Journeys Through ADDulthood

Rating:
Summary: Great Book For Dealing With The Emotional Pain of ADHD
Review: As a male not diagnosed with ADHD until my early 40's, I've found this book extremely helpful. Most books dealing with ADD/ADHD describe the symptoms and treatments but this is the first book that I've read that helps me face and deal with my extreme sense of loss and grief over growing up with ADHD without knowing what the H_ _ _ was wrong with me. The author also provides exercises that help gain an new sense of self and acceptance. Additionally there is a section on dealing with practical issues such as organizational skills, getting along with others, etc. I highly recommend this book.

Rating:
Summary: I Only Wish I'd Bought It Sooner
Review: I haven't finished reading it, but already I can't say enough about how much this book has helped me. If you are an adult struggling with ADD/ADHD this book is a must have, because it's one of the few that deals with the post-diagnosis dilemma. And adult who's diagnosed with ADD experiences many things at once; relief because there is now a name for what have likely been life-long problems, anxiety because a diagnosis naturally brings with it a change in self-image and a potential identity crisis, frustration because there is "treatment" but no "cure for ADD, etc., etc. While any number of books do a wonderful job of explaining what ADD is, or offering strategies to cope with the symptoms of ADD, few if any deal effectively with the inner-life and struggle of the adult who is learning to cope with the symptoms of ADD while simultaneously trying to craft a new identity post-diagnosis, and put the past and the present into context. Basically, few other books give advice on how to effectively get on with life after diagnosis.

At first Solden's words may be hard to take. She matter-of-factly states that there is no "cure" for ADD, that it probably can't' be "fixed" and that the symptoms will probably continue to cause problems for the adult with ADD. To her credit, she puts this as gently as possible, and offers the promise that what she has to say will help the reader stop trying to "fix" himself or herself, and gain a balanced perspective of self that will help him or her to move forward and live his or her best life while continuing to live with and struggle with ADD.

Solden's central, and perhaps most powerful, message is simple: diagnosis is not identity. People with ADD, unfortunately, live in a world that reminds them of their difficulties and shortcomings on almost a daily basis. Solden sees how this distorts the self-concept of the adult with ADD and offers tools and methods to begin shifting that self concept from focusing on difficulties to a more balanced focus that looks realistically at individual difficulties and strengths.

I could say more, but I'll sum my opinion of this book by saying that were it in my power to do so, I would give a copy of this book to every single adult with ADD. In fact, it would be handed out with the diagnosis and first prescription.

Rating:
Summary: More than just "another" book about adults with ADD
Review: I think I've read just about every book for adults with ADD that's out there, but this is the best one yet. Sari offers not just insight as to how the ADDult mind works, but she also gives solid advice on how to reclaim one's goals and dreams despite our difficulties. This is the first book I've read that really helps those with ADD to learn to separate our difficulties from our gifts and talents, and to forge ahead in the knowledge that ADD need not destine us to a life of resignation to getting less from ourselves because of our difficulties. This book was a real breakthrough for me and just what I needed to read at this point in my own ADD journey. Kudos to Sari for a very well-written and necessary addition to the number of works on adult ADD.

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Summary: solden does it again
Review: Sari Solden wrote what I think is the best add book for adult women with her first book, especially those newly diagnosed and this book is just as good. Here, she is addressing primarily those of us (men and women) who have lived for a couple of years or more with a diagnosis of addult add (most likely not diagnosed as a child). She clearly explains, using examples, the how different people deal with the diagnosis over the years, what the stumbling blocks are in terms of career choice and home life, and how to overcome them. She speaks about how many of us may accept we have add, and dutifully take our meds, but still have problems because we don't think about the life changes we may need to make to best utilize our unique skills and the help we may need to be succesful. She talks about how to identify problem areas and think up solutions. Excellent book for the add adult--though not the best "intro" book.

Rating:
Summary: Very helpful
Review: This is must have for ADDults. This book gives more than just the sympton of AD/HD. It give ADDults a better understanding of what they are and will be going through. I think this is probably best written book about ADDults.