The Queen of Distraction

October 13, 2014
This self-help manual for women with ADHD is loaded with tips for managing day-to-day hassles but uneven when it comes to incorporating psychological insight. Matlen (Survival Tips for Women with ADHD) effectively demonstrates the disorder's wide net at the start, presenting a case study she'll return to throughout the text: two seemingly opposite friendsâone anxious and guarded, the other impulsiveâwho struggle with different kinds of ADHD. After Matlen provides some basic information concerning the conditionâsubset types, how to seek careâshe jumps to specific tips on how to carry out everyday activities in the face of ADHD. Though perhaps many of the tasks addressed here, like cleaning and meal preparation, do commonly fall to women, readers may be surprised that gender and hormonal factors are not addressed until far into the book. Moreover, many of the daily-life management techniques suggested don't seem specific to either women or individuals with ADHD. Matlen fares better with time management and relationship maintenance, authoritatively spelling out links between ADHD and problems in these realms. Though this book has plenty of useful advice for general readers, those with ADHD may want to look elsewhere.

December 1, 2014

Drowning in clutter? Constantly running late? Burning dinner? Feeling overwhelmed? It may not be a deficit of character, as many believe, but an actual neurobiological disorder called attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Psychotherapist Matlen accurately describes the impulsivity, inattention, procrastination, and difficulties that ADHD sufferers contend with. The good news is that there are simple (but not necessarily easy) structures to put into place to help make life more manageable. Matlen's advice stretches from setting up visual reminders to getting kids to do chores. VERDICT Whether or not one actually suffers from ADHD, this work is helpful for regaining focus and control over the events of everyday.

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