For the ADHD-curious
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When people tell me they're ADHD-curious – about themselves or someone else – here's what I send to them.
These are the two books I recommend for the ADHD-curious.
- Driven to Distraction (Revised) by Edward M. Hallowell M.D. and John J. Ratey M.D
- You Mean I'm Not Lazy, Stupid or Crazy? by Kate Kelly and Peggy Ramundo
They were both really helpful to me. The first one is a little more science-focused and the second one is more focused on lived experiences.
Driven to Distraction has a really good diagnostic tool. The other one has a diagnostic as well, but I don't remember much about it.
If you decide that you are "one of the people dealing with ADHD..."
- Hallowell & Ratey's ADHD 2.0 is an excellent resource.
- Russell Barkley, PhD is a leader in the field whose excellent YouTube channel "is dedicated to disseminating the science about ADHD." He posts very regularly about all things related to the topic, from "Weekly Research Updates" to "Recent Celebrities with ADHD" – Nelly Furtado!
- How to ADHD by Jessica McCabe is another fantastic book. In fact, I would recommend this very strongly for most people. The layout of the book itself was designed with ADHD people in mind. And McCabe's writerly voice is casual, caring, and inviting.
- Jessica McCabe also has a fun and informative YouTube channel of the same name. Here's a good one →
And one last thing →
When I mention my ADHD to people, it's very common for them to respond, "Well, everybody has ADHD these days." And yes, it's true that modern life and insidious technology mean that many people are dealing with some challenges that mirror the effects of ADHD.
However – ADHD is real. It creates real suffering and powerful obstacles and it can have serious consequences that go way beyond short attention spans and a difficulty with getting things done.
Please don't underestimate ADHD and please don't dismiss or invalidate the experiences of people who are dealing with it. We deserve better than that.
However – ADHD is real. It creates real suffering and powerful obstacles and it can have serious consequences that go way beyond short attention spans and a difficulty with getting things done.
Please don't underestimate ADHD and please don't dismiss or invalidate the experiences of people who are dealing with it. We deserve better than that.