Member Reviews
Great book with insight into ADHD. Very helpful for someone who lives with a person with ADHD. Would definitely recommend giving it a go
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.
I was very intrigued by this book as I’ve had some concerns regarding ADHD late diagnosis vs menopause. This was a valuable and informative read. I think I’m probably somewhere in the middle but the science and practical info in this book was detailed and helpful and I found some of the suggestions very useful. I think this is a great reference for anyone curious, concerned, or dealing with the symptoms and effects. Highly recommended.
Over the past couple of years I have found myself identifying with some of the common characteristics of an ADHD brain. Seeing this book on Netgalley, I thought it would be a good opportunity to understand it, and maybe my brain, more.
Moving from the neuroscience of ADHD, through the characteristics and then appropriate strategies for ADHDers to get through life, Maschke paints a detailed picture of ADHD without overloading you with information. There were some parts where I would have loved more detail but that's only because they were particular chapters that interested me. As an introduction to ADHD and how it affects women, this book is perfect.
I've come away from the book convinced that I don't have "enough ADHD" for an official diagnosis but I now have some coping strategies for those ADHD corners of my brain. I have also gained a better understanding of ADHD in general and how I can help the ADHDers around me.
I've read a good amount of self development books, in particular those that focus on ADHD but this has been by far my favourite.
Rooted in stats and science, the book not only recommends tools to help manage ADHD symptoms it also explains why they happen. There are examples on how the ADHD brain differs from a neuro typical one, as well as delving into the unique challenges faced by women with ADHD. This will be a title to return to again to revisit poignant sections.
I listened to the audiobook as my own ADHD brain can't read non-fiction but I will be getting a physical copy that I can highlight in.
I'm torn on this one - I think it could be a good introduction for some, but I struggled to get into it and stay engaged as it felt very over explainy at first, I felt like I kept being told what the book will do for ages rather than it just doing it. I didn't need to be told about adhd being seen as a white boy problem and I definitely think the problem is that I am simply not the target audience, but I also can't say if I think it's good for those people or not.
This book is a great guide to ADHD for women. I highly recommend this book to everyone, both newly diagnosed and those who have been diagnosed for a while. It was extremely informative with clear narration. This was a great listen and a wonderful addition to my library. Thank you Watkins Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this audiobook.
I will be buying a physical copy of this book!
I've never felt so seen while listening to a book! The older I get the more I believe I have ADHD. The older I get the more I listen to my body and my brain! I have in the past struggled with depression which I believe was linked to my undiagnosed ADHD.
This book was something I wish I had in my 20's but I'm glad I have it in my 30's
Thanks for writing this book!
Very interesting listen. Really helped me understand ADHD in women and how to better my life with it!
I really enjoyed listening to this audiobook,, it’s such an interesting topic and I found the book very informative and engaging. I feel like I have come away with a much greater of ADHD as a whole and how it impacts my life. I will definitely be getting myself an in print copy of this to refer back to! If you want to learn more about ADHD because you or someone close to you has ADHD then this would be a great read for women out there, but I also think you can learn so much even if you are just looking to educate yourself further on ADHD.
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A Feminist’s Guide to ADHD by Janina Maschke it's like a basic ABC for ADHD! This was a really good and well-explained book!
I chose this book because my wife has ADHD and sometimes I struggle to understand things! Even if she says why this is this and that is my brain will go blank with - How this is possible? So this book gives examples in such a simple way that you just understand!
I think I rang my wife hundreds of times while was listening to this book. And I was so excited as finally, I understood so much!
It's a challenge for people around so imagine how challenging it is to live with this condition.
Narration definitely is ADHD-friendly before you wonder!
I would advise this book to everyone who thinks they could have one or to all who think they live with one!
All I am going to say is that its nice to listen to a book that acknowledges and validates your experiences your whole life.
It just a good read if you think you have ADHD or have ADHD and a woman or for anyone that wants to broaden their knowledge on women and medal field.
I received this audiobook from NetGalley and Watkins Publishing | Watkins in exchange for a free and honest review.
A very insightful book tackling ADHD in women, from signs, diagnosis, treatment and co-morbidities. I think this book would make a good reference guide with clear and concise chapters. I would advise readers to also get the ebook/ physical version for easy reference, as the author includes a lot of exercises to try. Overall, a good book with a great narration by Kate Handford and I would recommend to everyone as I feel the included exercises can be of benefit to all.
I am slightly shaken by the experience of reading this book as an educator with ADHD. I was initially disconnected from the early chapters because I have quite a lot of information about the context of ADHD and female diagnosis. However, I found the second half of the book invaluable. I've learned things about myself and identified areas that I would like to pursue to make my life better in the near future. I think this will be a very important book for women of many ages and the challenges and options while living with ADHD. I will definitely buy a physical copy to share with my students when it comes out.
As someone who fits perfectly within the target audience for this book, I devoured it in just one day. I’ve never taken so many notes while reading, so thank you so much!
My psychotherapist first mentioned the possibility of me being neurodivergent and having ADHD shortly after I began seeing her—just a few appointments in. I was 26 at the time, the same age as the author when she was diagnosed, so that really hit home. My initial reaction? Let’s just say it wasn’t pretty. I was angry and wanted to stop therapy. I thought, “No, that can’t be it,” as if ADHD were a dirty word, an insult. I found it easier to accept the possibility of other disorders over ADHD because of the stigma and misinformation surrounding it. The author addresses this well, especially noting how ADHD often coexists with other conditions, particularly in women. Even now, nearly two years later, I’m still coming to terms with my diagnosis, figuring out what it means for me, and acknowledging there’s still a long way to go.
The real struggle for me has been moving beyond "acceptance." While I may have had access to some tools, I’ve either overlooked or avoided them. This book came into my life just when I needed it, offering me both comfort and practical strategies. Feeling overwhelmed and unsure where to begin, I found the book's factual hacks exactly what I needed. It made me feel truly seen, and almost everything resonated deeply.
The structure is engaging, with each chapter ending in a helpful summary of key takeaways. I listened to the audiobook version at 1.75x speed while working and had to stop several times just to jot down notes. The tips and hacks were the standout feature for me, offering a lot to reflect on and apply. I’m eagerly awaiting a physical copy because I believe it will enhance the experience even more than the audiobook did.
The book closes with the line, "Congratulations again on how far you've come. Now it's time to embrace all of who you are." - this sentence moved me deeply, and it's such a beautiful message I will make mine.
I will make sure to make a TikTok video for this book as well closer to the publication date, a week before or so, to make sure that people who watch that will be able to pre-order/buy soon.
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. 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.
This was FASCINATING. Really enjoyed it and learned a lot. I can’t wait for it to come out to buy for friends.
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I walked into this audiobook as a 20-year-old woman with suspected but ultimately undiagnosed ADHD. As the book went along, I found myself relating to symptoms more and more whilst my understanding broadened too.
I found that the author approached the book with kindness, authenticity and understanding- almost like a big sister’s perspective. I found the format to be clear, easy to understand and accessible and I appreciated the attention to detail whilst still maintaining my focus. Saying that, in some areas (almost ironically) I found myself zoning out when some topics felt a little tedious. However, I found myself thoroughly engaged whenever strategies and practical approaches were discussed and I am keen to try out some of these methods myself!
Something I found particularly interesting was the talk on the discrepancies in diagnostic rates between boys and girls and the wider health care system and debate. I also was very interested in the discussion about hormones and hormonal changes in regards to the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopause. This allowed me to almost glimpse into what I could expect in the future, or at least have as knowledge in order to support others.
A very insightful read that I would recommend to women in a similar position.
As someone with ADHD who is also female presenting, I appreciate this book a lot.
The introduction alone quite frankly had me in tears, because this is exactly what I experienced in school. I too was the "dreamy" girl in school and the "extremely talkative" girl everywhere outside of it, which had mostly to do with the bullying I had to suffer due to being different. I too was only diagnosed in my 20s, when my ADHD severely affected my ability to work in an office setting (my first actual full-time job). Basically all of the fem representing people with ADHD I have talked to over the years were diagnosed in they adulthood.
The fact that Maschke goes so in depth in terms of the healthcare/-system discrepancy between men and women is wonderful. It is something not talked about enough. She doesn't limit the topics of this book to "just" ADHD, but also goes into detail regarding the correlation between the condition and the hormones a woman's body produces. Not only that, she also talks about periods, pregnancy, and even menopause. Some topics I feel are still considered very "taboo".
I enjoyed this audiobook, it was very informative especially the first half of it and as someone diagnosed with ADHD as an adult, it was so easy to relate to the author! It definitely helped me understand why I do things a certain way and how my brain works (scientifically!). There were some sections of the book which I felt like I didn't relate to, especially towards the end (e.g., skipped most of the chapter on maternity & ADHD) but all in all this is a useful and informative guidebook and self-help book!
thank you to NetGalley & Watkins Publishing for a free advance copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review ✨