Help for Women with ADHD: My Simple Strategies for Conquering Chaos

by Joan Wilder

This short book, written by a journalist, is filled with stories about how it feels to have ADHD and what you can do to make things better. Woven into the anecdotes of frustration and chaos are various tried and true tools, strategies, and supports (printed in bold text) that have helped her – and thousands more -- tackle a handful of classic ADHD challenges. Each chapter covers a different issue, and the clickable Table of Contents makes it easy to fly to the parts of the book that interest you the most. Along with encouraging you to work with the challenging parts of your amazing mind, the book will help you recognize and appreciate its extraordinary parts. Many woman with ADHD are amazingly intuitive, perceptive, creative, authentic, innovative, and bright. Help for Women with ADHD will show you how women with ADHD can excel -- beyond those without ADHD -- when they learn to manage their curious abilities to focus. It will also help you realize that your issues are not unique – that you’re not alone – and that awareness will motivate you to work at unlocking your gifts. Everybody experiences everything that ADHDers experience, but to a lesser extent. So, even if you haven’t been formally diagnosed, you may be dealing with attention deficit symptoms as a result of any number of stressors, including postpartum hormones, PMS, menopause, multitasking, too much screen time, or dietary sensitivities. If that’s your situation, Help for Women with ADHD can help you, too, with any of the following

Genres: Adhd, Nonfiction, Self Help, Psychology, Mental Health, Personal Development, Health

66 pages, Paperback

First published May 19, 2016

Reviews

[Leiki Fae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely worth the low price

Books written by experts are certainly useful, but I appreciated the very practical tips included in this little pamphlet. Even the tips I already employ, like using a timer for everything so that I can free myself from hyperfocusing on the clock, were presented in a way that made me say, "Amen!" Really encouraging to read something like this from someone who is actually self-employed as a writer and thus required to manage her time very carefully.

[Kerri Woman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

I used wow as my title because, this book straight out in the beginning described me all most to a te. I now have the tools and methods I need to help me get my stuffing together. I recommend this read for woman dealing with ADHD, and those who have to live with us

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read more like an outline than a book, and it didn't have anything new to say.

[Faith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super quick read and to the point. Practical tips without any shaming.

[Abbygayle Allred · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this is a great book for people who don’t know much about ADHD yet, because it explains a lot of the main challenges ADHDer’s experience. It also offers some good ideas for how to cope with these challenges and make them easier, but it wasn’t as insightful as I hoped it would be.

I think this book does a great job at introducing you to challenges you may be experiencing. If I had this book 3 years ago, it would’ve been very helpful, as I was figuring out how to put my challenges into words. And I appreciate how short this book is- it’s easy to read in one sitting.

However, I already know quite a bit about ADHD, having been researching it myself for almost 3 years now. So, this book didn’t really give me any new information. There were a handful of ideas that made me go “huh, I didn’t think about it that way before” or “oh, maybe I should try it that way,” but that’s about it.

Overall, I think this book is what it promised to be: simple strategies for dealing with challenges that come from ADHD, and I would recommend it to people just starting to learn about it. But, if you’ve known about ADHD for a while and done some of your own research into coping strategies, you can probably skip this one.

(Haha wow that review turned out really long for such a short book- sorry! Thanks for reading.)

[Molly Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent if you're scatterbrained

Short, sweet, and to the point. This was a great read even if you do not have ADHD because it can help you understand or empathise better with others.

The only thing I would have like to see is sources for the information presented from articles or studies.

[Cynthia D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Succinct and to the point about struggling with attention issues. I was super surprised how easily she explained the exact issues I deal with often, and I like that the strategies are actually simple to implement.

The downside is how short it was! I wish there was more, but just as I really got into this, I got to the end. Sadface.

[TONI LANSBURY · Rating 5 out of 5]

Smart advice from someone who gets it

Joan Wilder clearly understands the complexities and quirky nature of A.D.H.D. Her experiences and tips are helpful. Her stories made me feel like I wasn't alone. This book isn't just for women. I think men could benefit from this read, too.

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

a 40-page book with very clear structure and simple strategy for people with ADHD. I wouldn't call it 'Help for Women' though simply because there's not much stuff written specifically for women. you can finish reading very quickly and the book suggestion at the very end is good.

[Apurva S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple small book

Very helpful. Easy read.
Something to keep coming back to when overwhelmed in life.
Points to other deeper resources as well.

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

The were some helpful strategies, but nothing that was a brilliant takeaway for me.

[Paige Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve known for a while that I have undiagnosed ADHD, but as an adult I’ve gotten really good at developing coping strategies to manage it (no use regretting not knowing earlier) some of which are outlined in this short, accessible, and affirming read. My only criticism is that I wish it were longer—it was nice to spend time with someone who gets my almost daily struggles. Still, I came away with a better understanding and even more concrete tricks for staying focused, reducing decision paralysis, and being mindful of knee-jerk emotional/impulsive reactions that wreak havoc on getting anything done. Ten stars to the author for writing in bold key takeaways—she knows her audience well.

[Eve · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good book, good format. I am not sure that I have ADHD, but I certainly share challenges that are similar e.g. with executive functioning. Tbh, I had already, along with friends, most of whom are neurodivergent in some way, figured a lot of this out, over the years. So it's a three star because it didn't add much to the wisdom of the collection of neurodivergent people that I know and am. But I thought it was concise, which is important in for a book addressing attention/focus issues! Another book on the same topic was too long and I have already stopped reading it because I got distracted by something else! I think it will be really helpful to people who don't have the benefit of a gaggle of ND mates to figure this stuff out with.

[Alysha · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The mind is continually hatching impassioned ideas and thoughts, in response to its surroundings. The new ideas feel so important that whatever it was you were doing, before they popped into your head, drops off your radar. This feeling of urgency is linked with impulsivity, another hallmark of ADHD."

It is so reassuring to read these sorts of examples. It's a good reminder that I am not alone in this journey and that I am not broken. Wilder has provided some actionable tips for anyone with ADHD. This book is very accessible for those who don't have the patience to read a large book 🙂 The resources at the end are great too.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read for ADDers!

This book is a quick and easy read. Great for people fighting with ADD. Lots of helpful ideas and advice. I highly recommend this book for anyone looking for a book with sound advice related to living life with ADD.

[Islin Munisteri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short sweet book with strategies

I loved this book on ADHD! The launchpad has helped me to stay sane, and making sure there is a place for everything at home is great.

[Cindy Bahl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book is not just for women with ADHD. Men with ADHD would benefit as well.

However, know that anyone, those without ADHD, could benefit as well. If you struggle with any of the following issues, this book will help you.
- Difficulty prioritizing
-Feeling overwhelmed
-Getting distracted by ideas and sensations that disrupt your concentration
-Difficulty following through on what you were so excited about yesterday
-Misplacing important items
-Running late, losing track of time
-Difficulty deciding and choosing
-Impulsive ideas or actions
-Changing your mind all the time

I've recommended her book to others, including men without ADHD but struggling with some of these issues.

Her book is incredibly concise and well written. There are no wasted words. Deeply grateful her advice and insight into her own ADHD. I still refer to it and have a copy in both e-book and physical format. It's phenomenal. Don’t be fooled by it being short. The author makes every page count and writes in such a way that keeps your attention. Can I just say how incredibly grateful I am for this book?
Not only does she provide strategies, but she talks about how her own ADHD manifests. This was very enlightening as I had no idea some of my other behaviors could be tied to my ADHD as well.

The short book is a blessing. She doesn't waste space in the book with fluff and other things that usually loose the attention of an ADHD reader. The shortness of the book actually makes it feel even more manageable. I can't tell you how many books I've bought where I wouldn't even start them because I realize I wouldn't finish them. Or not until after many years. Yes, real ADHD is that bad. However, her book didn't cause my anxiety to kick in, so I not only began reading it, but finishing it! (Huge win for those of us with ADHD.)

[Barbara Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book delivers exactly what the title indicates. The information describes the symptoms of ADHD and the problems those diagnosed with if face. Wilder presents simple ways to control the chaos that ADHD brings and tells her readers to pick and choose from her menu to make a customized solution.
Wilder’s introduction explains ADHD for those who do not understand the disorder or who have not worked with those who suffer from it. She does a good job of explaining what its victims experience: difficulty prioritizing tasks, being impulsive, getting distracted and sidetracked, losing things, feeling overwhelmed, being late, inability to complete tasks, procrastinating and being late all the time. ADHD afflicts men more often than women. Wilder’s analogy that ADHD is like an orchestra playing instruments at the same time without a conductor at the helm is spot on. I like the fact that Wilder tailors her book toward the needs of women, who are often overlooked as ADHD victims.
The author’s strategies are highlighted in bold print, making it easier to pick out and distinguish her steps. Her motto is to Keep Things Simple, find a buddy to work with you, accept your limitations and let go of the ideal of perfection, and take care of both your body and mind. She urges her readers to pick and choose those strategies that work best and ignore those which have been unsuccessful. As an educator who has worked with children suffering from ADHD, I would recommend this book as an excellent self-help guide. This book is clearly written an appropriate for readers ages ten and older.

[Charlie Watkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I'm early on my exploration of ADHD in relation to me. I also really struggle with picking up and consuming a book. Sheer for the fact that I managed to read this over my lunch break, see a lot of my own behaviours and get that sense of validation I would recommend it.

It is a starter book. Easy to consume, easy to understand, but doesn't go in depth. Which for today, is exactly what I needed. It's motivated me to take greater steps towards understanding how my brain works. And I also saw a lot of the behaviours - and coping techniques - that I already do .

I'm going to ask my partner to read it so he can understand the way I think better and why it's important for us to get the shelves put up, have a cleaner and all the things I've wanted to do but haven't been able to communicate why they're so important and why I need his support (though he's fully supportive, this will give him the boost to prioritise it himself!)

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know that at 68 pages this is more a booklet than a book, so it shouldn't count toward my reading challenge, but I do want to document that I read it because I found it valuable.

I am reading more about ADHD to better understand and help those with ADHD in my life, and I'm finding so much to relate to. Anxiety shares a lot of its manifestations.

I really appreciate that this booklet is so user-friendly and applicable, with its tips in bold on every page. I already implement a lot of Wilder's suggestions from my own trial and error, and they really do help.

The only thing this booklet is lacking--and the author did not intend to include it--is the scientific background and information about ADHD and its symptoms, etc. This is a personal account, not a professional one. Wilder gives great reputable resources in the back of the book.

[susan r church · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very simple yet informative explanation of how women think when they have or think they have ADHD or just ADD.
The very first paragraphs screamed at me,”This is Me!!”
Unlike many how to manuals (I would call this more like a pamphlet) that have fill in the blanks or long explanations about what this is, the author gives concise suggestions from her own experiences and from others she’s met or spoken with.
Easy to follow for even my scattered brain. If you know you have ADD or some form of it or if you think you are leaning in that direction but are afraid to label yourself then you will probably find some help in this booklet.
I just wrote my therapist and told her I think I have this and that was a big step for me.
I’m looking forward to following this author.

[Samantha Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the brevity!

She hits the nail on the head with the length of this book. I still found a lot of the passages hard to focus on, because, hello run on sentences! You can practically smell the ADHD in between the pages. I totally empathize.

I didn't connect with a lot of her tips because she's clearly more social than I am. I am not comfortable leaning on my friends as much as the author seems to suggest. Also, many of the tips are very basic...this is not an "Advanced Tips for ADHD Management" book.

It is nice though to read someone else's point of view on dealing with ADHD. Especially since none of the advice is "just make yourself do it".

[Tita Boutosu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect book if you just been diagnosed

I have been diagnosed recently at the age of 33, and this book seemed to describe my struggles accurately! For the first time i feel understood! There are so many helpful tips which helped me organising my life better. I love that the book is very short and talks only about thd struggles and tips to overcome them (no scientific research or medical information which for me is great as i can focus only on the tips and not overload my brain with too much information). I highly reccomend this book if you have adhd or know someone with adhd.

[Carlotta · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is far from anything revolutionary. But it's short, easy to read, easy to pick up once it's there. The tips are simple, and most you've probably heard of before, with no grand suggestions on how to implement them. It's more of a "hey, have you tried this before? Go think about it if you want to, here's the next tip." It's effective for what it is. Sometimes you don't need a deep dive analysis into your symptoms, or detailed action plans, you don't always have the bandwidth to deal with that anyway. I'd consider this a useful jumping off point. It's also pleasant to be able to relate to someone with similar issues, and to be spoken to in a positive, non-judgemental way. This books feels like having talked to an upbeat, excited friend over a long coffee, and you come away feeling energized, going "Yea, actually I aren't a terrible person, maybe I could get a handle on things. Wasn't she nice to chat with?"

[Laura Custer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Much needed explanations and coping strategies!

I’m in my late 50’s and was recently diagnosed with ADHD. I didn’t really understand how much it impacts my daily life until reading this book. I’m going to buy a paperback so I can highlight the info and strategies I so desperately need. But first I’ll have my husband read it so he will understand why I do things that drive him crazy!

[Hannah Loraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recommended by therapist—now I see why.

This is a perfect little snapshot of 1.) what it’s like to live with adhd and 2.) ways to workaround some of the shortcomings. As an adult recently diagnosed, things like this book have been crucial in learning about the brain I’ve been living with my entire life.
One thing I loved is that she focuses on tips to improve your life, as well as points out the positives of having ADHD, which is important because there are strengths too.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this booklet. It's validating, encouraging, and full of strategies, tips, and ideas for working with your symptoms instead of against them. So far this is the best book I've read about ADHD since my diagnosis, certainly the most helpful. The author is relatable, and the book is easy to read and parse. I read it through and then immediately started it again to go through more slowly!

[Anusha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read

As a person who can't focus for more than a few minutes, this was good. It was as if the author sat with and spoke to me of her experiences and methods. Although I zoned out at certain points ( probably due to my inattentiveness) , I was able to pick it back up. Glad that it is a short read. These are generally what people can do but with adhd, you have to spell it out amd I'm glad that this book exists.

[Trina G. Messick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful and positive!

I loved this book as it relates an accurate yet inspiring description of ADHD challenges and rewards. She included examples of different approaches, strategies and alternatives. I will re-read it to build on successes and other suggestions for challenges. Great job!

[Brea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and to the point!

This book contains many useful tips, strategies and references to deal with day to day life as an ADHD-er. The author seamlessly puts into words for those who aren’t aware of how an ADHD brain works and offers simple solutions on how to make living with ADHD easier.