Reply To: Book Discussions

[Blue Yugo]

I only have 2 books on ADD because I’m determined to keep it to very good ones that actually help me.  My philosophy is that if I give myself TOO many choices of books, I’ll end up reading only little bits of each and never wind up with the full picture because I’d be always distracted by digging into the newest one until an even newer one pops up.

That being said, here are the 2 books pertaining to ADD that I have (and why).

1.  “Taking Charge of Adult ADHD” – by Russell A. Barkley, PhD.  I like this one because it is the one that got me to seek treatment with all its check lists, some of which very well define the specific areas impairment occurs for me.  It gives other prompts throughout the book for you to fill out for yourself and also strategies for the most common problems ADD’ers have with work, finances, relationships, etc.  If you can find a preview of it online or in a store, do so…so that you can see if the format is something that jives with you, and you don’t wind up collecting too many books and making a bigger pile of mental clutter for yourself.  This book is mentioned in a post above, but I wanted to give my reasons for liking it.

2.  “ADD Stole My Car Keys” – by Rick Green & Dr. J.  I like this one because it’s got 155 common symptoms and it’s easy to skip around like my brain wants to do, and I often say “That is SO me!”  Dr. J explains how each topic affects ADD’ers, and Rick tells personal experiences, to which I really feel like starting a journal notebook to add my own as well.  (There’s also a fun type-o on the credits page.)  It helps me root out my biggest problem areas.  Next time I see my doctor, I will recommend she check it out, too.

Barkley is great at telling the whole, hard truths.  Rick is great at making you laugh at those same truths (in the ADD-friendly “you can skip around if you want” format).

– Viv

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