Five Books Anyone With Adult ADHD Should Read

In years past, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) was thought to be only a child hood disease, children with ADHD were believed to always be hyperactive, and ADHD was thought to be a disability. Over the last few years, mental health research has made great strides in understanding the ADHD mind. We have learned that ADHD is not a disability but a set of genetic traits, ADHD does not stop at childhood, and that ADHD comes with as many potential benefits as it does drawbacks. These are just a few of the lessons we have learned. Whether you are an adult with ADHD or a family member of a person with ADHD, these five books are essential for your personal library and understanding ADHD. 

Driven to Distraction should be the primer for ADHD. In face, many people believe that Driven to Distraction is such a primer. This book is written by two psychiatrists living with ADHD. It was the book that opened my eyes to the possibility of ADHD. I attribute this book to saving my life and making any success possible. Without this book, I would still be bouncing around in life, wondering why I am not like anyone else. If you have ADHD, are interested in ADHD, or know someone with ADHD then this book should be in your library.

For more information, please visit ADHD Book Review: Driven To Distraction

The origins of ADHD are highly contested. Some believe that ADHD is a set of learned behaviors. Some blame ADHD on bad parenting. There are many other ideas such as genetics, bad diet, immunizations, and many others. The debate about ADHD's origins is almost as contested as "which came first, the chicken or the egg?" In The Edison Gene, Dr. Hartman puts this debate to rest. Dr. Hartman shows us that ADHD is as old as humans themselves. ADHD is not a mental disorder at all but a set of traits used in hunter/gatherer societies.

The Edison Gene is a must read for anyone with ADHD because it explains why we do what we do. Knowing the origin our ADHD allows us to understand what it is, why we have it, and how we can better deal with it. It also helps us to understand that we are not "abnormal". Anyone with ADHD should add this book to their library. My full book review is available at ADHD Book Review: The Edison Gene

Answers to Distraction is the third book by Drs. John Ratey and Edward Halliwell. I bought the book because of my enjoyment of their first book, Driven to Distraction. Drs. Hallowell and Ratey also are uniquely qualified to not only answer questions about but also know which questions people with ADHD ask. They are both medical doctors that were diagnosed with ADHD. This has led them to establish a center for ADHD and spend their careers researching ADHD.

Answers To Distraction is culmination of decades of ADHD work. Drs. Ratey and Halliwell list ADHD questions that they are repeatedly asked. Providing the same answers to you as they give to their ADHD patients. Answers to Distraction will not replace visiting a psychiatrist. Answers to Distraction will highlight questions you may not even know to ask. You can view my full book review at ADHD Book Review: Answers To Distraction

Learning is the basis of American life. As our country moves from an industrial to knowledge based society, success is no longer measured in how many hours you work. Being able to stand at a machine for 16 hours a day and make parts no longer guarantees a job. Too many employers do not care how long you have worked for them or how loyal you have been. Staying consistently employed and making a living for your family is dependent on how much knowledge you have and how you can apply that knowledge. Learn More Now is directly related to these needs.

Learn More Now is the first non-ADHD book on my list. However, Learn More Now provides valuable information to assist you in learning and applying new skills. I have found that the more I learn about myself, the more I am able to harnessing the hidden gifts of ADHD. A large part of this knowledge comes from reading and researching ADHD itself. Another part of this knowledge is learning more about the other parts of my life.

Not everyone is motivated by the same things. Everything we do is because we are motivated to do it. Often, we do not even think about what is motivating us. Motivation becomes important we are faced with a task that we are not interested in. Learning whether you are goal, relationship, or learning motivated? Learn More Now does not just identify your motivational style, it also provides style specific coping mechanisms. These mechanisms will help you identify ways to harness your motivational style to learn more and get more done.

As mentioned earlier, a plethora of misconceptions surround ADHD. Several misconceptions stem from the belief that ADHD is ADHD, is ADHD. That every person should show a certain set of ADHD symptoms. Since ADHD symptoms do vary from person to person, some state that ADHD is not a mental condition at all but a learned set of behaviors. Healing ADHD shows how wrong this thinking is.

Healing ADHD shows that there are actually six types of ADHD. Healing ADHD is a must read for anyone who knows someone with ADHD, has a family member with ADHD, or has ADHD themselves. Healing ADHD explains why ADHD seems to leave at adult hood for some but sticks with others their whole lives.