ADD Stole My Car Keys: The Surprising Ways Adult Attention Deficit Disorder Affects Your Life... and Strategies for Creating a Life You Love

by Rick Green, Umesh Jain

Rick Green, creator of the groundbreaking documentary 'ADD & Loving It?!' joins Dr. Umesh Jain to reveal 155 common signs, symptoms, behaviors and challenges that people with ADD face. Through entertaining first-person stories you'll discover the many ways this misunderstood mindset sabotages the lives of adults. They also offer proven strategies you can use to master the challenges of your particular type of ADD, so that you can create a life that you love. Finally!

Genres: Adhd, Nonfiction, Psychology, Self Help

230 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 23, 2011

Reviews

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was full of "That's me!" and "So that's why I..." moments. The workings of the ADHD brain are amazing, and the cause for differences even more so. This truly encouraged me to investigate and determine whether I have ADHD or not. A fascinating read for anyone who may work with ADHD people, it will help you work with them, and make everyone feel more sane.

[Cfxkennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned a lot. It changed how I work with people.

[Edward · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book written by ADDer(s), for ADDers. I would recommend this as a starting place if you are new to your (possible) ADD, or have been recently diagnosed. I felt understood, and even like I belonged somewhere- maybe you will too.

The short chapters oscillated between funny anecdotes and the science/stats behind the disorder. Perfect for short attention spans who seek novelty. They cover the whole range, from the effects of inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity, to common psychological issues (e.g., low self-esteem) resulting from having undiagnosed or untreated ADD. All this being said, the book is really a starting point. Yes, there are helpful tips here and there, and you do gain a better understanding of ADD, but there are more comprehensive books out there on practical tips (e.g., ADD-Friendly Ways to Organize Your Life) or the causes and consequences of ADD (e.g., Taking Charge of Adult ADHD). This is only from my limited reading, and I welcome suggestions for further reading. Aside from books, help is available in the form of friends, family, medication, and coaching. The authors do a decent job of introducing these resources.

An interesting observation: Rick (the comedian)'s contributions became much shorter near the end of the book. Is this the ADD tendency to start many projects but struggle completing (any of) them? Despite being strongly motivated to do so, I took more than a month to get to writing this review. So yeah, I can't imagine writing and publishing an entire book, even with a co-author.

[Julia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I only finished this book because I’m trying to read 30 books this year. I felt like this book was not written for me or my demographic. It definitely had a “boys club” feel to it. Lots of gross sexist jokes. And besides that, there was no info I didn’t already have. It just kinda listed all the reasons ADHD causes problems and then had one chapter with advantages? I was excited by the format with the short chapters but that wasn’t enough to salvage it. Maybe because I’ve read about ADHD a lot, but based on the reviews I really expected more from this book.

[Alicia Velice · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was hoping for some practical advice on how to deal with ADD, did not find that, although i will say it felt good to realize I was not alone in my symptoms, and how I deal with the world. But yeah the strategies were very vague, and perhaps that is what a lot of people need. I on the other hand need a step by step at this point in my life lol.
Would read if you want to be seen and feel like you are not the only one.

[Lauren Werkmeister · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you’re just looking for your symptoms to be validated, this book is great. The doctor is sometimes a bit condescending, and they don’t give a ton of advice on how to actually manage the adhd. It’s also incredibly outdated; should have looked at the year if was published before picking it up at the second hand book store

[Florencia · Rating 1 out of 5]

I expected more science but it's more a bunch of relatable stories. I should have picked a more serious book even if it takes longer to read. I feel this one is too childish. I would return it if I could, left halfway through.

[DEBORAH RAMOS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to read! Concise yet I can relate

I like the length and humor of the book. The examples help validate how I feel and my experience. I am not alone in this

[Busu Hibaki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great introductory book of ADHD if you have family members who have ADHD.

[Sandy Pace · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book it helped me not only see my adhd in a more positive way it also showed me that I’m not alone in the struggles Adhd has caused me throughout my life.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a great introduction to ADHD. It covers so many areas of behaviors and attitudes that are affected by ADHD, and the book is nicely formatted and easy to read. The authors' casual yet helpful asides keep the book light and refreshing while still being informative. However, the authors' humor sometimes fell flat, and as someone who has read quite a bit on ADHD, there wasn't really a ton of new information here.

[Tracy Tennant · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book was easy to read with short chapters to hold the readers attention, and a lot humor. I laughed, I cried, I identified. If someone suspects they might have Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, this book is a great place to start because it gives real-life scenarios of the challenges faced by adults with this condition. By the time you finish the book you'll know whether or not you need to see a doctor for a diagnosis.

[BEVERLY Waite · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so very enlightening. Diagnosed with ADD as an adult, I am so opposite everything that I thought of as ADD. This book was so full of "that's me." It is also "That's my husband " who displays the normally recognized ADD traits. It is a must read for anyone diagnosed with ADD or suspects they are their child may have this personality disorder.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Short chapters can hold the attention of the reader, especially if they suspect that they might have ADHD

[Waseem Abunnadi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful book. I read it with a highlighter in hand, and used it on almost every page. It gives you a very clear perspective, and it's loaded with healthy tips. Glad I read it.