Extra Focus: The Quick Start Guide to Adult ADHD

Software developer Anderson debuts with a pragmatic guide to help adults with ADHD harness their unique skills and understand the thought patterns underpinning them. After reviewing ADHD types, traits, and presentations, Anderson goes on to outline how “body doubling”—working in the presence of another person—aids productivity, and how changing one’s environment stokes motivation. Readers are also encouraged to draft a list of “personal wins” to combat the “success amnesia” that can plague those with ADHD, who are often sensitive to rejection and likelier to focus more on negative experiences than positive ones. Anderson’s lifelong struggle with “chronic lateness” underpins his advice to keep a “log” of one’s travel times in order to plan better in the future. Elsewhere, he repackages common wisdom into catchy takeaways (for example, readers should “eat the ice cream first,” or start with easier tasks to “build up your motivation momentum” before tackling challenging ones). While the general overview sections are light on the science of ADHD, Anderson’s take your pick, low-stakes approach (readers should seek strategies that work for now and switch them up frequently) will appeal to those looking to simplify their day-to-day lives. Newly diagnosed readers in particular will find this a useful starting point. (Self-published)