The ADHD Field Guide for Adults

by Cate Osborn, Erik Gude, Rennie Dyball

From the social media sensations and mental health advocates Cate Osborn and Erik Gude comes a modern and refreshingly honest guide to managing ADHD for adults, "that gives solid information and practical tips in a format that you can actually consume” (KC Davis, LPC, New York Times bestselling author).

WELCOME TO THE CLUB—ADHD is one of the most common psychiatric disorders in adults, yet “there are no U.S. guidelines for diagnosing and treating patients beyond childhood” (New York Times). With roughly eight million adults living with ADHD and more people seeking and receiving diagnoses each year, there’s a huge gap between lived experiences and straightforward information.

Enter Cate Osborn and Erik Gude, ADHD advocates and educators and hosts of the wildly popular podcast Catie and Eric’s Infinite An ADHD Adventure. They have witnessed this info gap firsthand in their own lives and in the flood of questions they regularly field from their millions of social media followers. Irreverent, indispensable, candid, and reassuring, Cate and Erik don’t paper over the realities of neurodivergence. They give it to you straight.

Featuring the most up-to-date foundational information, THE ADHD FIELD GUIDE FOR ADULTS also explores issues that are rarely discussed, such as navigating sex and intimacy, and the healthcare system. Ingeniously structured and designed to be accessible for neurodivergent readers, THE ADHD FIELD GUIDE FOR ADULTS features a wealth of knowledge and hard-won wisdom
Identifying comorbidities (e.g. autism; anxiety; depression; dyslexia; and others) Coping with stress, boredom, and other experiences Asking for help Creating organizational systems that work for you and how to triage if you diverge from them Improving time management Recognizing the effects of hormones on ADHD Learning to listen to your body when interoception makes it tricky Approaching sex and sensory issues, desire and intimacy Noticing Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria and other cognitive distortions in relationships And much more…
From taking responsibility to testing and evaluations, to tips for productivity and organization, to thoughtful discussions on diagnosis and identity, THE ADHD FIELD GUIDE FOR ADULTS is the perfect book not only for adults who have ADHD, but for anyone who wants to understand them.

Genres: Nonfiction, Adhd, Self Help, Psychology

400 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication March 3, 2026

Reviews

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

thank you Simon & Schuster Canada for the eARC! I was initially hesitant to read this one as it is written by ADHD content creators, but turns out perhaps they, plus a wealth of resources, are the ones to talk about ADHD in a way that is relatable and easily consumed? I liked how plain language this was, at times I felt like I was being spoken to like I was a child, but as it went on I realized I kinda needed to be spoken to that way. The first few chapters for me were things I was already familiar with, but some of these chapters were so helpful for me. I texted my best friend halfway through to say the second I finished this I intended on cleaning my whole house because I was SO inspired by the content and how relatable it was, plus how understood I felt by the writers. It has also inspired me to schedule regular relationship maintenance + ADHD hacking convos with my partner. The chapter about sex in particular made me feel very seen as I do struggle with remaining in the zone, and I always thought it was a me problem. I think this book is incredibly comprehensive, easy to read and understand, and is beneficial to anyone and everyone, whether you have ADHD or are the loved one of someone with ADHD. At first I thought much of this was not applicable to me because I've figured out a handful of hacks for my ADHD, but as the book went on I realized that it was informative in many more ways than I expected. I really feel inspired to tackle my ADHD in ways that are manageable, bearable, and realistic. If you are severely struggling with your ADHD, this is absolutely the book for you, but also the book for you if you are, in general, neurodivergent.

[Charlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Join me, if you will, on a journey into an ideal late-in-life ADHD diagnosis (I was in my 20s and then mid-30s when I got the big AuDHD, medically informed, hot take on my brain). You're given all the tools you need, follow up appointments AND this book on the way out the door. Seriously, it has that many amazing, and genuinely helpful tools in it. It also speaks to adults like adults, in simple terms about things that neurotypical people just do not get. Rather than jumping through hoops to explain central ADHD concepts that make tasks so difficult, they say it once for the neurotypicals in the back, and then get to addressing how to help readers live their best lives. Right down to the layout of the book, with more bullet points, bolded words, standout concepts, and visuals that made it very easy to read, you can tell this is a book about ADHD, by ADHDers, which is its key strength.

The best part of the book are the systems chapters, wherein the authors talk about ADHD in the terms those of us with it actually understand (and without judgement). ADHD does not make us exempt from the demands of life. We just have herculean challenges to accomplish amazing things, and often work from a place of constructive imbalance. Erik and Cate speak to this, providing tips that have helped them but also drawing on community feedback from others with ADHD. As a trans man the sections that included trans and non-binary people was a breath of fresh air (as was the shoutout to Mercury Stardust's DIY and home repair book). There is not a page in this book that lacks something useful and immediately applicable to ADHD people.

Not everyone is going to understand the way that ADHD folks need everything just-so, which is where the authors also give the newly diagnosed a way to talk about what they need without having to speak in the terms that neurotypicals regularly require: disorder, disability, lacking, failure, etc. The systems chapters in particular, coalesce beautifully under the banner of "because that's how I organize". I saw the potential for those with ADHD to be able to justify what they need on the basis of something other than constantly apologizing for not living up to someone else's standard. Which is what I found to be another strength of the book: giving readers confidence to ask for what they need because that they need it is enough. Which is one of the core reasons why I wish this was part of the welcome package to late in life ADHD. It doesn't start on terms of disability but honoring your humanity.

Thank you to the publisher for an advance e-copy of this fantastic book through NetGalley. I will definitely be recommending this for purchase at the library, penning a blog post, and generally speaking not shutting up about how great a book this is. Very appreciative!

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am the target audience for this book. Newly diagnosed with ADHD last year when I was thirty-six years old, I was one of those over-achiever, gifted children that got great grades and didn't have problems making friends. Perhaps I was a little bit awkward, but what coming-of-age girl isn't? I managed to get by through most of adulthood until suddenly I couldn't and I found myself with an ADHD diagnosis. When I was younger, ADHD was a childhood disorder that was only diagnosed in rambunctious little boys that they were expected to outgrow by manhood. Imagine my shock when I started researching ADHD in women and could check nearly symptom box. The ADHD Field Guide for adults takes so many components of this illness and compiles them all in one handy place, in a way that is easier to read and digest for those of us who are neurodivergent. I started crying reading this book because I could relate so hard to what was being said. This book is filled with facts, history, life hacks, and sound bites from others who have ADHD. I appreciated the formatting of this book. Information is given in shorter bites, interspersed with information in bold to catch our attention and cute drawings. The amount of knowledge and empathy shown in these pages makes it clear that the authors are well-versed in life with ADHD and their camaraderie with that community makes this book feel like a good friend is giving you life advice. I really recommend that anyone who is diagnosed with ADHD, especially those who are diagnosed later in life and didn't realize the root of their struggles until then. I love this book.

Thank you to NetGalley, Gallery Books, and Cate Osborn, Erik Gude and Rennie Dyball for the eARC of this novel to review.

[szreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Something for everything in this.

If you think you know a lot about ADHD I think you’ll still enjoy this book since it’s bite sized and has everything all in one place.

I really like how the contents are broken down. I often can’t finish books like atomic habits but this was so accessible.

The history of ADHD, hormones, and gendered and racial differences was fascinating since I feel like it’s not commonly written about in ADHD resources.

It really is a wealth of knowledge with amazing resources and sources cited.

The cute images also kept me entertained!

My fav parts of how it was written:

- definition breaks
- great index and notes
- Bold questions with answers
- Summary at end of each chapter
- Ways you can change your own habits

The book has a great section on getting help, how ADHD affects sex, relationships, and money too all with helpful resources.

Thank you to Simon and Schuster for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Readingwithmammabear · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a newly diagnosed millennial adult woman (I'm part of the "lost" generation of women with ADHD), I found this book very informative, and written clearly and without confusing medical jargon. Not only did I feel validated and seen, this book gave tips, advice, and background information that was feasible and digestable. The reading experience was easy - as I tended to pick up and put down throughout my read, but was easily able to jump back in to the book.

I enjoyed the formatting, however I read this as an e-book, and suspect that the physical Hardcover version that will be released would be even better, and true to it's word of being formatted for the ADHD brain. I have already found myself referencing highlighted passages from this book, and look forward to purchasing a hard copy once it is released.

Many thanks to Simon & Schuster for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Nessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Simon & Schuster Canada for the eARC! This was such a useful and educational book about ADHD. It covers so many topics and lists many tips and tricks to help you in daily life. There are even sections accounting for trans, non-binary, and BIPOC experiences with ADHD, as well as sections about how to tell people you have ADHD and how neurotypical people can support the neurodivergent people in their life. I loved the format of this book as it writes important text and main ideas in bold font, and includes clear sections for things like interviews and educational blurbs. This is such a great way to format the book so all the information isn’t just in one long page of text. I loved how each section had headlines, and common questions were clearly identified so I could easily skip parts that were not relevant to me and my experience. I highly recommend checking this book out if you or any people in your life have or suspect that you or they have ADHD.

[Nicole P · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5

This was a super helpful guide to navigating ADHD in adulthood! I loved the format and how the authors broke down complex topics to make them easily digestible, especially for someone who does get distracted super easily. They made important definitions and strategies clear while tackling a wide range of topics that I have struggled with as an ADHD girl. The organization of this book was extremely well done, the sections are broken down clearly and each area was well researched and explained to offer a range of strategies and ideas for working with ADHD. On top of this, the writing was funny, personable, and engaging in a way that made this book an easy read. I definitely took some strategies from this read that I'm going to be applying in my everyday life going forward!

Thank you to Simon and Schuster Canada for the eARC!

[Chelsea Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

The ADHD Field Guide for Adults is an absolute game-changer. As a recently diagnosed adult, I finally feel seen and understood. Authors Cate Osborn and Erik Gude deliver a perfect blend of compassion, humor, and practical, actionable advice that cuts through the noise.

The book is brilliant because it's specifically designed for the ADHD brain—structured in easy-to-digest, bite-sized sections. It covers crucial, often-ignored topics like navigating healthcare and relationships, offering genuine solutions instead of generic checklists.

This is an indispensable guide that validates your struggles and empowers you to build systems that work for you. If you have ADHD or love someone who does, you need this book. Highly recommended!

[Mia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another reviewer mentioned it's more of a personal antidote than a field guide. I would agree. Lots of mini tangents on one thing or another.

I did see myself a lot in Cate when she tells her story of growing up and also of her late diagnosis and the reasons for the late diagnosis.

I found the social media post writing style of the book distracting.

Like a lot of self help books out there, the book starts to drag on toward the end. I think they ran out of stuff to talk about and threw a couple of bonus chapters in there just for kicks and giggles.

I'd say the final quarter of the book I didn't relate to or find valuable, but maybe it's because those chapters covered ADHD struggles to which I just don't relate.

[Alyce · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up hoping for insight into ADHD, not emotional validation. As an adult diagnosed with ADHD, I expected to be the target audience, but this didn’t work for me.

Despite the title, this isn’t a field guide or reference-style book. It reads more like social media and podcast content expanded into long-form text. The book catalogs ADHD-related issues but rarely offers concrete guidance for working through them. Personal anecdotes dominate, and those stories are often treated as instruction rather than perspective. If a story doesn’t apply to you, it quickly becomes disengaging, which is especially frustrating for an ADHD reader.

The content stays at a very basic, non-scientific level. While there are footnotes at the end, many factual or scientific-sounding claims throughout the book aren’t cited, making it hard to tell what’s evidence-based and what’s opinion. Ironically, the book also cautions readers about misinformation.

The tone and framing suggest this is aimed at a younger audience, particularly readers new to ADHD. If you’re looking for validation, relatable stories, and an introductory overview, this may be helpful. If you’re looking for systems, frameworks, or deeper insight into managing ADHD, this book is unlikely to add much.

Note: this book is not appropriate for children as Cate goes into using masturbation as ADHD management.