I see a lot of adults with ADHD, so I have given this matter a lot of thought and actually read many of the well-known books before coming up with the list below. Some of the most famous books have a lot of stories about patients with ADHD which can be helpful for some patients to realize that they are not alone. But, they have very few practical strategies that patients can apply on their own.
I was looking for books that would give patients practical advice of the type that an ADHD coach would give. Below is the list of five that I recommend to my patients.
Why five and not just one? Because they address different aspects of the problem. I ask my patients to start with buying the first two. Total cost? $30. The ridiculously low price for these books will provide a lifetime of priceless advice about coping skills for ADHD.
But, don’t patients with ADHD have difficulty reading books?
1. The books don’t have to be read cover-to-cover. They should be approached like an instruction manual or cookbook rather than like a novel to be read just once. I tell them to browse through them and find a “recipe” that they like and is relevant to what is bothering them right now. They should try that strategy and keep looking for another one.
2. Also, it is critical that at least one person who is supporting the patient should also be reading the book along with the patient so that they are both looking for strategies together.
Note: I have not included in this list a book about issues specific to women or to couples only because I have not read those and can’t vouch for any of them. Rather, the list applies to all adults with ADHD/ executive dysfunction.
The five books that have the most practical suggestions for patients are:
1.ADD-Friendly Ways to Organize Your Life
by Judith Kolberg and Kathleen Nadeau.
2.The Disorganized Mind: Coaching Your ADHD Brain to Take Control of Your Time, Tasks, and Talents
by Nancy Ratey.
3.Taking Charge of Adult ADHD
by Russell Barkley.
4.More Attention, Less Deficit: Success Strategies for Adults with ADHD
by Ari Tuckman.
5.The Mindfulness Prescription for Adult ADHD: An 8-Step Program for Strengthening Attention, Managing Emotions, and Achieving Your Goals
by Lidia Zylowska.
Recommended by Rajnish Mago, MD
Excellent book with very specific and very practical guidance in how to practice various mindfulness-based meditations. The comments are customized for persons with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder though the practices are suitable for anyone.
Related Pages
ADHD—Resources
Start here to learn about ADHD and executive dysfunction
BEST Books on Adult ADHD: for Clinicians
BEST Books on Adult ADHD: For Patients and/or Families
Book Review: ADD-Friendly Ways to Organize Your Life
Book review: Mindfulness Prescription for ADHD
Alarmy: An alarm that makes you PROVE that you are really awake!
ADHD as a difference in cognition, not a disorder. Talk from TEDx (YouTube video)
Four C’s for dealing with ADHD (YouTube video)
Things that can masquerade as ADHD (YouTube video)
What are the BEST books on each topic related to psychiatry/ mental health?
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I recommend a book “A Radical Guide for Women with ADHD” by Sari Solden. It is from the unique perspective of messaging -both what client thinks of their own action and how their view of self is shaped by ADHD. Workbook format that also provided some practical tips for managing symptoms and impact on the workplace. Patients have given very good feedback on their experience with this book.
Do you have a list of book recommendations for school age children or teenagers?
Hi Rajnish: I wanted to let you know how easy it was to get a list of books for ADHD on Simple and Practical. I just put ADHD books as search item and low, I was there. This is how easily we would like all information available and at finger tips for clinicians.
Good job with this
Thanks, Narsimha! At the top of every page is a Menu — that is the best way to see what is on the website. Book recommendations are under RESOURCES. Try the Menu and do let me know if there is something you don’t find through the Menu so that we can fix it. You can also remember that book recommendations are under /books. What that means is https://simpleandpractical.com/books