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ADHD books can offer helpful information about what it is, how to cope, and how to support your loved ones.

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You want to learn more about attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). You’re looking for tips on how to improve your focus. You’re interested in supporting a loved one who lives with this mental health condition.

Whether you have a diagnosis or know someone who does, ADHD books can help you accomplish all of these goals and more.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common mental health condition affecting impulsivity, inattentiveness, and hyperactivity in adults and children worldwide.

Between 2% and 7% of people worldwide live with ADHD. An additional 5% may have symptoms but not severe enough to be diagnosed. In the United States, data from 2016 suggests that 9.4% of children have been diagnosed with ADHD.

People living with ADHD can experience difficulty with:

Learning about the many ways ADHD impacts those who live with it can help you manage your symptoms and begin thriving in life.

With so many books to choose from, we carefully selected the best ADHD books for adults, parents, and kids based on the following criteria:

  • reader reviews
  • consistently high ratings
  • author qualifications
  • pricing and accessibility
  • recommendations from people with ADHD

A note on price

General price ranges with dollar signs ($ to $$) are indicated below. One dollar sign means the product is lower-priced, whereas two dollar signs indicate a higher price range.

Prices for the physical format, most commonly paperback, were used for the price comparison. Most of the books also have Kindle and audio editions, which may slightly increase or decrease the price.

Pricing guide:

  • $ = under or at $15
  • $$ = over $15
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Best for general ADHD information

Driven to Distraction

  • Price: $
  • Formats: paperback, hardcover, Kindle, audio CD

With over 1 million copies sold, “Driven to Distraction” is one of the most popular ADHD books on the market. Co-authors Edward M. Hallowell, MD, and John J. Ratey, MD, both work in psychiatry and live with ADHD, so they understand the condition from clinical and personal perspectives.

This comprehensive book features:

It’s a great beginner’s book for people diagnosed and those wanting to offer support.

What we like

  • This is a comprehensive read for anyone interested in learning about ADHD.
  • Hallowell is a psychiatrist and Ratey is the associate clinical professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School.
  • Both authors live with the condition.

Best for kids

Thriving with ADHD Workbook for Kids

  • Price: $
  • Formats: paperback, Kindle, spiral-bound

This ADHD workbook for kids was created by psychotherapist Kelli Miller, LCSW, MSW. It’s full of kid-friendly information and activities specifically designed to help children with ADHD between the ages of 7 to 12 years play, learn, and interact better.

Miller’s workbook is positive, empowering, and engaging. Many parents give it five stars and say that it helped set up their child for success. They also say their kids finished the book quickly, which can be a big task for those who have a hard time focusing.

What we like

  • It’s written by a psychotherapist.
  • There are fun exercises and coping strategies for kids with ADHD.
  • It’s highly reviewed and recommended by other mental health professionals.

Best for teens

Thriving with ADHD Workbook for Teens

  • Price: $
  • Formats: paperback, Kindle

“Thriving with ADHD Workbook for Teens” is written by Allison Tyler, LCSW, who specializes in treating ADHD in children, adolescents, and adults. She’s also the parent of a child with ADHD.

This workbook is great for people between the ages of 12 and 17 who keep losing things, have a tough time doing homework, or want to learn how to succeed with ADHD. It features tips and exercises to help teens better navigate school, friendships, and life, and it offers helpful resources for parents.

What we like

  • The author specializes in treating ADHD and has a child with ADHD, too.
  • This workbook offers tips for managing ADHD at school and life outside the classroom.
  • It’s great for teens and parents of teens with ADHD.

Best for adults

You Mean I’m not Lazy, Stupid, or Crazy?!

  • Price: $
  • Formats: paperback, hardcover, Kindle, audiobook

If you have ADHD, then you might’ve thought you were just “lazy,” “stupid,” or “crazy” before receiving your diagnosis. That’s why this ADHD book for adults is so cleverly named (because you’re not any of those things, even if it sometimes feels that way).

This self-help book covers all the bases — from ADHD’s impact on gender and sexuality to eating, dating, and working with the condition. Whether you want to improve your relationships, learn how to achieve balance, or learn different treatment options, this bestseller could be a great read for you.

What we like

  • The chapters cover many different parts of living with ADHD.
  • Both authors have extensive experience working with adult ADHD.

What to look out for

  • The book is very long (480 pages).

Best for women

A Radical Guide for Women with ADHD

  • Price: $$
  • Formats: paperback, Kindle, audiobook, audio CD

According to Hallowell, co-author of the bestseller “Driven to Distraction” (listed above), psychotherapist Sari Solden, MS, is a pioneer for research on ADHD and women. “A Radical Guide for Women with ADHD” is one of her many highly acclaimed ADHD books for women.

In this self-guided workbook, she helps women unravel shame and break boundaries they may face due to ADHD. The chapters offer engaging self-reflection exercises and inspirational words to educate, empower, and uplift women who live with the condition.

What we like

  • It’s specifically focuses on women.
  • There’s a nice mix of reflection questions and expert insight.
  • The workbook is highly recommended by therapists and other mental health professionals.

Best for navigating relationships

ADHD & Us

  • Price: $
  • Formats: paperback, Kindle, audiobook

Anita Robertson, LCSW, has spent years working with individuals and couples with ADHD. In “ADHD & Us,” she compiles her tips, tricks, and insights on navigating relationships as someone who has ADHD or loves someone who does.

With the help of this book, you can learn to overcome common dating challenges due to ADHD and improve your communication skills to start building happier, healthier relationships. It’s also a great resource guide for anyone new to or interested in dating a partner with ADHD.

What we like

  • It’s helpful for people living with ADHD and their partners who want to support them.
  • It’s great for new or existing partners of folks with ADHD.
  • There are helpful exercises for couples to complete.

Best for learning about treatments

Finally Focused

  • Price: $$
  • Formats: paperback, Kindle, audiobook, audio CD

Prescription medication is one of the most common treatments for ADHD. But there are other, more natural, and effective treatment options available as well.

In his book “Finally Focused,” integrative medicine expert James Greenblatt, MD, outlines some of these alternatives based on his experience treating patients with ADHD. He highlights the root causes of common ADHD symptoms and offers holistic ways to overcome difficulties with sleep, nutrition, hyperactivity, and more.

What we like

  • This book offers various science-backed natural remedies for ADHD.
  • It’s tailored to adults with ADHD and parents of kids with ADHD.

What to look out for

  • It’s essential to always do your research and speak with a doctor before trying new supplements.

Best for learning new skills

ADHD 2.0

  • Price: $$
  • Formats: paperback, hardcover, Kindle, audiobook

“ADHD 2.0” is another classic written by Hallowell and Ratey. While “Driven to Distraction” is an explainer all about ADHD, this book focuses on ways to thrive while living with the condition.

The co-authors offer tips for beating distractions that can prevent you from working, learning, and living to your fullest potential. “ADHD 2.0” will teach you how your brain works and help you figure out which treatment options might help you succeed.

What we like

  • It’s written by ADHD experts and co-authors Hallowell and Ratey.
  • There’s an optimistic tone to this book that emphasizes thriving with ADHD is possible.

ADD vs. ADHD

ADD is considered an outdated term, but it’s often used interchangeably with ADHD. It more accurately describes inattentive ADHD, a specific type of the condition.

You can learn more about the difference between ADD and ADHD in this article.

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Best for supporting a loved one with ADHD

Is It You, Me, or Adult A.D.D.?

  • Price: $$
  • Formats: paperback, Kindle, audiobook, audio CD

Being in a relationship with someone who has ADHD can be challenging if you don’t know much about the condition. Learning what it is and how to support a loved one who has it can significantly improve your relationship and deepen your connection.

“Is It You, Me, or ADHD?” is meant to help partners without ADHD become more supportive and compassionate for their loved one who lives with ADHD. In this book, you’ll learn how the condition might impact your partner and tips for navigating the unique challenges that may pop up during your time together.

What we like

  • Author Gina Pera is an expert on ADHD and relationships.
  • This book is great for people who are dating or married to someone with ADHD.

No research suggests ADHD books can treat or relieve symptoms associated with the condition.

But online reviews by people with ADHD, therapists, and parents indicate that reading self-help books can be helpful to understand and manage the condition.

Though we tried to put together a comprehensive list of ADHD books tailored to different populations, it’s, of course, possible that you didn’t quite find what you were looking for.

When searching for a book that meets your needs, we recommend considering the following:

  • Type of book: What kind of book would you find most engaging? Are you looking for a self-help book, a memoir, or an overview?
  • Audience: Who will read the book? Do you live with ADHD yourself and are looking for yourself, or do you want to educate yourself to help a child, teen, or adult living with the condition?
  • Author credentials: We recommend looking for books written by people with extensive experience with ADHD, either as mental health professionals, people living with the condition, or both.
  • Recommendations: Reader reviews are a good place to begin, but if you’re working with a mental health professional or are part of a support group, consider asking for book recommendations.

ADHD books are a great way to learn more about ADHD, how to cope, and how to support people in your life who live with the condition.

But if you, your child, or your partner are having difficulty functioning every day as a result of ADHD, consider speaking with a mental health professional instead of reading a self-help book.