosis of attention deficit disorder (ADD) from older versions of the DSM. Regardless of the type of ADHD you have, finding accurate educational materials written by a therapist, doctor, or professional ADHD coach can be helpful. ADHD books and workbooks may be most effective when paired with professional help from a licensed therapist.
The best women with ADHD books for managing ADHD
Women tend to be diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder significantly less often than men, frequently due to stigma and a lack of access to accurate diagnostic support. In some cases, they may be misdiagnosed due to a tendency to display more inattentive symptoms than overt hyperactive symptoms.
In general, ADHD is a lifelong condition that cannot be cured. For that reason, having resources available to help you cope with symptoms can be a helpful way to manage daily life. Below are some of the best women with ADHD book and workbook recommendations.
The Queen of Distraction by Terry Matlen
The Queen of Distraction: How Women with ADHD Can Conquer Chaos, Find Focus, and Get More Done by Terry Matlen is a book guiding women through symptoms like inattentiveness, forgetfulness, hyperactivity, and organizational challenges. The author uses lists to support easy reading for those with neurodivergent brains.
Terry writes about how ADHD can influence relationships, work, and sensory experiences. She offers advice for women managing ADHD and motherhood and talks about overstimulation, hormonal imbalances, and how ADHD symptoms may impact aging. This book may benefit women looking for an easy-to-read guide to daily life.
A Radical Guide for Women with ADHD by Sari Solden
A Radical Guide for Women with ADHD may be one of the most recommended guides for women with this condition. The book explores how gender bias can impact women in the diagnostic process and when seeking support. It explores different areas of a woman’s life and how ADHD can impact them.
The book generally recommends acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) strategies to manage daily symptoms and reduce unhelpful beliefs that may make it difficult to live authentically. Its primary goal is to help women and girls build confidence and embrace their neurodiversity.
Women with ADHD by Sarah David and Linda Hill
Women with ADHD has several goals for readers, including the following:
- Staying organized
- Overcoming distractions
- Improving relationships
- Managing emotions
- Managing finances
- Succeeding in life
The authors of this book tackle many challenges that may arise in daily life for women with ADHD. It highlights the positive qualities that people with this condition often possess and explores ways to accommodate oneself to make life easier instead of harder.
This book uses targeted treatment methods and step-by-step lists to help readers reduce anxiety, declutter life, have healthier relationships, and manage finances and organization. It takes an approach of acceptance and self-love, reminding readers of the uniqueness of neurodivergent people.
ADHD for Smart Ass Women by Tracy Otsuka
ADHD for Smart Ass Women was written by Tracy Otsuka, a podcast host and author with ADHD. She explores the primarily inattentive subtype of ADHD (ADHD-PI), which tends to be more common in women, and explores the topic of neurodiversity. In the book, readers can learn more about their “personal values, strengths, skills, passions, and purpose.”
Instead of recommending ways to “treat” ADHD, the author explores the concept of finding a life of meaning that fits who one truly is. Tracy explores her own journey with neurodivergence and takes a beginner-friendly approach to demystifying ADHD as a condition.
Divergent Mind: Thriving in a World That Wasn’t Designed for You by Jenara Nerenberg
Divergent Mind is a book exploring neurodiversity as a concept. It discusses neurodiversity for women with ADHD, autism, synesthesia, high sensitivity, and sensory processing disorder. Jenara explains how neurodiversity can be seen as an identity in itself and encourages women to learn to unmask, accept, and embrace their neurodiverse brains and personalities.
For those who believe that their symptoms primarily come from a lack of accommodation and support in a neurotypical world, this book may provide consolation and acceptance. The author explores the gender gap in the diagnosis of ADHD, research on neurodivergence, and stories from people who identify as neurodivergent.
The best women with ADHD workbooks
Workbooks can offer a way to journal and read at the same time. These books may encourage readers to complete worksheets, write about their experiences, or try therapeutic skills at home. They often use skills and psychological perspectives from various therapeutic modalities, including attention and awareness training, traditional marriage counseling, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and mindfulness. Consider the following options for women and adults with ADHD.
Thriving with Adult ADHD by Phil Boissiere
Phil Boissiere shares skills for overcoming executive function challenges when living as an adult with ADHD. Although not a traditional workbook, this book includes prompts for working through daily challenges. You can take the assessments within the book and work through evidence-based exercises that can support individuals with ADHD. This book may be helpful for any adult with ADHD looking to achieve specific life goals, such as career goals, organization, or improved executive function.
CBT Workbook for Adult ADHD by Melanie Spencer
Melanie Spencer writes about the power of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques in managing daily life as a woman with ADHD. Each chapter offers a unique exercise or writing prompt to support readers in implementing CBT techniques in their routines.
Some of the themes you might find in this workbook include the following:
- Coping with being misunderstood
- Improving relationships
- Setting and achieving goals
- Reducing self-limiting beliefs
- Success stories and real-life case histories from others with ADHD
- Improving focus
- Redefining concentration
- Reframing myths about ADHD
- Coping with sudden anger
The Mindfulness Workbook for ADHD by Nicole Foubister, MD
The Mindfulness Workbook for ADHD guides readers through mindfulness practices. Written by a psychiatrist, this workbook uses evidence-based strategies to support mindfulness in a way that considers the unique brain differences and brain patterns in people with ADHD. Mindfulness can reduce stress, depression, and anxiety, which tend to be common comorbid conditions with ADHD.
Some of the practices in this workbook include breathing exercises, mindful walking, mindful eating, and grounding your body in difficult moments. The exercises tend to emphasize improving focus and awareness, which may be helpful for women living with ADHD-PI or combined-type ADHD. This workbook may help women with ADHD develop self-acceptance and body awareness.
Professional support options
ADHD books for women and workbooks with evidence-based exercises can be helpful tools for managing ADHD symptoms. However, these tools may be best used alongside professional guidance. Talking to a licensed therapist can be one way to receive support.
If you're having trouble finding a therapist in your area, you’re not alone. Online therapy platforms like BetterHelp may make treatment more accessible, allowing clients to match with a therapist and meet via phone, video, or live chat sessions. In addition, your therapist may assign you worksheets, which can be helpful tools alongside ADHD books.
Talking to a therapist online can be effective for many clients. A 2022 study found that social function and attention were improved in 95% of participants in an online therapy intervention targeted at managing ADHD symptoms in clients.
Takeaway
ADHD can cause challenging symptoms that may impact daily life. As an adult woman with ADHD, it may be helpful to have books to read or workbooks to complete to help you manage symptoms more effectively. However, these books are generally not a replacement for medical or psychological advice. If you’re struggling with your mental health, it may be helpful to reach out to a therapist online or in your area for personalized guidance and support.
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