A Feminist’s Guide to ADHD: How Women Can Thrive and Find Focus in a World Built for Men

by Janina Maschke

An empowering, feminist guide to understanding and managing ADHD for women, written by a popular millennial doctor with ADHD.

ADHD is a feminist issue. Historically, its impact on women has been understudied, leading to misdiagnosis, late diagnosis or no diagnosis at all.

This book delves into the unique challenges women face when living with ADHD, and offers guidance and support.

the pivotal role of gender in understanding the complexities of ADHDthe challenges of diagnosing ADHD in womenthe difference between male/female ADHD subtypes and behaviours the role of hormones in treating ADHD symptomscommon co-existing conditions for women with ADHDpractical tools for thriving with ADHD in day-to-day lifetips on embracing neurodiversity
Readers will find a wealth of information, including personal stories and case studies, presented in a bite-sized and accessible way. Whether you're seeking information pre-diagnosis or simply looking to manage your symptoms, this book is a must-read for all women impacted by ADHD.

Genres: Nonfiction, Adhd, Self Help, Psychology, Feminism, Mental Health, Health

256 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 8, 2024

Reviews

[Heather Coffee_Kindle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Release Date: 8th October 2024

An essential read for anyone with a female body who knows or thinks they have ADHD!

It is so refreshing to read how ADHD presents for females, which is different than males in a lot of ways, that made so much sense to me and helped me understand what I was experiencing with better clarity.

It feels like there is still a long way to go with understanding how conditions and neurodivergence presents and is different for females, but this definitely helps and gives me hope we will learn more, now these differences are becoming more commonly known.

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC.

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[F · Rating 2 out of 5]

While the book provides a decent introduction to ADHD, it is very misleading when targeted for “women”. It’s an overview of ADHD in general (in a very structured way I have to say) but other than that nothing. Mentioning that it manifests differently in women and girls every few pages is not the same as a book properly covering the research and details focusing on women and girls.

[Kelly (Little.shropshire.reader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a great book about females and ADHD and how, over the years, it has been massively overlooked in our sex compared to boys. It is so informative about absolutely everything surrounding the condition through a woman's life.

Each chapter starts by explaining what it is going to be addressing, then at the end of each, it gives you key parts to take away and think about. The author does a good job of breaking everything down in an easy way, so as the reader, you fully understand what is being told to you. There are case studies throughout that help to understand the ways an ADHD person feels and goes about things.
Throughout this book, it covers how ADHD and hormones work with the condition. Periods, pregnancy, and even through to menopause are talked about.
The only part I struggled with was when it explained how an ADHD brain works, no fault of the author, I just found it a lot of scientific explanation that my own brain struggled to process. After a couple more times of reading this section, I would have a better understanding of it.
I loved all the coping techniques and self-help exercises there are in this book. There are so many to try if you find yourself struggling.

This is a perfect book for those who may think they either have Adhd or know someone who may have it. Or for those who have just gotten a diagnosis of the condition. It's a good starting book.

Thanks to NetGalley and Watkins Publishing for my advanced copy.
My opinions are my own.

[Hillary Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not what I thought it was going to be, more of a surface level how-to guide for managing ADHD generally, with nods to certain things that might affect you differently as a woman. "Feminist" is a bit misleading as it doesn't seem to be a major focus, just saying a "woman's" guide would probably be more apt.

[Edie Hoesterey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clearly she’s a psychologist not an author, but this got the job done. Helpful!

[sara mia · Rating 3 out of 5]

fand gerade den ersten teil über die neurobiologischen vorgänge total interessant, aber leider hat mich das buch etwa auf der hälfte ziemlich verloren. die fallbeispiele lesen sich gezwungen und mehr wir eine (nicht notwendige) wiederholung - vor allem bricht auch der feministische teil nach den einführungskapiteln quasi komplett weg. abgesehen davon, dass es eben um frauen geht.

guter einstieg in das thema, wertschätzend geschrieben, gute toolbox, fand auch den exkurs zu adhs und essstörungen spannend - würde das buch, wenn ich es als physische ausgabe hätte, an freund:innen weitergeben, aber ihnen einen eigenen kauf wiederum nicht empfehlen.

[Kourtnee Blow · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had a lot of information about the intersectionality of ADHD, but it had way too much fluffing. Not really many “solutions” besides to just embrace who you are and accept it.

[jenna tasovac · Rating 4 out of 5]

wish I had read this when I got diagnosed, also could someone PLEASE do research on the menstrual cycle and adhd meds for the love of god the girlies are struggling with no data

[Lea · Rating 2 out of 5]

Adhd in Woman 101. nichts neues dabei. Instagram reels von „woke“ Leuten zusammengefasst ein einem Buch. umfassender und leichter Einstieg!

New Fun Fakt: adhs ist erst seit 2002 an Frauen geforscht :/

[Tara ☆ Tarasbookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

A straightforward, approachable, easy to digest introduction to ADHD in women with practical guidance on how to manage.

______
Thank you to NetGalley, the Author and Watkins Publishing for early access to a digital ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone diagnosed later in life with ADHD, A Feminist's Guide to ADHD is the guide I wish I had years ago so that I could realize there wasn't anything wrong with me. This guide goes over how gender plays a role in symptoms of ADHD, diagnosing ADHD, how ADHD can be treated, and gives tips and for managing it. The information was informative and easy to follow for me. I read it in a span of a few days and it was easy for me to pick up and start again each time.

The part that really stuck out to me was how the different subtypes of ADHD because as someone with ADHD that presents itself differently from the authors, it was great to still see myself in this book. Since being diagnosed, I've done my own research and have felt "seen" in different places, but this guide seems to have it all- the connection to depression and anxiety, different therapies that may be helpful, masking and the downfalls it can play in relationships with others. I can definitely see myself referring this book again and again as I need it and will be suggesting it to my fellow neuro- diverse friends.

Thank you to NetGalley and Watkins Publishing for an advanced copy of the ebook in exchange for an honest review!

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing in this book was really hard to get past… moderately helpful but I wouldn’t recommend this to others. It felt like an aggregation of information rather than a helpful guide!

[nikki | ཐི༏ཋྀ​​݁ ₊ ݁ . · Rating 4 out of 5]

this provides a solid foundational education on adhd as it manifests in women, as well as why it differs from men, why it happens, how to manage it, and other related resources / effects of adhd (depression, pregnancy, medications, eating disorders, etc.).

some of the management i found to be your typical wellness 101, but still true and effective - just not anything that was new to me. i think for someone who is newer to adhd and/or is questioning if they might have it, this would be a great read to learn more.

one thing i felt it lacked in was talking about handling ableism. while i agree it's important to advocate for yourself at work, home, school, etc. there's also the very real reality that many companies and schools are ableist and, esp in the case of work, needing accomodations might be used against you or not fully delivered on. i just wouldn't want anyone to have the expectation that we're in any place yet that everyone is very understanding of disability and has the education or emotional understanding to account for it.

overall, i still found it very helpful and validating and i would def want to keep the resources on hand.

an honest arc review ♡

[Rowan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-arc of this book! My opinions are my own.

This book is a great introduction into what ADHD actually is, especially for women. It offers a scientific background on ADHD and how it works in the brain. It also sheds light on the different symptoms people can experience, and how those might show up differently in women than in men.

Besides all the information you'd like to know if you are recently diagnosed with ADHD, there are also many tools or exercises in the book to work on things like executive dysfunction, perfectionism, or organising. As someone who got her diagnosis in her thirties, this is a great book to learn more about what it means to have ADHD! I definitely recommend it!

[Krystelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

I will say that this book is a helpful resource to have if you are looking at the possibility of an ADHD diagnosis, or dealing with a system that is very heavily geared towards male diagnosis and diagnosis in childhood. I do find that this book was broken down in a bit of an odd way, with some of the symptoms and management put together a bit oddly.

I did think that it was helpful to have a resource for women, although I wouldn't strictly call it a guide so much as an introduction. It is hard, however, to put together an exhaustive resource, so I appreciate the effort of the author in putting together a solid introductory resource.

[Anka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Contrary to other books that I have read about the occurrence of ADHD in women, this is not just a book that analyzes disparities in research but genuinely gives great tools for your own personal toolkit. A criticism I have is that it often seems to give advice for people who are well-situated and as this is not always the case, this should be analysed differently. Also I would not necessarily call it a "feminist" guide as the advice is very general and I could not find that much evidence of the title within the content of the book.

[Hannah]

A very accessible and digestible introduction to ADHD and how it presents itself in women. Each chapter held my attention and I learned a lot! There are lots of takeaways and suggestions that I found really useful. Definitely a good place to start if you don't know much about this topic.

Thank you to NetGalley for this free arc in exchange for an honest review

[Victoria Villig · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Beginner-Friendly Guide to ADHD

If you’re looking for a beginner-friendly book about ADHD, this is the one. It’s straightforward, easy to follow, and doesn’t overwhelm the reader with complex information. Most importantly, it sheds light on the experiences of women, which are frequently misunderstood or overlooked in ADHD discussions.

[Ash · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Watkins Publishing and NetGalley for sending me an ARC in exchange for review.

4.25 stars for The Feminists Guide to ADHD

Firstly let me start with I am 100% the demographic for this book. After a lifetime or struggles and misdiagnosis and extreme but wrong medication… right before my 33rd birthday I was finally diagnosed with ADHD (4 months ago). This book deeply helped me understand. There are so many aspects of my life and personality and mind that I had no idea were caused by my ADHD and that makes me feel so peaceful and free.
The racing thoughts? The not being able to understand movies or tv without subtitles? The impulsivity? The obsession over things because I can’t trust my memory? Hyperfixation? Food issues? Mood swings? Anxiety? It has been a constant struggle but now I have an answer. Not only does this book in detail describe these things and how it’s ADHD causes them but also gives amazing advice. Not just advice on how to handle these things personally and internally but also how to advocate for yourself and ask for help/accommodation. I greatly appreciate that and plan to use some of these techniques in my daily life. I am so grateful I was given the chance to read this book as it most likely has changed my life.

One thing I will say as a strong ADHDer is that (while I don’t believe this will be an issue with the published edition) the copy I received was clearly not the final version. After a word or explanation or symptom it would say “see page (XX)” which I super struggled with. Because I felt like I needed to know what page it was on so I could remember when I got there but it’s a bit silly since I did read the entire book but every time I saw that I wanted to jump ahead.

I highlighted more in this book than I ever have before and plan to have my significant other listen as I read them so they can have a better understanding of my behavior or thought processes.


I also will most definitely be buying the finished version of this book in October for every woman in my life who has ADHD as I feel all could greatly benefit.

Thank you again so much for approving me for this advanced copy. It came to me at a time in my life when I greatly needed it.

[Miriam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley and Watkins for an advanced copy of this book.

Having recently been diagnosed on my 30s, my world was turned upside down. I always knew there was something about me that did not add up, that no matter what I did, I seemed unable to achieve like my peers and keep on going at the same pace. I actually was not at the same pace, and ADHD was to blame for many of my shortcomings.

This guide is fantastic for all the women like me who were unheard, unrecognised, and misdiagnosed, cought up in the "depression" and "anxiety" loop, unable to move because that was never their issue. This is a compact yet comprehensive collection of valuable information for anyone who has been recently diagnosed or is stareting the long process into it.

I will definitely buy the physical copy, and recommend it to others.

[Annika · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't live up to the title for me unfortunately. Some decent information, glad I read it, but I was expecting more feminist analysis. While I appreciate that the book focused on women, the feminism within was a bit surface-level, and I was surprised to find that in the long chapter about ADHD and hormones, there was no mention of birth control and how the different forms can affect hormones. I fear that the title was more of a marketing decision than an accurate descriptor of most of the content.

With that said, some of the wording used and examples given really resonated with me and gave me new words to describe my own feelings and experiences. I enjoyed getting a bit deeper into the brain science part of things, and I have a lot of notes on things I want to learn more about. This is a fine book on ADHD, especially if you're a late diagnosed woman and wanting to learn more, but the title is a slight exaggeration.

[Lizzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

First and foremost, this is a guide to ADHD by someone who has ADHD. While this shouldn't be a novel concept, it has made ALL of the difference when it comes to the delivery of the information.

While I have never been diagnosed with ADHD (daydreamers unite) this guide has helped me to understand just how much I might be masking- even from myself. However 📣 this is not a diagnostic tool 📣. And frankly, it doesn't have to be. This book has allowed me a unique insight into the condition of ADHD and allowed me to arm myself with information should I decide to approach a GP.

❤️ Things I loved about this book:
📚 End of chapter recaps - they make digesting the information easier and give you the bitesize key takeaways.
📚 This book isn't just an information dump - you have exercises, examples and more to keep your brain trained on the task at hand.
📚 Both the author and narrator lack judgement in their tone. The affirmations and kindness seeps through, which is necessary for a book like this.
📚 You're not just left with information - this book helps you to create a toolbox of exercises, including: launchpads, breathing exercises and more.
📚 Last but not least, you get an insight into the way the menstrual cycle effects your ADHD. It's so refreshing for the change in hormones to be addressed!

Overall, I plan on getting the physical copy of this book so I can annotate and keep a written copy of the tasks etc to hand. I'm sure this won't be the first time I read this book!

🎁 Thank you to Netgalley for the gifted copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review. This has in no way impacted the information of my review.

[Werechasingourtales · Rating 4 out of 5]

NOTE: I am a woman in her early thirties seeking am ADHD diagnosis.

An incredibly powerful book that aims to allow women to navigate the challenges of ADHD - from seeking an initial diagnosis to daily living.

I really appreciated how accessible the language is in this book. Usually, books with a medical basis are written in such a way that it isn't accessible for all. Had that been done on this topic, many with ADHD wouldn't make it through the book at all. In contrast, Dr Janina Maschke uses fantastic examples from her own life to clearly illustrate the inner-workings of the ADHD brain at all stages of life - with tools to combat any difficulties women may face! I found myself making notes of tools that I could apply to my life to make both my work and home life easier...

One of my first thoughts upon finishing this book was that it should be required reading for teaching staff and parents of children with ADHD. It is absolutely a must-read for women with ADHD (or suspected ADHD) as Dr Maschke provides strategies to overcome some of the daily barriers we face.

[Seppe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Introductory and tool-oriented view on ADHD, from a feminist orientation. Often gender-differentiated ADHD diagnosis is misunderstood and superficially adressed in clinical research. This book opens up some issues with a clear sense of empowerment.

[Maddy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and the author for the free book in exchange for a review!

I love books about women and ADHD and I was super excited for this book but it was not my favorite book about women and ADHD (it was not the worst one that I have ever read either).


Things I loved:
1. The Chapter about periods and hormones and how they impact ADHD.
2. How she talked about comorbid conditions with ADHD.


Things I didn't:

Many of the author's ideas were going to a professional or she gave some basic ideas most people with ADHD know already.

[Cherylin · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 - I wanted to finish it, but I didn't think this offered anything new to me, so I wouldn't recommend it. As other reviews noted, it didn't provide feminist take on restructure for equity etc, that I had hoped for from the title.
That said, it was useful to have all the resources and ideas (most of which I already practice) gathered in one place, with scientific backup and real stories.

[Sara M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, Watkins Publishing, and the author for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. As someone who perfectly fits the target audience, I devoured this in just one day and have never taken so many notes while reading—so thank you!

My psychotherapist first suggested I might be neurodivergent with ADHD after only a few sessions, at age 26—the same age as the author when she was diagnosed. That really struck a chord. My initial reaction wasn’t great; I was angry and wanted to quit therapy. I thought, “No, that can’t be right,” as if ADHD were an insult. The author addresses this stigma well, particularly how ADHD often coexists with other conditions in women. Even now, almost two years later, I’m still working through what it means for me.

The hardest part for me has been moving past "acceptance." Though I’ve had some tools available, I’ve either avoided or ignored them. This book found me at the perfect time, offering both comfort and practical hacks. Feeling overwhelmed and unsure where to start, I found the strategies exactly what I needed. The content resonated deeply and made me feel truly seen.

The book is engagingly structured, with each chapter ending in a summary of key takeaways. I listened to the audiobook at 1.75x speed while working, but had to stop and take notes multiple times. The tips and hacks were a huge takeaway for me, and I can’t wait to get a physical copy to deepen the experience.

The final line—"Congratulations again on how far you've come. Now it's time to embrace all of who you are"—was incredibly moving and is now a message I’ll carry with me.

[June · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm incredibly excited to recommend this book to every fellow late-diagnosed ADHD woman.
(I got my diagnosis of ADHD and CPTSD in April at the age of almost 23! It has been a rollercoaster journey for me since then and I’m still navigating my way through it with the help of Therapy!)

It truly is a groundbreaking book that shares some great ideas and strategies for women with ADHD; to help navigate the many tricky challenges they face living in a world ill-equipped to understand them.

It is also wonderful and empowering for women who are often misunderstood and ignored as a result of biases from ADHD diagnosis, by their validation.
In this book, Dr. Maschke delves into the many ways ADHD presents differently in women and covers themes of masking, anxiety, and the co-occurrence of ADHD with other mental health conditions.

The writing style is engaging and relatable, explaining even the most complex concepts in accessible terms. Rich in personal stories and real-life examples, this book is relatable. I especially liked the practical suggestions, exercises that provide strategies for managing ADHD symptoms and increasing our fitness.

If you are a woman with ADHD or someone who knows a girl/woman with ADHD, this book is an essential read. The book offers a full guide and toolkit for understanding the issue, but also much needed validation to women who often feel unseen and unheard.

Thank you to Dr. Janina Maschke and Watkins Publishing for an advanced copy of the ebook in exchange for an honest review!

[V W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life changing!!! I feel so seen after reading this book and the only thing is… I wish I found it sooner. My whole young adult life, misc people have suggested I have adhd. I didn’t understand it much or connect the dots until somewhat recently. Growing up, I was often a “disturbance” in class, too talkative, daydreaming, doodling, and truly struggling to keep up. A good student, but not focused. I struggle with anxiety and tummy issues (no surprise) and pretty wild emotional rides. This book is a breath of fresh air! I really have been working on myself and my healing— it’s actually awesome that a lot of the recommendations in the book are things I started implementing in my life. I want to help treat my adhd as naturally as possible. I think my favorite part of this whole book was the hormones chapter. I blame everything on my hormones lol! But it was very interesting to read more about the hormones and ways our bodies work. I try to track my cycles and help manage my work flow around my monthly flow lol. However, I learned so so much new knowledge from this book. The whole section about pregnancy was absolutely fascinating. This book really gave me a new perspective on life and so much more hope for the future. I started therapy recently and I’m so excited to implement a lot of what I learned from this book. Breathing and breath work come in super handy as well and the bliss is that we can practice from anywhere. I plan to keep this book as a guide and revisit chapters and tools when needed.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

In true ADHD fashion I skip read this entire book (I call it speed read but who cares). The only reason I decided to read this is because I thought it would carry a lot more historical background about ADHD in women, which they did but perhaps not as much as I hoped it would. It talks about the study on the female behaviour with ADHD and how women are more likely to hide it/ mask it because of the world's innate need for them to be perfect, because across all cultures and traditions they are burdened with the idea of self-sufficiency. Anyways we've all held them up to a standard where being anything less than perfect is a sin. The book delves in to the ways of coping with ADHD ad how it might look in your day to day if you suspect you're struggling with it and how learning about it eases the thought of 'not being good enough.' No, you're just built different, quite literally, your brain chemistry is just different from the people around you.
Some of the better things I found was about a guy named Stephen Hinshaw (who I'm probably going to research on later). There were a lot of things I didn't know could be caused by ADHD, that perhaps maybe I'm not at fault for somethings in my life, my brain is just built to cope in a different way.
Although at one point this book did seem like a self promotion of the author's company.