Survival Tips for Women with AD/HD: Beyond Piles, Palms & Stickers

by Terry Matlen

Women with AD/HD tormented by the daily chores and decisions needed to survive in a world of linear thinking will find solace in this self-help guide. Offering a collection of practical solutions to seemingly simple daily problems, this book will help to relieve the guilt and anxiety so many women have when they feel they don't measure up to the norms of today's society. These proven gems of wisdom, submitted by hundreds of women with AD/HD from all over the world, will help the reader painlessly get through the piles of laundry on her floor and stacks of paper on her desk. Written to accommodate readers with AD/HD who often have difficulty reading a book from cover to cover, this guide is designed like a manual, allowing them to flip through to areas of interest without having to read the entire book to find what they need. Practical tips provide help in dealing with organizational tasks, including paperwork in the home and office, preparing meals, social situations, paying bills on time, household chores, shopping, and personal and family health.

Genres: Adhd, Nonfiction, Self Help, Psychology, Reference, Health

333 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Terry is a psychotherapist, author, and consultant specializing in ADHD in adults, with a special focus on women with ADHD. She is the author of the books, "The Queen of Distraction" (2014 New Harbinger Publications) and "Survival Tips for Women with ADHD" (2005 Specialty Press) and is the founder/director of www.ADDConsults.com and www.QueensOfDistraction.com . Terry also founded the social networking site, www.facebook.com/groups/womenWithADD/ .

She is the former Vice President and a board member of ADDA (Attention Deficit Disorder Assoc: www.add.org ) and is immediate past Coordinator of E. Oakland County CHADD (Michigan)- www.chadd.org . Terry is the founder and moderator of the first internet mailing list for ADD professionals.

Terry is certified through the Institute for the Advancement of ADHD Coaching as a Senior Certified Coach (SCAC) and runs online group coaching groups at www.QueensOfDistraction.com.

A nationally recognized speaker on the topic, Terry has a passion for raising awareness of the special challenges for women with ADHD and the unique issues they face as parents when both they and their children have ADHD. Her professional interests also include advocating for children with special needs.

Terry received a B.A. in Art Education, a M.S.W. in Clinical Social Work at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan and studied painting at the Art Students League in NYC. She is licensed to practice in Michigan and New York.

Married with 2 young adult children (one of whom has ADHD) Terry also has ADHD herself. In her spare time she likes to paint (and has shown her work extensively), play guitar and various other instruments, read and spend time with her family.

Reviews

[Marley]

I just logged into my account after a year and a half. It's not that I haven't been reading. I've just been too busy to write reviews and had some computer issues in the meantime and then just kind of forgot about the site. Upon logging back in I discovered that I am "currently" reading Survival Tips for Women with AD/HD.

I don't remember finishing this book. I'm not sure exactly where I put it. (I have the vague notion, it might be at the bottom of a stack of things that I don't have time to sort through right now.)

...I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that this book didn't do a lot for me.

[Adrienne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a good resource for many ideas to help me with my ADHD. It was a bit frustrating having to read through so many ideas, some that repeat themselves but by different women or in different areas of the book. I got impatient not wanting to read cover to cover to find the ideas specific to my ADHD tendencies. It is also a bit outdated. I would recommend this to others if you want specific ideas. Think about your areas you want help with and then read those sections. My favorite chapter 17 where experts with ADHD in the field of ADHD share a bit of their stories and advice.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found myself relating to SO MUCH that's in here. Some of the tips I've been implementing my whole life but was always frustrated by how many to do lists and post it notes I needed to succeed. This book is great, glad I purchased it.

[Giggles · Rating 2 out of 5]

While it was remotely helpful, it was more just musings from other ADHD-ers and outdated advice such as palm pilots. I would love to find a more relevant version.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

A "generous 3"; because I did get a lot of pointers while reading, I believe will be helpful for myself & ND household.

However, the blurry font was obnoxious. The entire thing felt like an ad for palm pilot & the author's web store (which the author's own link in the book doesn't even work any longer? So perhaps update your book.....?) The palm pilot was also recommended from that store circa 2005.

I read this based on some FB group recommendations or other. I want to reiterate that I DID find many useful tips among the blurry font & almost constant seeming of selling product, though.

[Candy Sparks · Rating 5 out of 5]

The great thing about this book? You don't have to read it in order. You can skip around to find the tips and tricks that work best for you. There is so much useful Information to try out as well. Worth reading!

[Megan Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book may be very helpful to some newly-diagnosed ADHD folks, but I found it to be a bit dated. Most of the tips in here can apply to any adult with ADHD, not just women. 3 stars - not quite hitting the mark for me.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great tips!

[Savannah Leigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is good, but it's a little dated. It helped some, but I knew a lot of the survival tips. Would love to see an updated version.

[Liesel Walker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dated but still has some good nuggets

[Gaijinmama · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some information is outdated (fax machines, palm pilots...), but the advice still holds and is very accessible for those of us with short attention spans.

[Ivonne Rovira · Rating 3 out of 5]

From the moment I heard about this book on Talk of the Nation, I knew I had to have it. I was listening while driving, and, as soon as I got to my destination, I ordered it for my Kindle before I even got out of the car!

I have two daughters with autism and a son with ADHD (among other diagnoses), but I didn’t really think any of that applied to me — until I heard author Terry Matlen on the radio. I had always been an A student and an excellent reader, but I have been untidy and disorganized in anything that didn’t have to do with schoolwork. Since I had an excellent attention span for school, lectures, and the like, how could I possibly had AD/HD? Yet, why was my house and car always a mess? Why did I misplace so many things? Why was my laundry always piled up? Why did I never know how to tidy up my linen closet? Like so many of the callers to Talk of the Nation, I thought it was a personality flaw or a moral failing? Why wasn’t I more persistent? Why wasn’t I more clever about organizing my kitchen, or bathroom, or bedroom, or …? Why would I begin a task with gusto and then lose steam halfway? Why, why, why? What’s wrong with me?

Thanks to this book, at least now I know what’s wrong with me. However, I was expecting more of an analysis of my condition with more generalized advice, such as how to know for sure whether you have AD/HD or when to reach for Adderall and when not or how to calm one’s racing thoughts or ways to compensate at work that would help one become more organized at work. Instead, Survival Tips for Women with AD/HD: Beyond Piles, Palms, & Post-Its doesn’t really go “beyond piles, Palms and Post-Its”; it’s more of a Hints for Heloise for the AD/HD set, although with tips that aren’t as useful or efficient as those of the original. Most of the advice would be suitable for any woman. For example, any woman of average height would benefit from having a stepstool in the kitchen and the advice to bring lemons to room temperature before juicing them isn’t just for the chronically disorganized and/or forgetful. Matlen ends the book with some recipes for women who have trouble getting dinner on the table; however, again, while easy and excellent, these recipes would prove serviceable to any new cook, whether beset with AD/HD or not.

In fairness, while a lot of the advice I’ve gotten before, I did pick up some decent tips. The recipes are first rate, too. Still, this book wasn’t what I was looking for.

[V2adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will quickly become your # 1 go to book for answers about ADHD! Whether you have it or a member of your family does, Terry Matlen answers almost any question that you have in such a fun and comical way that you just want to keep reading this book over and over again!! Not only does she interview people with this condition, but she lives with it herself. I enjoyed this book so much, that I actually went out and purchased a copy of it to keep on hand!! This is a must read for anyone who deals with someone with ADHD. Terry Matlen will keep you in stitches while you learn so many things to help you in with this situation.

[A.C. Bauch · Rating 5 out of 5]

lots of practical wisdom in this book, for any woman with a busy life (i.e., all women!), not just those with add/adhd. i've implemented several of the strategies in this book, and they've helped me successfully manage some of my problem areas (e.g., time management).

[Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book will be helpful if you've never read a book on organizing or if you are newly diagnosed with ADD. Otherwise it's forgettable, outdated and better suited for hard copy, as the tabbed sections don't really translate to ebook form.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

its great!

[Angie Albright]

This is a little on the elementary side but there are some really practical nuggets for those of us who need structure and routines to function with ADHD.

[Avien · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED this book....hysterical in a Non fiction sorta way. VERY informative!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent resources in a well organized and "user-friendly" book.

[Lisa Rand · Rating 3 out of 5]

Will keep coming back to this book. Great reference.