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The ADHD Field Guide for Adults
From social media sensations Cate Osborn and Erik Gude, with Rennie Dyball, comes a fresh and practical guide to managing ADHD for adults.
Just shy of her thirtieth birthday, Cate Osborne, a stage actress with two master’s degrees, started to have difficulty remembering her lines. Suddenly, things that had seemed routine before were falling through the cracks. An evaluation finally led to a ADHD.
Erik Gude, who was diagnosed in his teens, had a slightly different path. While an ADHD diagnosis might explain the cause of some of his academic challenges, it would take years before he understood the other ways it affected other aspects of his life. When they connected as adults, it didn’t take long before they realized other people might feel just as lost as they had.
With roughly eight million adults living with ADHD and more people seeking and receiving diagnoses each year, The ADHD Field Guide for Adults is a witty, thoughtful, and practical guide to living with ADHD in adulthood, from two people who know what it’s like. Featuring the most important foundational information about ADHD, it also explores issues that are rarely discussed, such as navigating sex and intimacy, the healthcare system, and home care. And unlike existing titles on the topic, it is intentionally structured to incorporate ADHD accessibility features by offering bite-sized pieces of knowledge in a format that caters to the unique needs of ADHD readers.
From testing, evaluations, and diagnoses, to hacks for work and productivity, organization, and time management, The ADHD Field Guide for Adults is the perfect book for those who want to understand why and how their brain works the way it does from people who have been there.
Just shy of her thirtieth birthday, Cate Osborne, a stage actress with two master’s degrees, started to have difficulty remembering her lines. Suddenly, things that had seemed routine before were falling through the cracks. An evaluation finally led to a ADHD.
Erik Gude, who was diagnosed in his teens, had a slightly different path. While an ADHD diagnosis might explain the cause of some of his academic challenges, it would take years before he understood the other ways it affected other aspects of his life. When they connected as adults, it didn’t take long before they realized other people might feel just as lost as they had.
With roughly eight million adults living with ADHD and more people seeking and receiving diagnoses each year, The ADHD Field Guide for Adults is a witty, thoughtful, and practical guide to living with ADHD in adulthood, from two people who know what it’s like. Featuring the most important foundational information about ADHD, it also explores issues that are rarely discussed, such as navigating sex and intimacy, the healthcare system, and home care. And unlike existing titles on the topic, it is intentionally structured to incorporate ADHD accessibility features by offering bite-sized pieces of knowledge in a format that caters to the unique needs of ADHD readers.
From testing, evaluations, and diagnoses, to hacks for work and productivity, organization, and time management, The ADHD Field Guide for Adults is the perfect book for those who want to understand why and how their brain works the way it does from people who have been there.
402 pages, Paperback
First published March 3, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.
April 28, 2026
I liked this a lot. It reminded me of How to Keep House While Drowning so I wasn’t too surprised when it was mentioned in one of the chapters.
The first part that focuses on “what” ADHD is. One of those sections that’s helpful if you haven’t read any other book or articles in the last 5 years about ADHD. There’s very little science in this and based heavily on the authors’ personal experiences. It’s accessible and it does have more of a realistic tone, they acknowledge that laziness does actually exist and there’s a lot of false promises for a fix all in the supplement and coaching scene.
The actual field guide part was pretty good though. They provided practical changes you can make to ease some common mishaps that I’ll actually use and reaffirmed some systems I’ve had in place for a long time. The explanations for why things work and the thought process behind them also makes it easier to apply to other things and develop new systems. I’d absolutely recommend this to someone who struggles with figuring out where to begin to building their own supports.
I also really appreciated the chapter about sex and intimacy and specifically the practical advice for things that you don’t often get in sex ed books. Struggling with some kinds of touch that others consider pretty basic like kissing is relatable and how to build intimacy around your boundaries were extremely helpful.
The first part that focuses on “what” ADHD is. One of those sections that’s helpful if you haven’t read any other book or articles in the last 5 years about ADHD. There’s very little science in this and based heavily on the authors’ personal experiences. It’s accessible and it does have more of a realistic tone, they acknowledge that laziness does actually exist and there’s a lot of false promises for a fix all in the supplement and coaching scene.
The actual field guide part was pretty good though. They provided practical changes you can make to ease some common mishaps that I’ll actually use and reaffirmed some systems I’ve had in place for a long time. The explanations for why things work and the thought process behind them also makes it easier to apply to other things and develop new systems. I’d absolutely recommend this to someone who struggles with figuring out where to begin to building their own supports.
I also really appreciated the chapter about sex and intimacy and specifically the practical advice for things that you don’t often get in sex ed books. Struggling with some kinds of touch that others consider pretty basic like kissing is relatable and how to build intimacy around your boundaries were extremely helpful.
March 7, 2026
This book is EXCELLENT and should be made available at every library. As an adult who was recently diagnosed with ADHD, reading this made me feel seen, hopeful, and more sympathetic to past me who didn’t understand why certain things were so f-ing hard. Encourage any late diagnosed people you have in your life to give it a read. And a big kudos to the authors who have organized and presented their information in a way that is conducive for their intended audience.
April 17, 2026
I liked this one a lot! I thought the "ADHD-friendly formatting" thing was going to be hokey (and like, it kind of is) but joke's on me because it actually was pretty effective for reading through this. I liked that this book was largely practical tips and ideas for how to function as an ADHD adult; it would be very complementary to some of the more traditional "science behind ADHD" books you tend to get in this genre for folks educating themselves after a diagnosis. The Q&A format also works really well for all the advice-giving.
One gripe is that I wish this book had included a section on parenting when you have ADHD. I understand why the authors, who themselves do not seem to have children, didn't go there beyond some passing mentions but it is still a very big and complex part of adult life for some of us and it would be nice to get some specific advice and ideas the way they did for pretty much every other realm of adult life in this book.
One gripe is that I wish this book had included a section on parenting when you have ADHD. I understand why the authors, who themselves do not seem to have children, didn't go there beyond some passing mentions but it is still a very big and complex part of adult life for some of us and it would be nice to get some specific advice and ideas the way they did for pretty much every other realm of adult life in this book.
April 20, 2026
as someone with some overlap into adhd, I loved the way they formatted and organized the book to make skimming through and reading what mattered to you easy. a very helpful and practical book with a compassionate heart.
April 14, 2026
5/5 because it helped me, not because I loved the book - I am generally not a fan of “self help” books but this one came along through my book club at the exact right time. Overall, because of my dislike of this genre of book I found it meh. But I have been struggling with executive dysfunction lately, so much that I was wondering if I have ADHD. Reading through this book, I saw myself on almost every page and it gave me the push to finally get diagnosed. The diagnosis is as fresh as me finishing the book but now I can move forward and figure out how to navigate these challenges.
April 5, 2026
I think ‘life changing’ may oftentimes be a strong descriptor but this book is definitely up there, and I really recommend it for anyone who may be new to researching their own ADHD, wanting to learn more about it, or how to hack their life to make it easier to manage.
Covering everything from putting away shoes, to diet, sex, pets and jobs, this was a real eye opener to how chronic this condition is (in science terms) whilst offering enough reassurance and suggestions for practical help that it didn’t feel depressing.
Covering everything from putting away shoes, to diet, sex, pets and jobs, this was a real eye opener to how chronic this condition is (in science terms) whilst offering enough reassurance and suggestions for practical help that it didn’t feel depressing.
March 4, 2026
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Happy Release Day to Cate Osborn and Erik Gude’s book ‘The ADHD Field Guide for Adults!’ 🥳
When I tell you that this book found me at the right time I’m not exaggerating. This is one of the most ADHD friendly reads I have ever come across and heavily recommend anyone with ADHD or has friends with ADHD to pick up this field guide.
The beauty of this book is how it’s formatted. Everything is bite size and appeals to the brain’s dopamine factory. The sections are small with brief stories/information and you can start/stop on any page. Cate and Erik use a podcast style back-and-forth dialogue when expanding on certain topics they directly experience; making it conversational and honestly so fun to read at times. Additionally, I loved the check-in’s built into the text when topics were a little heavy. This alone creates such a safe narrative and you truly feel like you are talking to a friend. The activities, advice, end of chapter questions, and templates makes this field guide personable.
As someone who was recently diagnosed with ADHD, this text was validating and helpful. There are things I’ve struggled with and didn’t connect it to ADHD until reading this. You can bet I’ve been slowly incorporating some of their advice into my daily life.
Thank you @simonschusterca for sending me an e-arc in return for an honest opinion. I was really hoping to get my hands on this book early and you made that happen. Thank you @catieosaurus for sharing your experience with asexuality in this text; it means more than you know.
Happy Release Day to Cate Osborn and Erik Gude’s book ‘The ADHD Field Guide for Adults!’ 🥳
When I tell you that this book found me at the right time I’m not exaggerating. This is one of the most ADHD friendly reads I have ever come across and heavily recommend anyone with ADHD or has friends with ADHD to pick up this field guide.
The beauty of this book is how it’s formatted. Everything is bite size and appeals to the brain’s dopamine factory. The sections are small with brief stories/information and you can start/stop on any page. Cate and Erik use a podcast style back-and-forth dialogue when expanding on certain topics they directly experience; making it conversational and honestly so fun to read at times. Additionally, I loved the check-in’s built into the text when topics were a little heavy. This alone creates such a safe narrative and you truly feel like you are talking to a friend. The activities, advice, end of chapter questions, and templates makes this field guide personable.
As someone who was recently diagnosed with ADHD, this text was validating and helpful. There are things I’ve struggled with and didn’t connect it to ADHD until reading this. You can bet I’ve been slowly incorporating some of their advice into my daily life.
Thank you @simonschusterca for sending me an e-arc in return for an honest opinion. I was really hoping to get my hands on this book early and you made that happen. Thank you @catieosaurus for sharing your experience with asexuality in this text; it means more than you know.
March 17, 2026
Easy to read and comprehensive relevant information for those who have or think they may have ADHD.
Written almost in a conversation format it’s easy to follow along and engage with the subject. No factor of life was untouched and any concerns felt valid.
Where it lost me was there was little science actually explained. It read as more of an opinion than researched information. This was compounded by excessive community input pieces that disrupted the otherwise good flow. Once I skipped those pieces it read a lot better
Overall a good read that hit a lot of relevant points. Would recommend it for anyone questioning their neurodivergence, newly diagnosed or those trying to support the neurodivergent.
Thank you to Harper Celebrate and NetGalley for letting me read this early copy and share my honest thoughts
Written almost in a conversation format it’s easy to follow along and engage with the subject. No factor of life was untouched and any concerns felt valid.
Where it lost me was there was little science actually explained. It read as more of an opinion than researched information. This was compounded by excessive community input pieces that disrupted the otherwise good flow. Once I skipped those pieces it read a lot better
Overall a good read that hit a lot of relevant points. Would recommend it for anyone questioning their neurodivergence, newly diagnosed or those trying to support the neurodivergent.
Thank you to Harper Celebrate and NetGalley for letting me read this early copy and share my honest thoughts
April 8, 2026
EXCELLENT. I went the audiobook route but will be buying a hardcopy for rereading and to bookmark the things I need to re-teach myself hourly, daily, weekly....
I'd also recommend it for people who have friends, family, partners, coworkers, love interests, or anyone else in their orbit with ADHD to better understand the million ways it can manifest, good and difficult, as well as people with ADHD who have read a thousand books on the topic but have never found one that makes a point of addressing the nexus of ADHD and being LGBTQ+ or with non-cis gender identities.
I don't want to be critical of this book because it was one of the best I've read but that said, my one big disappointment is that it simply ignores some of the major difficulties of adults with ADHD who don't have a "support system." There are very frequent, and for the right people, valuable, references to relying on one's support system, which implies a group of people actually working together or at the very least someone to meet each need, and an entire chapter (I think it was a chapter - again, audiobook) on Asking For Help, with example after example of when and how to ask for help from different people but primarily "your person."
MISS ME WITH "YOUR PERSON*."
Asking for help from paid helpers such as assistants, therapists, cleaners: great, if you're solo and have the financial resources. Getting a mythical person who can help with the dishes, remind you to go to bed, have a rent-paying party? Erm. Remember the chapter on comorbidities and anxiety and difficulty with relationships? Sometimes the upshot is not having "a person" much less an entire system of support--especially when you can't disclose at work, don't have chatty sitcom neighbors, and have struck out with ADHD-informed therapists. Would love to see a sequel address this!
*"My person" is, on a different topic, a pretty heavy label to apply to anyone. Spouse, partner, best friend, twin, whoever might be closest to you emotionally or whom you've chosen, temporarily or permanently, to share your daily life with? Cool. But that one single solitary flawed and frail person has his/her/their own needs, interests, shortcomings, possible disabilities, friends and family, coworkers, weird sleep habits, and all the other things that make each of us incapable of being Everything to someone. The only time "My Person" is gonna be there for your every need is on a desert island.
I'd also recommend it for people who have friends, family, partners, coworkers, love interests, or anyone else in their orbit with ADHD to better understand the million ways it can manifest, good and difficult, as well as people with ADHD who have read a thousand books on the topic but have never found one that makes a point of addressing the nexus of ADHD and being LGBTQ+ or with non-cis gender identities.
I don't want to be critical of this book because it was one of the best I've read but that said, my one big disappointment is that it simply ignores some of the major difficulties of adults with ADHD who don't have a "support system." There are very frequent, and for the right people, valuable, references to relying on one's support system, which implies a group of people actually working together or at the very least someone to meet each need, and an entire chapter (I think it was a chapter - again, audiobook) on Asking For Help, with example after example of when and how to ask for help from different people but primarily "your person."
MISS ME WITH "YOUR PERSON*."
Asking for help from paid helpers such as assistants, therapists, cleaners: great, if you're solo and have the financial resources. Getting a mythical person who can help with the dishes, remind you to go to bed, have a rent-paying party? Erm. Remember the chapter on comorbidities and anxiety and difficulty with relationships? Sometimes the upshot is not having "a person" much less an entire system of support--especially when you can't disclose at work, don't have chatty sitcom neighbors, and have struck out with ADHD-informed therapists. Would love to see a sequel address this!
*"My person" is, on a different topic, a pretty heavy label to apply to anyone. Spouse, partner, best friend, twin, whoever might be closest to you emotionally or whom you've chosen, temporarily or permanently, to share your daily life with? Cool. But that one single solitary flawed and frail person has his/her/their own needs, interests, shortcomings, possible disabilities, friends and family, coworkers, weird sleep habits, and all the other things that make each of us incapable of being Everything to someone. The only time "My Person" is gonna be there for your every need is on a desert island.
April 2, 2026
This is spot on, (self diagnosed). The audio book exudes personality. I highly recommend this book if you suspect that you are ADHD or know someone who has it whom you care about.
Read
April 12, 2026Spot on. This is very informative, and has tons of great information for both a person with ADHD and as a parent to a person with ADHD.
April 28, 2026
I think this could be a vital resource for people who are neurodivergent and the people who love them. Also the audiobook is so fun to listen to.
April 25, 2026
I have read a number of ADHD that are geared toward adults. This one had a little bit more on tips and had definitions, but I still think the best one is ADHD is Awesome by Penn and Kim Holderness. There were some points that I appreciated (i.e., being responsible for yourself even with ADHD), but others I did not.
The one thing that confused me and I wished there was a more of an explanation is how can ADHD be called a natural variation and be a disability? It would have helped if there was a definition of disability, but none were provided. It did said the condition of being a disability is depending on severity (Osborn and Gude, p.27). It was not explained how severe it has to be considered disabled AND still be within the parameters of ADHD and not be considered totally "neurotypical". Now, I know some people will crucified me for what I am about to say, but doesn't that lead to some credit to the concept of "everyone is a little bit ADHD"? By also saying that it is natural and it has been around forever, are we doing a disservice by saying a natural variation is a condition that would be considered disabled?
This leads me to reiterate what is a disability? Without looking it up, I would say a disability is a condition where your body (including brain) is supposed to work, but it doesn't (i.e., blindness). From other books I have read, ADHD is seem to be a brain type that was more prevalent in a hunter-gather world not so much for our modern context. This means the brain is working how it should, in theory. This means we need another definition of a disability that could fit. For this, I looked to those who have dwarfism. Unless the science has been updated since I was in high school, dwarfism is caused by a dominant gene that has a low frequency. This means the majority of us who do not have dwarfism have created a world that would make most circumstances difficult for those with dwarfism. Basically, a disability in this context would be a condition that is in the minority in a world ruled by the majority. The thing is that fits with how people with ADHD feel about being in a world that is not designed for them, but I am not sure how much they are in the minority when it seems more people are getting diagnose or if they feel like something is "wrong" to look for a diagnosis.
Related to this topic is the discussion about ADHD being a neurodevelopmental disorder. As the brain develops, it is revealed that the brain is not the usual infrastructure of a other brains. For lot of people, this is found out quite early on, but for others they discovered it later on. This has led to the question about can you catch it later? Our authors say no, but they also say different factors can make the ADHD not noticeable. This leads me to want to argue. Our brains are changing from the time we are born to the time we die as different chemicals and hormones wax and webbed. At this point let me bring out my drowned town analogy. The town is the ADHD brain type. The water covering the town are the chemicals and hormones that cover the town making the ADHD symptoms not really noticeable. From a semantic point of view, it does seem like ADHD can appear out of nowhere. This seemed to be said by the authors when you have women, especially not realizing there are problems until they hit menopause or a particular bad menustral cycle.
While I understand a lot of people with ADHD have comorbidities, I wish there was more of an explanation of how OCD interacts with ADHD. Cate Osborn only briefly talked about the other conditions that are in the umbrella and not how OCD can get involved. While I have not had an official diagnosis, I seem to have OCD tendencies, if not full blown OCD. Let me tell you if you are in an OCD feedback loop, executive functioning can be impaired. You know that if you stop nothing bad will happen, but at the same time you can't even though you need to move on to the next thing. If the authors do not know much about OCD and ADHD interacting then they could have gotten an expert like they did with BIPOC and Transgender people.
Verdict: Eh, there were a lot of moments where I had to stare in the middle distance, because I wanted to flip tables on what I read. There is a chapter on sex, where my mind was blown on different terms. While I think there needs to be conversations on sex, I do not agree on what was talked about and the conclusions that came from that. Also, a side note what exactly are polyamorous relationships, specifically does sex happen in them, because if you are not having sex and intimacy can be platonic then how is that not friendship (Osborn and Gude, p. 355)? There was a lot of use of the f-word, which I'm like why?
The one thing that confused me and I wished there was a more of an explanation is how can ADHD be called a natural variation and be a disability? It would have helped if there was a definition of disability, but none were provided. It did said the condition of being a disability is depending on severity (Osborn and Gude, p.27). It was not explained how severe it has to be considered disabled AND still be within the parameters of ADHD and not be considered totally "neurotypical". Now, I know some people will crucified me for what I am about to say, but doesn't that lead to some credit to the concept of "everyone is a little bit ADHD"? By also saying that it is natural and it has been around forever, are we doing a disservice by saying a natural variation is a condition that would be considered disabled?
This leads me to reiterate what is a disability? Without looking it up, I would say a disability is a condition where your body (including brain) is supposed to work, but it doesn't (i.e., blindness). From other books I have read, ADHD is seem to be a brain type that was more prevalent in a hunter-gather world not so much for our modern context. This means the brain is working how it should, in theory. This means we need another definition of a disability that could fit. For this, I looked to those who have dwarfism. Unless the science has been updated since I was in high school, dwarfism is caused by a dominant gene that has a low frequency. This means the majority of us who do not have dwarfism have created a world that would make most circumstances difficult for those with dwarfism. Basically, a disability in this context would be a condition that is in the minority in a world ruled by the majority. The thing is that fits with how people with ADHD feel about being in a world that is not designed for them, but I am not sure how much they are in the minority when it seems more people are getting diagnose or if they feel like something is "wrong" to look for a diagnosis.
Related to this topic is the discussion about ADHD being a neurodevelopmental disorder. As the brain develops, it is revealed that the brain is not the usual infrastructure of a other brains. For lot of people, this is found out quite early on, but for others they discovered it later on. This has led to the question about can you catch it later? Our authors say no, but they also say different factors can make the ADHD not noticeable. This leads me to want to argue. Our brains are changing from the time we are born to the time we die as different chemicals and hormones wax and webbed. At this point let me bring out my drowned town analogy. The town is the ADHD brain type. The water covering the town are the chemicals and hormones that cover the town making the ADHD symptoms not really noticeable. From a semantic point of view, it does seem like ADHD can appear out of nowhere. This seemed to be said by the authors when you have women, especially not realizing there are problems until they hit menopause or a particular bad menustral cycle.
While I understand a lot of people with ADHD have comorbidities, I wish there was more of an explanation of how OCD interacts with ADHD. Cate Osborn only briefly talked about the other conditions that are in the umbrella and not how OCD can get involved. While I have not had an official diagnosis, I seem to have OCD tendencies, if not full blown OCD. Let me tell you if you are in an OCD feedback loop, executive functioning can be impaired. You know that if you stop nothing bad will happen, but at the same time you can't even though you need to move on to the next thing. If the authors do not know much about OCD and ADHD interacting then they could have gotten an expert like they did with BIPOC and Transgender people.
Verdict: Eh, there were a lot of moments where I had to stare in the middle distance, because I wanted to flip tables on what I read. There is a chapter on sex, where my mind was blown on different terms. While I think there needs to be conversations on sex, I do not agree on what was talked about and the conclusions that came from that. Also, a side note what exactly are polyamorous relationships, specifically does sex happen in them, because if you are not having sex and intimacy can be platonic then how is that not friendship (Osborn and Gude, p. 355)? There was a lot of use of the f-word, which I'm like why?
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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!
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!
April 3, 2026
The ADHD Field Guide for Adults is exactly what it promises to be, and that alone sets it apart. Cate Osborn has spoken openly about the ADHD books she does not like, noting that they are either inaccessible or just massive walls of text, and she clearly built this book in direct response to that gap. Clusterfuck Nation The result is something that feels immediately different from the moment you pick it up. The bite sized format, the Q and As, the definition breaks, and the expert takes are not gimmicks. They are thoughtful design choices that reflect a genuine understanding of how an ADHD brain actually engages with information, and they work.
What makes this book particularly valuable is how far it goes beyond the foundational basics. It explores issues that are rarely discussed in ADHD literature, including navigating sex and intimacy, the healthcare system, and home care, Simon & Schuster and it does so with the kind of candor and warmth that can only come from lived experience. Cate and Erik are not writing from a clinical distance. They are writing as people who have been there, who have felt the confusion and the shame and the exhaustion of trying to function in a world not built for their brains, and that authenticity is felt on every page.
Erik Gude puts it simply and powerfully when he says that failure in systems is not a personal failure but a data point, Clusterfuck Nation and that philosophy runs through the entire book. There is no shame here, no suggestion that the reader is broken or lacking. Instead there is curiosity, compassion, practical wisdom, and the quiet but powerful message that understanding your brain is not the end of the work. It is the beginning of building a life that actually fits it. This is a book that will be returned to again and again, and that is exactly what it was designed for.
What makes this book particularly valuable is how far it goes beyond the foundational basics. It explores issues that are rarely discussed in ADHD literature, including navigating sex and intimacy, the healthcare system, and home care, Simon & Schuster and it does so with the kind of candor and warmth that can only come from lived experience. Cate and Erik are not writing from a clinical distance. They are writing as people who have been there, who have felt the confusion and the shame and the exhaustion of trying to function in a world not built for their brains, and that authenticity is felt on every page.
Erik Gude puts it simply and powerfully when he says that failure in systems is not a personal failure but a data point, Clusterfuck Nation and that philosophy runs through the entire book. There is no shame here, no suggestion that the reader is broken or lacking. Instead there is curiosity, compassion, practical wisdom, and the quiet but powerful message that understanding your brain is not the end of the work. It is the beginning of building a life that actually fits it. This is a book that will be returned to again and again, and that is exactly what it was designed for.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.
Thank you to NetGalley, Gallery Books, and Cate Osborn, Erik Gude and Rennie Dyball for the eARC of this novel to review.
March 11, 2026
It’s hard at forty-two when your world is turned upside down. In a matter of weeks, how you see yourself shifts; you question your childhood, your working career, how you interact with people, and show up. You stop blaming yourself for things and look at situations from a different lens. In some ways, you let yourself off the hook. In others, you look at the trail of breadcrumbs and those around you and question how no one saw things for what it was.
Enter: The ADHD Field Guide for Adults. The sanity saving, “wait, it’s not just me!” manual to help those of us diagnosed later in life.
This book was simply a lifesaver. A buoy in the storm when I was questioning everything and seeing forty-two years in a new light.
It covers, well, everything. Yes, the key things like diagnosis, medication, accommodations, and how to work with neurodivergence instead of beating yourself up or giving in. But also things like sex, personal hygiene, and being kind to yourself. A lot of the symptoms brought up in the book (forgetfulness, losing track of time, hating to do repetitive tasks, minor mistakes, zoning out as people talk, etc.) are things I have beaten myself up for for years and the Field Guide helped me to stop, because it’s part of having ADHD.
They repeated that my condition does not define me. It’s not an excuse. But it is part of me, and to work with it, not against it.
I cannot stress how this book has carried me the last few months. How it answered questions I didn’t know to ask and made me feel less alone. Thank you Cate and Erik, you made this gal feel “normal” for the first time maybe ever. And that is truly invaluable.
Enter: The ADHD Field Guide for Adults. The sanity saving, “wait, it’s not just me!” manual to help those of us diagnosed later in life.
This book was simply a lifesaver. A buoy in the storm when I was questioning everything and seeing forty-two years in a new light.
It covers, well, everything. Yes, the key things like diagnosis, medication, accommodations, and how to work with neurodivergence instead of beating yourself up or giving in. But also things like sex, personal hygiene, and being kind to yourself. A lot of the symptoms brought up in the book (forgetfulness, losing track of time, hating to do repetitive tasks, minor mistakes, zoning out as people talk, etc.) are things I have beaten myself up for for years and the Field Guide helped me to stop, because it’s part of having ADHD.
They repeated that my condition does not define me. It’s not an excuse. But it is part of me, and to work with it, not against it.
I cannot stress how this book has carried me the last few months. How it answered questions I didn’t know to ask and made me feel less alone. Thank you Cate and Erik, you made this gal feel “normal” for the first time maybe ever. And that is truly invaluable.
March 3, 2026
I enjoyed reading through this and I think it will make a great resource going forward. I am a person diagnosed in adulthood with ADHD and the ways the condition impacts (and explains) my life are innumerable. It is obvious reading this guide that the authors have been there. The book is organized in a way that is user friendly for me and the way my ADHD manifests and I appreciate how comprehensive it is, covering just about any aspect of life that can be difficult for a neurodivergent brain. The experiences and advice shared at the end of each chapter from members of the authors' online community are great as well.
I think this would also be an excellent resource for people who are living with or in a relationship with someone with ADHD. The chapters dedicated to the science behind the condition along with the accessible, real-life examples and suggestions throughout the book make it a resource that I think may be more likely than others to provide the non-neurodivergent with an enlightening and actionable perspective on ADHD related struggles. They may not 'understand' why certain tips would be needed or effective for their loved one, but I think this guide could make it easier for them to wrap their. minds around how to be helpful in implementing coping strategies.
I received an early electronic copy of this book and I'm leaving my review voluntarily.
I think this would also be an excellent resource for people who are living with or in a relationship with someone with ADHD. The chapters dedicated to the science behind the condition along with the accessible, real-life examples and suggestions throughout the book make it a resource that I think may be more likely than others to provide the non-neurodivergent with an enlightening and actionable perspective on ADHD related struggles. They may not 'understand' why certain tips would be needed or effective for their loved one, but I think this guide could make it easier for them to wrap their. minds around how to be helpful in implementing coping strategies.
I received an early electronic copy of this book and I'm leaving my review voluntarily.
March 8, 2026
I got a digital/Kindle ARC of this book from Net Galley so the first thing I’ll say is if you have ADHD I highly recommend getting the print version of this book. It’s great for accessibility to have audio/digital versions but the format of this book lends itself to the physical. The authors are social media influencers who have ADHD. The format of the book is to give a little information, and then work through questions they’ve received on the topic. For example under the topic of Time and Task Management, they’ll have a reader question like “How do I not overcommit?” and then they’ll give tips. At times they have experts weigh in on various topics but the bulk of the book is Q&A. So in the digital copy, I said to my son “oh they have some good tips on time management” and then had a hard time finding that section - it would have been much easier in a print version. Also, with the print version you could just pick up the book, read one Q&A, get some good tips & move about your day. At first I didn’t live the book but by the end I feel like they pretty much covered every topic imaginable from systems, tasks, money, relationships & sex. There are so many great books on ADHD, but add this one in because it’s just very accessible and practical!
April 27, 2026
I listened to the audiobook of this book because I have other ADHD books at home that I already need to read. This book was pretty good, especially for someone’s first book about ADHD. It does a great job explaining issues people with ADHD face and why they face those issues.
In the first part of the book, I was feeling a bit frustrated hearing all the related symptoms, issues people with ADHD face and co-morbidities. My frustration stems from feeling helpless at times and even though I understand why I’m experiencing something (which I often analyze internally anyway), it doesn’t alleviate my feelings while going through it.
Later on in the book there are a lot of helpful tips and methods shared to handle common hurdles that neurodivergent people run into. The topics range from household tasks, to intimacy and relationships to handling money. The variety of topics helped me understand just how much of my life is impacted and how I can help myself overcome some obstacles. Overall, I appreciated this book and hope to continue learning more.
In the first part of the book, I was feeling a bit frustrated hearing all the related symptoms, issues people with ADHD face and co-morbidities. My frustration stems from feeling helpless at times and even though I understand why I’m experiencing something (which I often analyze internally anyway), it doesn’t alleviate my feelings while going through it.
Later on in the book there are a lot of helpful tips and methods shared to handle common hurdles that neurodivergent people run into. The topics range from household tasks, to intimacy and relationships to handling money. The variety of topics helped me understand just how much of my life is impacted and how I can help myself overcome some obstacles. Overall, I appreciated this book and hope to continue learning more.
May 13, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I was diagnosed with ADHD about 2 months ago, and this book helped me understand myself in a way I never really could before. So many things in my life finally started making sense while reading it. It explained ADHD in a way that felt relatable, validating, and easy to understand instead of overwhelming.
This book isn’t just about explaining ADHD. It’s also a guide full of helpful tips, coping strategies, and ways to make daily life feel less difficult and chaotic. It made me feel seen and helped me realize I’ve likely been struggling with ADHD for much longer than I knew.
I also love that this book isn’t just for people with ADHD. I think it’s great for neurotypical people too, especially those who want to better understand loved ones with ADHD, what they struggle with, and how to support them in a more understanding and helpful way.
I absolutely loved this book and would highly recommend it to anyone with ADHD, anyone newly diagnosed, or even loved ones wanting to better understand ADHD and how it affects people.
I was diagnosed with ADHD about 2 months ago, and this book helped me understand myself in a way I never really could before. So many things in my life finally started making sense while reading it. It explained ADHD in a way that felt relatable, validating, and easy to understand instead of overwhelming.
This book isn’t just about explaining ADHD. It’s also a guide full of helpful tips, coping strategies, and ways to make daily life feel less difficult and chaotic. It made me feel seen and helped me realize I’ve likely been struggling with ADHD for much longer than I knew.
I also love that this book isn’t just for people with ADHD. I think it’s great for neurotypical people too, especially those who want to better understand loved ones with ADHD, what they struggle with, and how to support them in a more understanding and helpful way.
I absolutely loved this book and would highly recommend it to anyone with ADHD, anyone newly diagnosed, or even loved ones wanting to better understand ADHD and how it affects people.
December 15, 2025
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
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.
May 11, 2026
Genuinely, I think this book is going to change my life. First of all, the amount of validation I felt was crazy. So many things that I've beat myself up over for YEARS suddenly make so much more sense. The connection between adhd/anxiety/depression... how they all feed off each other... not to mention being a woman and how hormones affect everything too. This book not only made me feel seen, and, to quote the authors, "not a fuckup", it also provided some great insight into why my brain does the things it does, and suggests systems/how to implement systems that I can use in my daily life to work with my adhd instead of letting it work against me. I'm so glad a friend recommended this to me and I will be recommending it to any of my friends who suspect they have adhd or were diagnosed later in life. Borrowed from the library so I need to get my own copy stat to mark up and use as a reference.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
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!
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!
December 3, 2025
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!
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!
March 4, 2026
This was a five-star read for me. I loved it so much that I’m planning to buy copies for people in my life.
As someone with ADHD, this book felt incredibly validating and empowering. The authors do a great job explaining the realities of ADHD in a way that makes you feel understood rather than judged.
What I appreciated most were the practical ideas throughout the book. There are so many small, smart strategies that can actually make daily life easier instead of feeling like unrealistic productivity advice.
It’s encouraging, practical, and genuinely helpful. I highly recommend it to anyone with ADHD, as well as friends, family members, or partners who want to better understand how ADHD works in real life.
As someone with ADHD, this book felt incredibly validating and empowering. The authors do a great job explaining the realities of ADHD in a way that makes you feel understood rather than judged.
What I appreciated most were the practical ideas throughout the book. There are so many small, smart strategies that can actually make daily life easier instead of feeling like unrealistic productivity advice.
It’s encouraging, practical, and genuinely helpful. I highly recommend it to anyone with ADHD, as well as friends, family members, or partners who want to better understand how ADHD works in real life.
April 20, 2026
Highly recommend this one for anyone newly diagnosed or who suspects they might have ADHD. Even as somebody who has read pretty extensively about ADHD in the five years since I’ve been diagnosed, I learned about new aspects of this condition I hadn’t even considered (Osborn’s struggle with sleep and waking up in the morning was so so relatable and validating). It covers everything from daily routines, chores, and sleep, to work and relationships and how ADHD impacts the way we approach each of those things. It’s also very accessible for those of us who need lots of breaks while completing tasks, with plenty of breaks, anecdotes, and tips dispersed throughout. It’s super easy to put down and pick back up to refer back to (which I will definitely be doing from time to time).
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