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Being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult can come as a huge relief. After years of wondering why things don’t work out as planned, knowing there might be a neurological reason can be highly validating.
But after that sense of relief has worn off, often comes the question, “Now what do I do?” It’s after a diagnosis of ADHD that the real work begins and Tuckman’s book is a good place to start that process.
Tuckman says, “The more you know about ADHD, the better off you will be…” and as a psychologist specialising in working with adults with ADHD, he has written this book to offer that foundation of knowledge that the ADHDer needs.
There’s a dizzying number of books now available to help the ADHD adult learn about this disorder. However, More Attention, Less Deficit offers a thorough, direct and complete overview.
The book is written to be ADHD user-friendly. It’s designed to be dipped into as needed, by topic, rather than read front to back.
Tuckman explains what ADHD is and how it can complicate just about every aspect of life from a personal level to work or career, meeting household responsibilities and intimate relationships.
He covers the question of treatment including the use of ADHD medication as well as other non-medical ways to approach treating ADHD, including working with a coach who specialises in ADHD issues.
Next to having a good grasp of what ADHD is, the use of strategies for working around ADHD challenges is most essential. Tuckman covers the most useful ones, how to make those strategies suit the individual and importantly, how to help other household members get on board with new strategies.
Tuckman is honest but doesn’t sugar-coat the matter. He has seen countless individuals through his practice whose lives are troubled by ADHD, so he doesn’t have a lot to say about the up-side or the “gifts” of ADHD.
ADHD may not be curable but with knowledge and use of strategies to suit the individual it can cease to feel like a deficit and more like simply a difference or even—dare we say it—a gift!
For the ADHD adult who wants to get to know ADHD and him/herself as quickly and directly as possible, this book is a good bet.
Reviewed by Brett Harrington, ADHD Association board member
(The ADHD Association has a library, which is free to use for association members.)