The Book Everyone With Adult ADHD Needs (2 in 1): Written For Neurodiverse Men & Women To Stay Organized, Succeed In Relationships, Work & At Home & Embrace Themselves (Self Care)

By Natalie M. Brooks

If You've Longed To Break Free From The Chains Of Your Past, Overcome Obstacles, And Unleash The Inner Peace You Deserve, Then This 2-In-1 Practical Bundle Is Your Guiding Light! 

Packed with over 100 exercises, strategies, and practices, along with 10+ hours of transformative teachings, this bundle is not just theory—it's a practical guide designed to kickstart your healing journey today.

You deserve to embark on a path of healing, and we are committed to helping you achieve that.

.Inside, You'll Discover…

Book 1 -The Book Women With Adult Adhd Need

• The 7 Essential Ways To Navigate The Realms Of Your Subconscious And Initiate Powerful Shadow Work
• The 4 Key Insights You Should Know About Self-Love And Healing Through Shadow Work
• Unveiling Why Certain Approaches That Seem Right Are Actually Hindering Your Progress—And What To Do Instead
• A Unique Trick Used By Renowned Therapists And Spiritual Leaders, Guiding You To Delve Into Your Shadow Self

Book 2 - The Book Men With Adult Adhd Need

• A Unique Trick Used By Renowned Therapists And Authorities In The Field, Assisting You In Delving Into Your Inner Child
• The Biggest Mistake People Make In Their Inner Child Healing Journey And How To Avoid It
• The 7 Essential Steps To Actually Healing Your Inner Child And Releasing The Trauma Within You
• 50 Exercises You Can Start Using Today To Supercharge Your Healing Journey

Imagine Gaining Over 10 Hours Of Teachings That Will Empower You To Become Your Best Version By Healing Your Subconscious Trauma And Unleashing The Inner Peace You Desire. The Time For Transformation Is Now!

Scroll Up And Click "Buy This Book" To Begin Your Transformative Journey Today!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Natalie M. Brooks
• Release date: Mar 19, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224982547

Book preview

INTRODUCTION

Sitting in my cluttered home office, I remember one particular day when my attention was like a pinball in an old arcade game, bouncing from email to laundry, to half-written reports, without completing anything. The forgotten cup of coffee now cold on my desk served as a monument to my scattered thoughts. That was a day like many others until I learned to harness my unique mind.

This book is my guide to you, a proven pathway I've walked as a woman with adult ADHD. It's filled with understanding, solutions, and hope for those of us who've ever felt overwhelmed by the simplest tasks, who've been labelled 'disorganized' or 'spacey'—for those who've struggled in silence.

This comprehensive guide is for you, the adult women who, like me, are navigating the seas of ADHD. This isn't a journey of quick fixes, but of deep understanding and sustained change. You're not alone in this: I assure you that you'll find tools and strategies, understanding, and a community within these pages.

Lending to my credibility is not only my diagnosis but also my life lived in the ADHD whirlwind and my commitment to bettering the lives of women who share this neurodiversity. My lived experiences are supported by extensive research and the guidance of leading experts.

In this book, we'll dive into understanding ADHD and its unique presentation in women. We'll explore practical strategies for managing daily tasks, thriving in the workplace, and building relationships that nurture your soul. We'll talk about self-esteem, finding supportive friends, and continuing to grow each day.

The heart of this book lies in its personal touch and simple language, aiming to make you feel seen and understood. Unlike other guides, this book isn't about fixing what isn't broken; it's about aligning your life with ADHD, not against it.

I invite you on this journey of self-discovery and empowerment. Commit to reading and applying what you learn here. Remember, managing your unique brain is a journey that calls for patience, persistence, and self-love.

Let's redefine what ADHD means in our lives. It doesn't signify a deficit but a different wiring system, offering a plethora of strengths when understood and appropriately managed. Your journey with ADHD isn't a path to 'normalcy' but to unlocking your potential, one page at a time. Embrace this journey with hope, ready for the personal growth ahead. Trust that with each step, you're not just aiming for success; you're also crafting a life of meaning and joy unique to you. Welcome aboard — let's begin.

1

UNRAVELING THE ADHD BRAIN: A JOURNEY BEYOND THE MYTHS

Understanding the brain can seem really tricky, but it's the key to understanding ADHD. Imagine your brain as a busy office. In a brain with ADHD, things are a bit different. Some parts of the office are less busy, making work a bit harder. This doesn't mean the office can't do its job; it just works in its own way.

Let's peek into the brain's 'office rooms' to find out what's going on. The prefrontal cortex, think of it as the boss's room, oversees lots of important jobs. It makes plans, tells us to wait before we act, and keeps us focused on tasks. But for someone with ADHD, the boss is a bit quieter. So, making plans, staying on task, or stopping and thinking before acting can be tougher. This is not about being lazy; it's because the room where these decisions are made isn't as active.

Then there's another room called the basal ganglia. This part is kind of like the office's thermostat—it helps keep emotions and actions at the right level. In the ADHD brain, this room might not be working just right, so you might feel more emotions or move around more than others. But everyone's thermostat is set differently; it doesn't mean you're doing emotions or actions wrong.

Lastly, let's talk about the messengers, things called neurotransmitters. Think of them like the office's emails or text messages. Two important messengers are dopamine and norepinephrine. These are like the 'good job!' or 'go for it!' messages in the brain. If you have ADHD, these messages might not get sent as often. This can make it hard to start or finish things because the 'go for it' messages aren't coming through clearly. It's like when texts don't send properly—you're not to blame; the signal just isn't strong enough.

So see, those myths you hear about ADHD, like it's just about not trying hard enough or it's only for kids, aren't true at all. It's about a brain that just works in a unique way. Knowing the facts can make a huge difference in understanding and managing ADHD. And remember, just like that office, every brain gets to its outcomes with its own style and method. Your experiences are real and there is science to back it up. This makes all the science talk not just for doctors, but something that can help you get to know your own brain better. Now that we've unpacked a bit about the brain and ADHD, you can see how special and capable your brain really is, even if it works differently.

DEBUNKING MYTHS: ADHD IS MORE THAN JUST BEING HYPER

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, is a condition that can show itself in many ways. There is a myth, a not-true story, that all people with ADHD are just hyperactive and cannot keep their things in order. This isn't really what ADHD is all about. Let's talk about some of the ways ADHD can appear in women and how these ways aren’t all about being unable to sit still or keep things tidy.

Imagine you meet two women. Both of them have ADHD, but they seem quite different. One woman might always be moving, tapping her foot, or needing to do things. You might think, She's just very energetic! But another woman might not be hyper at all. Instead, she may find herself staring out of the window, lost in thought while important words just float past her. She might miss details, forget things like where she put her keys or what time her meeting is. This is because ADHD also means having a hard time paying attention and not just being super active.

ADHD is tricky. It is not only about forgetting where you placed your favorite book or running late to a friend’s party. It's also about those sudden changes in how you feel. A woman with ADHD might feel super happy one minute and then, without warning, feel sad or angry. It's like her feelings are a light switch, flipping on and off very fast. This happens because sometimes, controlling emotions is extra tough for someone with ADHD. They aren’t trying to be moody; it's just another part of the condition that they need to manage.

And there's something else that's really important to remember: Having ADHD doesn't mean you're not smart or that you're lazy. That’s just not true. A lot of women with ADHD are super smart and full of creative ideas. They may even think in special ways that others don't. But sometimes, these smart, inventive women might be overlooked. That means people don't see their best abilities. Why? creative brain. All you need to do is clean away the dust, and her light can shine brightly for everyone to see. This means that with a little help and understanding, women with ADHD can show off how truly awesome they are.

THE POWER OF KNOWLEDGE: WHY UNDERSTANDING ADHD MATTERS

Understanding the neuroscience of ADHD can be a game-changer, especially if you're a woman who has been living with this condition, often feeling misunderstood or judged. You might've been told that you're not organized enough, or that you need to try harder to keep up with your tasks, both at home and work. But here's the key: knowing what's going on in your brain isn't just for experts—it's a powerful tool for you to navigate your life with more insight and confidence.

So, let's dive into why you, or the tasks you find tricky, are not the problem. Your brain is wired differently, and that's okay. ADHD involves several key areas of the brain, and these areas have a tough time doing their job the way they do for other people. One of these areas is like the boss that plans and sorts tasks, also known as the executive function center. When you try to tidy up your home and end up with piles of stuff everywhere, this boss isn't giving out clear orders. It's not that you can't organize, it's that your brain's natural management style is different.

When it comes to staying on track at work, your brain has a unique way with handling focus. You might find that your thoughts jump from one idea to another, or that you lose track of time when you're deep into a project. This is because the part of your brain that's supposed to help you stay on task could be taking too many breaks. Again, this isn't about how hard you're trying—it's about how your brain operates.

Now, the magical part of understanding the brain science behind your ADHD is validation. For so long, you might've told yourself that if you only had more willpower, you could overcome these struggles. But science helps us see that it's not about willpower at all. It's about how your brain is structured and how it functions, and that understanding can bring a huge sigh of relief. You have a neurological condition, and the challenges you face are because of your unique brain wiring.

With this knowledge, you are now armed to find solutions that work better for you. Your brain might need different kinds of tools and tactics to manage daily life, and that's perfectly fine. Understanding the neuroscience of ADHD can also be a lifeline when you're explaining to others why you do things the way you do. It shows that your experiences aren't random; they're part of a larger picture that is being painted by your brain's distinct way of seeing and interacting with the world.

There's strength in knowing the science behind the way you function. It's like having a map to guide you through a forest; you still have to walk the path, but now you know why it winds the way it does, and you can choose the best trails for your journey.

THE SCIENCE OF ADHD: A STEPPING STONE TOWARDS SELF-ACCEPTANCE

Understanding the science of ADHD is like unfolding a map that helps you navigate through your own mind. This journey can lead you to a place of self-acceptance and self-love. These aren't just feel-good words—they're real and powerful states of being that everyone, especially those with ADHD, deserve to experience. And they are key themes that we'll be diving into throughout this book.

Imagine your brain as a busy city. Now, ADHD can be thought of as this city's unique traffic flow. In the brains of people with ADHD, the traffic lights—chemical messengers that tell cars when to stop and go—are a bit different. This can make the city's traffic (or your thoughts and focus) move in an unusual but interesting pattern. Recognizing that these patterns are due to a neurological condition—not because of something you did wrong—helps you be kinder to yourself when you face challenges.

This kindness matters. It matters on the days when you lose your keys for the tenth time or when you can't seem to start on that important project. Instead of beating yourself up, you understand that it's just the unique wiring of your brain. And like any wiring, it can be understood and managed with the right tools and support.

But it's not just about managing challenges. That unique city traffic of the ADHD brain has some cool advantages, too. People with ADHD often have a special set of strengths, such as creativity, intuition, and an unparalleled ability to think outside the box. You may have an extraordinary imagination, dreaming up ideas that others can't even see on the horizon. Or you might be able to make leaps in problem-solving that are truly innovative because your brain is not following the usual pathways.

Embracing these strengths is a joyous part of your journey. When you complete a project in a way no one else thought possible or bring a spark of creativity that changes a dull idea into something brilliant, that's your ADHD powers at play. Celebrate these victories big and small; they are signs of the incredible abilities that come with your unique brain.

Finally, understanding your ADHD is your best tool in advocating for yourself. Whether it's in the workplace, where you might need different accommodations to do your best work, or at home, where you seek understanding from your loved ones, it starts with understanding yourself. Perhaps you need a quieter space to concentrate, or maybe deadlines should be structured differently. Informing the people around you about how your ADHD works enables them to support you in a way that aligns with your needs.

As we venture through the chapters of this book, remember that self-knowledge is the first step to self-empowerment. Armed with the science of why your mind works the way it does, you can face the world not just with self-acceptance and love but with a sense of pride for the incredible strengths you bring to the table.

2

THE KALEIDOSCOPE OF EXPERIENCES: HOW ADHD MANIFESTS UNIQUELY IN WOMEN

In this chapter, we focus on something important that isn't talked about often enough: how ADHD shows up in women's lives. This isn't just any old topic – it's something that affects millions, but many don't even realize it's there. It's like an invisible backpack full of rocks that women with ADHD carry around, but no one else can see.

Let me put it straight: women and men with ADHD can feel its impact very differently. A lot of folks think ADHD is all about bouncing off walls and not sitting still. That's what we see in the movies, right? But that's not the whole picture, especially for many women.

Here's the deal: women with ADHD are more likely to face battles with paying attention, remembering things, and keeping everything in order. Picture this – you're trying to focus on a conversation, but your mind feels like a TV with someone else holding the remote, flipping through channels at lightning speed. That's what it can be like. And let's not even start on trying to find your keys or phone that you just had in your hand two minutes ago.

But because women don't always fit into that box of what people think ADHD looks like, they often get missed or misunderstood by doctors. It's like being sick but only showing some of the signs, so the doctor thinks it's just a cold, not the flu. Because of this, many women don't get the help they need.

Sometimes, other folks might think a woman's forgetfulness or messiness is just part of her personality, not a sign of ADHD. Oh, that's just Sarah being Sarah, they'd say, not knowing that Sarah's struggling and could use some support. It's tough when people don't get what's really going on.

And then there's the daily juggling act that can feel like a circus performance gone wrong. Keep the house clean, make sure the bills are paid, get to work on time, look after the kids... It's a lot! When balls start to drop, and things aren't going as planned, it's easy for women to think they're not doing enough or that they're failing. But that's far from the truth.

There's also this huge pressure to tick all the boxes of being the 'perfect' woman. Make a home feel like something out of a magazine, raise kids like they're always smiling, and crush it at work. All this demand can turn up the volume on stress and worry, making it tougher for women to feel like they're enough.

Adhd isn't about trying harder; it's about needing to be understood better. if we start changing that view, we can lift the weight from those invisible backpacks and make a world of difference.

THE HORMONE-ADHD CONNECTION: NAVIGATING ADHD THROUGH DIFFERENT LIFE STAGES

When talking about the way women's minds and bodies work, we often hear about hormones. These are strong chemicals in our bodies that change and shift all through our lives. For women, these shifts are big during times like puberty, pregnancy, and menopause. Now, for women who have ADHD, which stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, these shifts can really shake things up.

Imagine ADHD like a radio with a tricky tuner. It's hard to get a clear signal, with focus slipping and sliding from one station to the next. Now, add in those hormonal changes, and it's like a storm is rolling in, making the signal even fuzzier. During puberty, when girls become teenagers, their bodies start to change, and so can their ADHD symptoms. They might find themselves feeling even more scattered, their thoughts jumping around like a bunny hopping from here to there.

Pregnancy can also toss things up a bit. A woman with ADHD may feel like her mind is running a marathon without any breaks. She might forget appointments, feel more restless, and have a harder time staying on top of things. It's like juggling balls in the air and suddenly, a few more get thrown in.

When it comes to menopause, once more, the hormones can stir the pot. Feelings might run high, and it can be even tougher to keep cool and collected. Think of a seesaw going up and down – that's what can happen to their emotions. Dr. Patricia Quinn, a big thinker in the ADHD field, notes that during these times, a woman's ADHD can really make some noise.

Now, let's chat about life's big jumps – like starting college, changing careers, or stepping into motherhood. For many women, these are exciting times, but they can also make ADHD symptoms stronger. Why? Because each jump brings new tasks, new people, and new routines. All of this can make the ADHD brain feel overwhelmed, like too many apps running on a phone all at once.

Take, for instance, a woman landing a fresh new job. She's got to learn her way around, remember the names of her co-workers, and understand what's expected of her, all while keeping her ADHD in check. It might seem like she's climbing a mountain with a heavy backpack. She'll likely feel more stress and a bundle of nerves. This can make her ADHD act up, making the climb seem even steeper.

In all of these cases, it's important to recognize what's happening. By understanding that hormones can turn up the volume on ADHD symptoms, women can be better prepared to face these challenges. It's like having a map before heading into the woods – knowing what's ahead can make the journey a bit easier to handle.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE: A TAPESTRY OF PERSONAL STORIES

When Mary reached her 40s, life seemed like a puzzle where she still couldn't find all the right pieces. For years, she felt different from her friends and family. While they appeared to glide through daily tasks, Mary struggled. Papers piled up on her desk; appointments slipped through her memory like water through fingers, and her dreams and projects became a swirl of unfinished tasks. She often felt lost in a world that valued being organized and staying on track.

One day, a close friend shared an article about adults discovering they had ADHD. As Mary read, it was as if the words jumped off the page, each sentence describing her life. She saw her challenges reflected in the experiences of others and realized she was not alone. With newfound hope, she visited a professional and, finally, a name was put to her life-long dance with distraction: ADHD.

What followed was an eye-opening journey. Mary learned strategies to tackle her paperwork, set reminders that kept appointments front and center, and found systems that helped manage her projects. She connected with groups of people just like her, where tales of misplaced keys and adventurous attention spans brought knowing smiles rather than scolds.

Mary's story isn't just one of struggle; it is one of newfound strength. By understanding her unique mind, she became an unexpected mentor to those in her community. Others who had walked similar paths saw Mary thriving and felt a weight lift from their shoulders. It wasn't too late to find a rhythm to their lives, and there was profound comfort in shared stories.

Our book tells not only of struggles but of successes like those of Alex, a serial entrepreneur whose desk might look like a storm passed through, but whose mind is always abuzz with exhilarating ideas. Alex credits her ADHD for her ability to see connections where others see chaos. Her creative solutions and fearless approach to business challenges have become her superpowers, propelling her forward in a competitive world.

By embracing this part of herself, Alex became a beacon of inspiration for those who have felt their spark smothered. She exemplifies how ADHD, often misunderstood as a hurdle, can actually be the fuel that ignites innovation. Everywhere she speaks, Alex dismantles old, unfair stories about ADHD and knits a new narrative filled with potential.

These personal stories, like Mary's and Alex’s, are the heartbeats of our book. They stitch together a tapestry of real-life experiences that celebrate ADHD not only as a part of one's life but as a testament to individuality, perseverance, and ingenuity. It's in these anecdotes that readers may see a reflection of themselves, find the courage to seek understanding, or simply feel the warmth of a community that says, Your mind is a wonder; let's navigate its skies together.

3

TAMING TIME: MASTERING ADHD TIME MANAGEMENT AND PRIORITIZATION

In this part of the chapter, we'll look closely at the tricky problem many women with ADHD face: dealing with time in daily life. This trouble has a special name—time blindness. This term gives us a picture: just as someone who is blind can't see things around them, people with time blindness find it hard to see time.

Imagine time as a flowing river. For most people, understanding the flow of this river—how fast it goes, where it turns—seems easy. They can guess pretty well how long things will take. Yet for women with ADHD, it's as if they are asked to guess the flow of this river without seeing it clearly. It's kind of like trying to tell time without a clock.

The smart brain guy, Dr. Russell Barkley, first talked about this time blindness issue. Since then, many have realized it's a big deal for those with ADHD. In 2002, some researchers, including someone named Smith, looked into this. They found that people with ADHD aren't just bad at guessing how long things will take. They have a deeper challenge with feeling and managing time inside their heads. We all have a sort of inner clock that tells us things like, You need to leave now to get there on time. For women with ADHD, this inner clock might not work as it should.

Let's picture a common situation. A woman with ADHD needs to get to work by 8:00 AM. She thinks she has enough time as she starts getting ready at 7:00 AM. But suddenly, it's 7:55 AM, and she's not ready yet. It's not because she was lazy or didn't care; her sense of time just did not signal the urgent tick-tock as it would for others. This isn't rare; it happens often, leading to stress that can feel heavy, like carrying a big, unwieldy bag all the time.

It's not just about being late either. These time troubles can make big problems at work (like missing important deadlines) or even hurt friendships and family ties. Imagine always being the last one to show up, or forgetting important dates—people might feel hurt or think you don't value them. Inside, you might feel upset for letting them down, even though you don't mean to.

Time blindness can make every day feel like a puzzle without the picture on the box to help you put the pieces together. In the next sections, we'll explore ways to overcome these time challenges. It's possible to learn new tricks and set up systems that act like a new and better inner clock. This way, women with ADHD can tackle time better and feel more in control of their day-to-day lives.

PAVING THE PATH TO PRIORITIZATION: CONQUERING ADHD-INDUCED DECISION PARALYSIS

In a world that moves quick, it's tough when your mind jumps around like a playful puppy. For women with ADHD, the challenge is real every day. Think of your brain like a boss that helps you plan and decide what to do. For women with ADHD, this boss takes more breaks and sometimes forgets to tell you what's next.

Dr. Ari Tuckman, who knows a lot about ADHD, wrote a book called More Attention, Less Deficit. In it, he talks about why it's hard for some to manage tasks. It's like the tools you need for planning are hiding, and you have to work without them. Women with ADHD face a special kind of puzzle every day. When there are lots of things to do, they may freeze up. Imagine you're in a room full of doors, and each door has a task behind it. You stand there, not sure which door to open first. This is the feeling women with ADHD know well.

This moment of standing still, not sure where to go, is called decision paralysis. It's like your brain is asking too many questions at once, and none of them get answered. This can make starting tasks really hard. You might put something off, also known as procrastinating, because you're not sure it's the right thing to work on. While everyone puts things off sometimes, it happens a lot more often for those with ADHD.

The effect of this can pile up like laundry that never gets folded. Important stuff, like bills or work projects, gets left behind, and the mountain keeps growing. This makes you feel stressed, just like when you're running late and traffic is bad. When you finally sit down to tackle that pile, you're already tired from worrying about it. And being tired means you're not doing your best work, causing more stress.

Sadly, this cycle hits hard on how well you do things. Productive means getting things done well and on time. When tasks sit unfinished, it means your day isn't as smooth as it could be. It's like trying to cook a big meal, but you only get to the store as the guests are ringing the doorbell.

But here's the good part: knowing is half the battle. When you understand the whys, you can start working on the hows. You can learn tricks to make that boss in your brain give better directions. Simple changes in how you plan can turn that room full of doors into a clear path. It's a life-saver, like finding a map when you're lost.

Every big challenge starts with one step. for women with adhd, knowing the steps to take makes the path out of the tangled forest a little easier to find. with each step, that playful puppy in your mind can learn new tricks, making each day a bit brighter.

TIME MANAGEMENT TOOLS TAILORED FOR ADHD MINDS

In the world of managing time, many people turn to tools like planners, to-do lists, and schedules. These are meant to help us keep track of what we need to do and when we need to do it. Yet for women with ADHD, these common tools often don't work as well as they should. Why? for example, are a go-to for staying organized. But for a woman with ADHD, a planner might quickly become a source of stress instead of a helper. Why does this happen? If you tend to lose track of time or if looking at a long list of tasks makes you feel like you're climbing a mountain with no top, a traditional planner isn't going to be your best friend.

An article on ADDitude, a top source for ADHD information, notes that standard ways of managing time do not always consider the unique minds of those with ADHD. It's like giving a swimmer a bicycle. Sure, it's a way to move forward, but it's not the right fit for the water.

So, what makes a better fit? Think about visual timers. Unlike a standard clock, these timers let women with ADHD see the time as it