A Feminist's Guide to ADHD

How women can thrive and find focus in a world built for men

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Pub Date Oct 08 2024 | Archive Date Oct 01 2024

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Description

An empowering, feminist guide to understanding and managing ADHD for women, written by a popular millennial doctor with ADHD.

ADHD affects women in unique ways. Discover how to deal with it – and how to thrive – in this empowering guide.

Whether you have received a late diagnosis, a misdiagnosis – or even no diagnosis at all but think this might apply to you – experienced coach Dr Janina Maschke offers guidance and support to all women and girls impacted by ADHD. As well as featuring the latest research, personal case-studies and practical exercises, this book gives you tips on thriving with ADHD and embracing neurodiversity.

You will learn:

  • the role of gender in understanding ADHD
  • the challenges of diagnosing women
  • the differences between the subtypes
  • the role of hormones in treating symptoms
  • common co-existing conditions
  • tools for thriving with ADHD.

Whether you’re seeking information pre-diagnosis or looking to manage your symptoms, this is a must-read for all women impacted by ADHD.
An empowering, feminist guide to understanding and managing ADHD for women, written by a popular millennial doctor with ADHD.

ADHD affects women in unique ways. Discover how to deal with it – and how...

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ISBN 9781786788788
PRICE $16.95 (USD)
PAGES 240

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Average rating from 82 members


Featured Reviews

This is a really powerful, timely, informative and much needed book for women and girls with ADHD. There is a massive gender disparity in how ADHD is recognised, reported, researched and supported as this book makes clear. It goes into great detail, in every stage of a female lifespan, about how ADHD may present and interact with that time, hormones, and societal pressures. I valued the resources presented alongside each section as well as how it linked back to published, peer-reviewed research. The chapters were accessible and easy to dip in and out of due to clear headings as well as structures. I really liked the 'key take away message' at the end of each chapter as a summary so it didn't feel overwhelming.

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This book was such a good summary of ADHD and highlights the struggles of being a female with ADHD so well. Through getting a diagnosis to coping with ADHD as a female, this book was such an informative and helpful guide.

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From someone who isn’t diagnosed but strongly suspects they are ADHD this book gives answers. I work within a school setting and found it gave me some very useful knowledge. Very informative and well worth a read!

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A look into ADHD in women and how it may be different. This isn’t my favorite of the ones on ADHD in women I’ve read recently, but it was still good and informative. There were a lot of case studies, which wasn’t as much for me, but others might like them!

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I consider myself well-informed and up-to-date about ADHD and ADHD in women, both on a personal interest and a professional-expertise level, and I have read a lot on the topic; this is certainly one of the best books out there about ADHD and specifically, ADHD in women.

It is rare that a book on the topic leaves me fully satisfied because many well-intended books fail to achieve what this book offers.

I recommend this to all parents, women with ADHD, feminists, all women with ADHD, employers, P&C people, educators, recruiters, everyone, really.

First of all, the content covers a wide range of topics with right amount of details. It is an all-you-need-to-know book that has great tips, advice, techniques and advice. It also has the writer’s insights and case studies as examples.

Second of all, the information and advice are supported with the up-to-date, relevant and accurate scientific research. The argument is persuasive, friendly and informative.

Thirdly, the structure of the book is wonderful, and the style is engaging. I am unsure if the font chosen is the final one for print, but I hope it is.

This book is for everyone, no matter how informed they are or not about ADHD and ADHD in women. It is indeed a feminist book and addresses a much needed conversation. I will be purchasing this, recommending it, gifting it and reading the writer’s other work. I hope they continue writing.

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I'm always wanting to learn more about ADHD, but especially books that focus on how it affects women. What a lot of people might not understand is that ADHD is so different for women than it is for men, and the medical community had largely not caught up to this. This book is fantastic in explaning ADHD and women and the issues we face. The author delves into case studies, symptoms, lifestyles, challenges, coexisting conditions, and advice to help those who deal with ADHD. This is so informative and must read for women with ADHD.

Thank you to NetGalley, Janina Maschke, and Watkins Publishing for an eARC of this book.

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A short book with a lovely attitude! There are many subjects talked about, from the misdiagnosis and characteristics of ADHD, all the way to the interplay between hormones and ADHD at various ages, and the comorbidities which occur most often. I appreciated the list of references included with each chapter, and the many case studies. I wish the book also included the relationship between ADHD and other neurodivergent conditions, as well as the link to hypermobility. Perhaps there will be a second part sometime!

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This is a great resource! Everything in one spot that you can easily reference again and again! I highly recommend this to anyone wanting to learn more about ADHD and how to navigate It.

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This was a super informative book, and I really enjoyed learning more about the intersection of gender and neurodivergence, particularly as it applies to women with ADHD.

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As someone diagnosed later in life with ADHD, A Feminist's Guide to ADHD is the guide I wish I had years ago so that I could realize there wasn't anything wrong with me. This guide goes over how gender plays a role in symptoms of ADHD, diagnosing ADHD, how ADHD can be treated, and gives tips and for managing it. The information was informative and easy to follow for me. I read it in a span of a few days and it was easy for me to pick up and start again each time.

The part that really stuck out to me was how the different subtypes of ADHD because as someone with ADHD that presents itself differently from the authors, it was great to still see myself in this book. Since being diagnosed, I've done my own research and have felt "seen" in different places, but this guide seems to have it all- the connection to depression and anxiety, different therapies that may be helpful, masking and the downfalls it can play in relationships with others. I can definitely see myself referring this book again and again as I need it and will be suggesting it to my fellow neuro- diverse friends.

Thank you to NetGalley and Watkins Publishing for an advanced copy of the ebook in exchange for an honest review!

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Thank you for the opportunity to review this book!

As someone going through the process of getting an ADHD diagnosis, I have been trying to learn more about this subject, and especially how it affects women specifically. I enjoyed this book, it was structured very well and contained a lot of useful information that someone could put into practise. It was also very interesting to learn more about how hormones play a role in ADHD, and another thing to consider as a women, when symptoms may get worse or better during your cycle. Books like this really help raise the awareness of the different experiences of women with ADHD!

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I was diagnosed with ADHD as a kid when I started failing elementary school and I was lucky enough to have a pshychologist as a parent to help me out get through it and even graduated from an Ivy League.

As a grown woman I have noticed a lot of things get more complicated with age and this book had the answers I needed.

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Janina Maschke’s “A Feminist’s Guide to ADHD” is a groundbreaking and empowering exploration of ADHD through a feminist lens. The author deftly combines personal narrative, scientific research, and feminist theory to shed light on the unique challenges and experiences faced by women with ADHD.

Maschke’s writing is both insightful and accessible, making complex concepts easy to understand. She offers a fresh perspective on ADHD, highlighting how gender biases in diagnosis and treatment have historically marginalized women. This book not only educates but also validates the experiences of women who have often felt misunderstood or overlooked.

One of the standout features of this guide is its practical advice and strategies for managing ADHD. Maschke provides readers with tools and techniques that are specifically tailored to the needs of women, considering the intersection of gender and neurodiversity. Her compassionate approach encourages self-acceptance and empowerment, making this book a valuable resource for anyone navigating life with ADHD.

Overall, “A Feminist’s Guide to ADHD” is a must-read for women with ADHD, their loved ones, and professionals in the field. Janina Maschke has crafted a thoughtful, informative, and inspiring guide that is sure to make a significant impact.

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The Feminist's Guide to ADHD" is like having a supportive friend who really gets what you're going through. While some parts might feel a bit technical, the book is packed with eye-opening explanations about why women with ADHD experience things the way they do. What's really cool is how it shares relatable stories of other women, showing you're not alone in this journey. Plus, it's loaded with practical tips to help you manage ADHD better in your daily life. Overall, it's like having a helpful buddy by your side, cheering you on as you navigate ADHD with confidence.

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Great book for understanding adult ADHD! This book should be a must read for any adult female with ADHD. The author is extremely knowledgable with this condition and I learned so much that will help me in my adult life. I especially appreciated the resources listed at the end.

Thank you to Netgalley and Watkins Publishing for this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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I'm a special educator and a woman who was diagnosed with ADHD in my early 30s. As so many of my friend groups feel as if they're falling apart in this world (particularly after having kids), more and more are getting diagnosed with ADHD. With so many added demands, our learned coping strategies just weren't working anymore. For so long, we were seen as "flighty." This was an amazing read and one I encourage all others to read, as well.

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Thanks kindly to NetGalley and Watkins Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Dr Janina Maschke's A Feminist's Guide to ADHD goes a long way towards highlighting femme/women's experiences of ADHD and how they may diverge from the current paradigm, with much research to date focusing on the experiences of boys and men.

Personally I found the earlier chapters that provided context and background on the topic more insightful and useful, than the tools included towards the back.

As an AFAB genderfluid person, many experiences in the book resonated with me, though I felt the language could improve to be more inclusive towards some trans and gender diverse folks. The book's subtitle is probably a more accurate reflection of its content than the main title, though I appreciate marketing plays a role in all this too.

Overall an insightful read for those interested on how we've come to our current understandings and stereotypes of ADHD and its presentations + why that's not reflective of all experiences.

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I’m very glad this book exists. It’s so refreshing to read a book that caters to the female experience in a medical area.

As someone diagnosed late in life, I appreciate what this book provides and the useful explanations and advice contained.

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A Feminist's Guide to ADHD : How women can thrive and find focus in a world built for men. This is an important book that discusses ADHD from a female perspective, showing the problems and the inequalities in this area.. As more women are being diagnosed in adulthood this book will be a useful tool and resource. It will also be a starting point for anyone who suspects they may have ADHD and might want a bit more information before seeking an official diagnosis. Overall an important book that will help many women.

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Thank you to Watkins Publishing and NetGalley for sending me an ARC in exchange for review.

4.25 stars for The Feminists Guide to ADHD

Firstly let me start with I am 100% the demographic for this book. After a lifetime or struggles and misdiagnosis and extreme but wrong medication… right before my 33rd birthday I was finally diagnosed with ADHD (4 months ago). This book deeply helped me understand. There are so many aspects of my life and personality and mind that I had no idea were caused by my ADHD and that makes me feel so peaceful and free.
The racing thoughts? The not being able to understand movies or tv without subtitles? The impulsivity? The obsession over things because I can’t trust my memory? Hyperfixation? Food issues? Mood swings? Anxiety? It has been a constant struggle but now I have an answer. Not only does this book in detail describe these things and how it’s ADHD causes them but also gives amazing advice. Not just advice on how to handle these things personally and internally but also how to advocate for yourself and ask for help/accommodation. I greatly appreciate that and plan to use some of these techniques in my daily life. I am so grateful I was given the chance to read this book as it most likely has changed my life.

One thing I will say as a strong ADHDer is that (while I don’t believe this will be an issue with the published edition) the copy I received was clearly not the final version. After a word or explanation or symptom it would say “see page (XX)” which I super struggled with. Because I felt like I needed to know what page it was on so I could remember when I got there but it’s a bit silly since I did read the entire book but every time I saw that I wanted to jump ahead.

I highlighted more in this book than I ever have before and plan to have my significant other listen as I read them so they can have a better understanding of my behavior or thought processes.


I also will most definitely be buying the finished version of this book in October for every woman in my life who has ADHD as I feel all could greatly benefit.

Thank you again so much for approving me for this advanced copy. It came to me at a time in my life when I greatly needed it.

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Thank you Netgalley and Watkins for an advanced copy of this book.

Having recently been diagnosed on my 30s, my world was turned upside down. I always knew there was something about me that did not add up, that no matter what I did, I seemed unable to achieve like my peers and keep on going at the same pace. I actually was not at the same pace, and ADHD was to blame for many of my shortcomings.

This guide is fantastic for all the women like me who were unheard, unrecognised, and misdiagnosed, cought up in the "depression" and "anxiety" loop, unable to move because that was never their issue. This is a compact yet comprehensive collection of valuable information for anyone who has been recently diagnosed or is stareting the long process into it.

I will definitely buy the physical copy, and recommend it to others.

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Easy read with lots of great info if you have ADHD or think you might. The book has lots of suggestions for strategies geared towards women specifically. It does a great job of detailing what female hormones can do to ADHD.

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Ideal for folks who have recently been diagnosed with or believe they might have ADHD. This book was informative, and I found myself nodding along to the authors story (we were even diagnosed at the same age!) The key takeaways and front of chapter headers were really helpful in keeping track of what was going on in the book, and I found it structured very well. My favorite chapter was on masking, which I hadn’t really seen previously in other books on ADHD as much. 4.25/5

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As an educator, this is unbelievable helpful when considering how such a common disorder manifests differently in girls versus boys. Definitely informative and immediately useful!

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I really enjoyed the way this book was presented. The case studies were particularly helpful and relatable for me. I appreciated that the author used smaller sections than many similar books, having ADHD sometimes makes it difficult to follow lengthy chapters. There were sections of the book I found myself heavily invested in and was able to use them to research the topic and learned a great deal about my ADHD in the process.

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"A Feminist's Guide to ADHD" is a vital resource exploring ADHD through a femme/women's lens, offering insights often overlooked in traditional ADHD literature. It covers gendered symptoms, diagnosis, treatments, and management strategies in an accessible and informative manner. This guide is essential for anyone seeking understanding and support in managing ADHD, providing valuable tools and empowering insights for neuro-diverse individuals.

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I hadn't heard of this book until I stumbled upon an ARC for it, and I am beyond glad that I did. This guide offers a refreshing and much-needed perspective on ADHD, particularly in the context of women's experiences.

Accuracy: ★★★★☆
As someone who isn't an expert on ADHD, I can't fully vouch for the book's accuracy. However, I found many similarities between myself and the content discussed. The information feels well-researched and resonates with my personal experiences, lending it credibility.

Perspective: ★★★★☆
The perspective is well-informed and essential. ADHD in women is often overlooked, and this book sheds light on the unique challenges faced by women with ADHD. Janina Maschke brings a compassionate and insightful voice to this important subject.

Relevance: ★★★★★
The topic of this book is incredibly relevant. ADHD in women is still not spoken about enough, and this guide helps bridge that gap. It’s a vital resource for understanding and addressing the gender-specific aspects of ADHD.

Engagement: ★★★★☆
The engagement of this book is great. It held my interest throughout and provided valuable insights that are both informative and relatable. The author’s writing style is engaging and accessible, making it easy to connect with the content.

Readability: ★★★★☆
The readability of this book is wonderful. The language is clear and straightforward, making complex topics easy to understand. The structure of the book is well-organized, enhancing the overall reading experience.

Enjoyment: ★★★★☆
I really enjoyed this read. It offers a balanced mix of personal anecdotes, research, and practical advice. It’s both enlightening and empowering, making it a worthwhile read for anyone interested in ADHD and women’s health.

‘A Feminist’s Guide to ADHD’ by Janina Maschke is a powerful and necessary addition to the literature on ADHD. It provides valuable insights into the often-overlooked experiences of women with ADHD, making it a must-read for those looking to understand and support women in this context. This book is engaging, informative, and highly relevant, offering a fresh perspective that is much needed in today’s world.

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A straightforward, approachable, easy to digest introduction to ADHD in women with practical guidance on how to manage.

Thank you to NetGalley, the Author, and Watkins Publishing for access to a digital ARC. All opinions are my own.

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An amazing tool for women with ADHD. I was recently diagnosed and have tried a handful of books on the subject and was only able to find information that I already knew or books that gave the “girlboss your way out of it” vibe but this one was amazing. There were so many things I identified with and tools to work with my disorder. I loved how each chapter had the key takeaways and main topics so if I zoned out a bit I could get back on track easily

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Recently I’ve been going through the diagnosing process of ADHD, which was very new to me. In this book I felt seen in my behaviors. Thank you so much to the author and net galley for this e-arc!

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This book is an excellent resource that I'd recommend to any woman who has or thinks she may have ADHD. It addresses topics such as brain chemistry, the misdiagnosis of ADHD in women, the link between hormones and ADHD and much more that otherwise might be overlooked by other generalized ADHD books. The relevant case studies supplemented the material nicely and really gave credibility to the research behind this guide. I also appreciated that the author knew her audience with the key takeaways each chapter!

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If you were diagnosed later in life with ADHD, this book is really informative and helpful. I found myself highlighting a lot of parts and sometimes entire pages. It's thorough and covers a lot of different parts of ADHD and what you might be feeling as you work through your new diagnosis.

Highly recommend to anyone looking for more information or even validation on how they have felt as a person with ADHD.

It was split up into clear chapters so you can pick and choose what to read and come back to it when you want. You could really pick it up from anywhere and start reading, it's segmented in a way that appeals to ADHD readers with a synopsis at the end of each chapter. (Love that!)

Thank you to netgalley and Watkins Publishing for an ARC to review.

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So I chose to read this because we think my 14yo daughter may have ADHD and we, like so many other parents/carers are struggling to get help. I thought this may help me to understand the condition more.

I thought this was a great book about females and ADHD and how, over the years, it has been massively overlooked in our sex compared to boys. It is so informative about absolutely everything surrounding the condition through a woman's life. It's also a bonus that the author has ADHD too.

Each chapter starts by explaining what it is going to be addressing, then at the end of each, it gives you key parts to take away and think about. The author does a good job of breaking everything down in an easy way, so as the reader, you fully understand what is being told to you. There are case studies throughout that help to understand the ways an ADHD person feels and goes about things.
Throughout this book, it covers how ADHD and hormones work with the condition. Periods, pregnancy, and even through to menopause are talked about.
The only part I struggled with was when it explained how an ADHD brain works, no fault of the author, I just found it a lot of scientific explanation that my own brain struggled to process. After a couple more times of reading this section, I would have a better understanding of it.
I loved all the coping techniques and self-help exercises there are in this book. There are so many to try if you find yourself struggling.

This is a perfect book for those who may think they either have Adhd or know someone who may have it. Or for those who have just gotten a diagnosis of the condition. It's a good starting book.

Thanks to NetGalley and Watkins Publishing for my advanced copy.
My opinions are my own.

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