Calm Your ADHD Brain: Your toolkit to manage spiralling thoughts

by Emma Llewellyn

Genres: Nonfiction, Psychology, Adhd, Self Help

288 pages, Paperback

Published May 26, 2026

Reviews

[Sophia Scholle]

It’s a good resource book to have on hand with useful tips and strategies that you can try at your own leisure. Nothing is being sold as a fix all and I appreciated the honesty of admitting that not all strategies will work for every person.
I also liked that this book isn’t trying to change everything about anyone but working with specific thought patterns and accepting that we can’t just get rid of them. I also appreciated that the author is not making ADHD your whole identity.

[Dri Olive]

DNF at 50%. I started reading this book hoping for insight into my 18-year-old daughter, whom I suspect has ADHD. While the writing is clear and engaging, I struggled to finish it. My main issue is that the author presents behaviors—like overthinking, spiraling, and obsession with others' opinions—as exclusively ADHD traits. Haven't we all experienced these things? I found myself wondering if these are actually signs of neurodivergence, or simply the result of living in a high-exposure screen generation. Because the symptoms felt too universal, I didn't find the practical guidance I was hoping for. I’m leaning more toward believing my daughter is struggling with the emotional consequences of being a "screenager" rather than having a clinical disorder.

[Rhian Richards]

If you want to feel less alone and reassured that you're not broken, this book does exactly that.
Not only does Emma validate you, she consistently ensures it's not about striving for perfection but encourages the reader to do what we can, no matter how trivial or silly it may initially seem.

The book is a real page turner meaning you can sit and read it from start to finish or pick it up and read specific chapters whenever you need some extra support. There are so many useful strategies that are simple to implement at home or out and about, as if she's there guiding us through those tricky and/or misunderstood moments.

Not only does Emma's writing style make for a great and captivating read, she encourages you to be exactly who you are and your unapologetic self, with no expectations. Even the cover of the book is mesmerising, it'll certainly stand out on your book shelf.

Would recommend to anyone who has been diagnosed with ADHD or believes they could have it or knows a family member or friend that has been diagnosed. It's a great insight to the world of neurospicey folk and it'll either help you or help you understand someone better.


'You are not a problem to fix. You're a person with a wonderful, sometimes chaotic brain that needs thoughtful support and kindness to function at its best'

[Matthew Archer]

I gave up when it all descended sniffing smells, imagining drawing a box around yourself breathing and using a decision dice to "ease anxiety of decision making". What a load of nonsense.

I bought and read this hoping to find strategies and help with procrastination and disorganisation but unfortunately this seems to be written by someone who has no concept of how the real world works for most people. After the initial disappointment when I realised this wasn't the book for me I kept reading as the proposed solutions to a myriad of vague and unexplained complaints became more and more impractical and frankly ridiculous.

If you're struggling to breathe, dress yourself or make basic life choices then maybe this will help you and who am I to pass judgement on that but if you're looking to fine-tune an errant brain - don't bother.

[Off-Putting Reviews]

I found this book really calming to listen to. It was exactly what I needed in a time where I'm feeling a bit scattered by upcoming decisions, changes, and uncomfortable tasks. Not only does it give ways to reframe thoughts and to calm down, but the gentle reminders throughout were nice for keeping my mind relaxed while listening. It can feel a little repetitive, but I think for a book like this it works, allowing you to be calmed by the book itself even before you actually use the tips within. Overall, I really liked it. I think it's a great book for people who need a place to start learning how to work with their ADHD, or a kind voice to offer reminders of tips you've heard before but forget when you need them.

[Lauren Millsaps Adams]

More in depth review incoming tomorrow but overall a helpful book for anyone who specifically suffers from rumination/overthinking or shame and guilt from symptoms of adhd. I found the SOS chapter (5) to be most bookmarked with specific tips and appreciated the authors personalized tone that “spoke directly to the reader” as a trusted friend. An important note is to treat the book just as that- guidance from a trusted friend who has been in the trenches of adhd. The author is not a medical professional and it’s important to keep this in mind that this book should not replace expert guidance or treatment.

[Jess]

I really enjoyed this book. After spiralling for a few months, I bought this book to try and help, and boy did it. It made me feel a lot less alone with my ADHD and provided some really great resource recommendations. My only real criticism of this book was that it was sometimes repetitive, but overall very helpful and well written.

[Saskia Egeland-Jensen]

Very easy to read and understand, with great advice presented in a gentle, validating way with no shaming involved. I marked so many pages and quotes, and I will definitely keep this in a prominent place so I can return to it when I need the tools in the moment.

[Hayley]

Helpful, accessible read - the author has a friendly and warm tone and there is some really solid suggestions.

[Sarah]

Loved it ☺️