Taking Charge of Adult ADHD, Second Edition: Proven Strategies to Succeed at Work, at Home, and in Relationships

Written by Russell A. Barkley, PhD and Christine M. Benton

Narrated by William Sarris

If you're among the millions of adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), you need the latest facts about the disorder and its treatment. You need practical strategies to help develop your strengths and achieve your goals, whether on the job, in family relationships, or in personal pursuits. From renowned ADHD researcher/clinician Russell A. Barkley, this is the book for you. Dr. Barkley takes you through the process of seeking professional help, addresses frequently asked questions about medications and other treatments, and offers a wealth of advice and tips—all science-based. Featuring the latest resources and medication facts, the revised and updated second edition includes new or expanded discussions of mindfulness, emotional self-control, time management, building a successful career, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and more. Finally, an authoritative one-stop resource to help you take back your life from ADHD.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tantor Media, Inc
• Release date: Mar 29, 2022
• ISBN: 9798765012529

Reviews for Taking Charge of Adult ADHD, Second Edition

[ktj · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book is interesting as it’s written in a way that feels to take a highly negative view of ADHD but also has useful information buried throughout the book.

I can understand why Barkley wrote the book in this manner—his background (a pioneer in ADHD research spans over 4 decades). When Barkley begin his career ADHD a.k.a., ADD was thought to be a disorder that almost exclusively impacted young boys and that they’d eventually grow out of it. It’s not easy to get a disorder like this recognized and I appreciate his research and work. However, I did feel like the book just kept piling on the negative traits and potential outcomes of untreated or poorly managed ADHD.

Stick with it and try to overlook the sometimes condescending and pedantic tone because there are some genuine insights that have helped me. This is one of the first books I’ve actually stuck with and kept going.

Barkley even encourages the reader/listener to continue learning about ADHD and make their own decisions. It might also be that it’s written from an authoritative position to help relay the importance of taking ADHD seriously. His anecdote about his brother (moderate to severe ADHD) and how his risky behavior and dangerous driving ultimately cost him his life.

The book feels like the DARE movement when I was growing up and the police would come to our school to share stories about the dangers of drug use—scared straight. Barkley may have used the same approach to help highlight the seriousness of the disorder and the importance of managing ADHD.

I thought it got better as the book progressed. It’s certainly not a book one would read for pleasure but that’s the point.

TLDR: Read or listen to it if you or someone you love has ADHD because there are a lot of nuggets buried throughout the book.

[Kerry-Ann Maddox · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Listened to to this book slowly, which helped. Discovered in Chapter 37 that this book is not as long as I previously anticipated: it starts over in chapter 37. I assume that this is an error.

[Abel Vaughn-Valencia · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Really great book on adult ADHD by a doctor involved in the DSM criteria development and revision. This book offers a complete overview of the diagnostic criteria and functional consequences that are common in all areas of life. There actionable steps to address different deficiencies are very helpful and simple.

[Ademilola O · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is the best book that I have read on ADHD. I believe that my life is changing for good from now on. This book captures so much details about the symptoms, helped me to understand the chemical reactions of my brain and more about how to manage my ADHD. It provided information about stimulants, non stimulants, habits and a lot more.I have told myself so many things about how to handle my symptoms but hearing all of the recommendations here and techniques to ensure success is very empowering. I am not done listening to the book as at the time of writing this review, but I felt strongly to write this review now so as to help others who might need the resources provided by this book. If you get bored listening to all the details at the beginning of the book, I encourage you to jump ahead, you might be able to come back to the earlier chapters once you have begun to appreciate the depth of help available in this material.

Wishing all my co ADHD survivors success in this journey.

[Lauren Weberman · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I got to chapter 9 and couldn't keep going. If you have ADHD, I would not recommend listening to this. It's incredibly rude and insulting. I'm a very generous friend who gives so much more than I am willing to take. Listening to this guy drone on about what "we do" that "you don't" is exhausting. I kept waiting for the helpful stuff and instead felt more and more terrible about my own existence with the MASSIVE list of issues I "cause myself and others." The message of this book is "if you have ADHD, you should feel bad about the burden you cause others. You're basically one step above an involent." I felt like if I kept going the advice would be "just go kill yourself." What a depressing way to speak to people when they are trying to learn skills that don't come naturally to them.

The fact that we can master skills that our brains aren't built for should be applauded. I don't see any normies able to pull off the cool stuff I am gifted with BECAUSE of my ADHD.

This book might help you, if you don't fall into depression just trying to get to the advice.

This is a hard pass for me.

[Ursula Nic Suibhne · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Know Your Audience In Everything You Right - Evan a menu!

This book is not for anyone with ADHD particularly in audio format. There's far too much talking around ADHD in unengaging language. A lot of unnecessary information where the writer hasn't defined who his audience is. No ADHD brain can get through this easily. There are some wild conclusions about how ADHD affects your life. They are nothing to do with most women with ADHD. ADHD people don't have out of control-sex-habits in meaningful numbers or have the problems with work or marriage described. They may happen but the author stretches credibility here. It's infuriating because our challenges are real but most of us mask, burn out and suffer depression and anxiety because we are "being normal." Why would someone struggling with these challenges, and already at a dopamine defect want to be sold on the reality of ADHD and its consequences in the worst case scenario? Pick who your reader is first. Then organize content and frame it that way. A professional recommended this book to me. I have no confidence in their understanding of neurodivergence now. Anyone who recommends this to someone with ADHD doesn't understand ADHD. And I don't think it would help my family and friends understand me or any ADHD person either.