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15 Must-Read ADHD Books

Reviewed by Melinda (Santa) Gladden, LCSW · December 02, 2020 ·

When it comes to mental health disorders, such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), there are plenty of formal treatment options that you can use to help overcome your symptoms and improve your daily life. However, there are also things that you can do on your own to help improve the way that you feel and function. There are plenty of ADHD books on the market to help you learn more about the disorder and what you can do to manage it.

For many years, there have been ADHD books and ADHD articles geared towards parents of children with the disorder. However, now there are also plenty of options for adults that are impacted by ADHD as well. You can scan through the list below to see which titles jump out at you. Alternatively, you can try asking your doctor or therapist for recommendations as well.

Books for Parents That Have Children with ADHD

  1. Thriving with ADHD Workbook for Kids: 60 Fun Activities to Help Children Self-Regulate, Focus, and Succeed by Kelli Miller LCSW MSW

The author of this book is a mental health professional who happens to be the mother of two children with an ADHD diagnosis. She knows through both professional and personal experience, the impact that ADHD can have on children.

This book is meant to encourage children with ADHD while also helping them learn how to play an active role in managing their symptoms. It is geared for children aged 7 to 12 years old.

  1. What Your ADHD Child Wishes You Knew: Working Together To Empower Kids for Success In School And Life by Dr. Sharon Saline

This book focuses on helping parents learn how to work with their child instead of against them to make everyday life run a little smoother. This book has won several awards and is known for practical tips to help kids and their parents.

  1. Taking Charge of ADHD: The Complete, Authoritative Guide for Parents by Dr. Russell Barkley

Parenting a child with ADHD comes with unique challenges that others might not understand. Some of the traditional forms of child rearing and discipline might not work. Dr. Barkley provides an 8-step plan to help parents in this area while also assisting them in connecting with their child.

  1. The Misunderstood Child by Dr. Larry Silver

If you have a child with ADHD, you may struggle to understand what they are experiencing. This book can help parents of children with ADHD better understand what is going on and what they can do to help.

  1. The Explosive Child by Dr. Ross W. Greene

In this book, Dr. Ross Greene educates on what is likely to be happening when a child with ADHD or other disorders acts out and misbehaves. He then teaches on a parenting method to help parents and children work together to solve problems. If you are at the end of your rope with parenting, this is a good place to start.

ADHD Books for Adults

  1. The Power of Difference by Gail Salts, M.D.

Instead of focusing on the problems caused by different disorders, this book looks at the often-overlooked positives that can come with them.

  1. Driven To Distraction by Edward M. Hallowell, M.D. And John J. Ratey, M.D.

This is another book that works to focus on the good side of ADHD. It also focuses on overcoming some of the common myths out there and provides tools to cope through any of the struggles you may face.

  1. ADHD & Us: A Couple’s Guide To Loving And Living With Adult ADHD by Anita Robertson LCSW

A counselor who has worked in counseling couples that have ADHD writes this book. This book is meant to help couples better understand the disorder and strategies that can help couples in their relationship. The book includes five pillars of success, a practical approach to adult ADHD, and up-to-date understandings of adult ADHD.

  1. Taking Charge Of Adult ADHD by Russell A. Barkley

If this title sounds familiar, it is because Dr. Barkley wrote a similarly titled book in the list for parents that have children with ADHD. He provides self-assessment tools and exercises to help you manage your symptoms, along with plenty of information about treatment options and answers to frequently asked questions. It is a great resource for anyone looking to take control of his or her symptoms and life.

  1. You Mean I’m Not Lazy, Stupid or Crazy?!: The Classic Self-Help Book For Adults With Attention Deficit Disorder by Kate Kelly and Peggy Ramundo

This book is written for adults with ADHD by adults that have ADHD. It provides practical steps and actions that you can take in your own life. The book also addresses some lesser talked about ways that ADD affects your life, such as its impact on human sexuality and the difference between the disorder in males and females.

  1. Delivered From Distraction: Getting The Most Out Of Life With Attention Deficit Disorder by Edward M. Hallowell and John J Ratey

This book is a follow-up to the book Driven to Distraction. It addresses some of the new findings that researchers have learned about ADHD over the years. The book aims to view ADHD as simply a trait that a person has, not a disorder, by changing its impact on your life. It also provides lifestyle changes you can make to help address ADHD in your life.

Other ADHD Books

  1. This Is Your Brain On Food by Uma Naidoo MD

This book is not just geared for only people with ADHD. It has also to help people who struggle with challenges such as PTSD, anxiety, depression, OCD, and more. We tend to think of the food that we eat only affecting our physical health, but it also affects our mental health. Certain foods can affect you negatively, and other ones can help you overcome some of your symptoms related to these mental health challenges.

  1. The ADHD Effect On Marriage: Understand And Rebuild Your Relationship In Six Steps by Melissa Orlov and Edward Hallowell

If you or your spouse has been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, this book can be a great resource for you. ADHD can create unique challenges within marriage. This book provides advice from the personal experience of the author and lots of research. It helps both partners see what areas they can improve to improve their relationship as a whole.

  1. Organizing Solutions For People With ADHD by Susan Pinsky

Many people who struggle with symptoms of ADHD also struggle with staying organized. This book helps provide practical on getting organized at work, at home, with kids, and in other areas of your personal life. It also addresses common challenges, such as procrastination and time management.

  1. Cluttered Mess To Organized Success by Cassandra Aarssen

While this book is not geared just towards people with ADHD, many people struggle with it. This book was written by the host of HGTV’s show Hot Mess House, and it is all about helping you address the clutter in your home and life.

Options Outside Of ADHD Books

While there are plenty of books on ADHD, there are also other ways that you can educate yourself about the disorder and how you can manage it. You can check as well out many blogs and podcasts.

You may also find it helpful to join a support group or online forum for other people in similar situations. This could include other adults with ADHD or parents that are raising children who have ADHD. Connecting in communities like these can allow you to connect with others who understand what you are going through and the symptoms you are experiencing. People within the group can provide a first-hand personal experience that you can learn from. 

Outside of doing your own education to learn how to manage ADHD in your life, it can help speak with your doctor or mental health professional. Not only can they provide you with additional resources to help you learn about the disorder, but they can also provide you with treatment options to help as well.

Different forms of therapy can help people with ADHD. Alternatively, you may benefit from medication to help you address your symptoms. Different options work for different people, so you need to get the best help. If you are just starting out researching ADHD and are wondering if you have it, you can take this online ADHD quiz to learn more.

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