Synopses & Reviews
Do you rule the realm of disorganization, clutter, and chaos? Are you constantly battling to get things done? Are you ready to give up and toss your day planner into the dungeon (otherwise known as your closet)? If so, you might just be The Queen of Distraction. And whether or not youve been formally diagnosed with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), you probably already know that somethings got to give. The Queen of Distraction presents practical skills to help women with ADHD achieve focus and balance in all areas of life, whether its at home, at work, or in relationships. Psychotherapist Terry Matlen delves into the feminine side of ADHDthe elements of this condition that are particular to women, such as: relationships, skin sensitivities, meal-planning, parenting, and dealing with out-of-control hormones. In addition, the book offers helpful tips and strategies to get your symptoms under control, and outlines a number of effective treatment options for you to pursue. From getting dressed in the morning, to making it to a job interview, to planning dinnersometimes just getting through the day can be an ordeal for a woman with ADHD. If youve been accused of getting lost in your own world, maybe its time to make a change. If youre ready to start getting organized and stop leaving your groceries in the car, this book can help. Its more than just a survival guide; its an ADHD how-to to help you thrive!
Review
"With great wisdom and humor, Kessler shows what was going on in there before her ADHD diagnosis, and what remarkable changes happened after. ADHD According to Zoë is full of stories you'll recognize, insights, and great Try this! ideas readers can apply to their own lives. Dont miss it if youre still grappling with the What the heck was that?! aspects of ADHD!"
Melissa Orlov, author of the award-winning The ADHD Effect on Marriage
Review
"ADHD According to Zoë is a must-read for any woman with ADD or ADHD. Kessler skillfully does what few authors have done for ADHDshe combines great storytelling with accurate facts about the condition. She brings ADHD to life in a real way, and dares to talk about topics that most doctors would shudder to write about. This book will educate you, entertain you, and most importantly, enlighten you about how to live well with the unique brain wiring that is ADHD."
Kenny Handelman, MD, psychiatrist, ADHD expert, and author of Attention Difference Disorder
Review
"ADHD often leaves women living in shame and isolation, without hope and a fear of being found out. These are the greatest hurdles for women with ADHD. Kessler courageously and openly shares her story in an authentic and authoritative voice. This book is a must-read for anyone with ADHD who wants to end their own internal shame and blame and find understanding, comfort, and hope in their ADHD journey. You are NOT alone! Thank you Zoë!"
Nancy A. Ratey, EdM, strategic life coach and author of The Disorganized Mind
Review
"ADHD According to Zoë kept me spellbound from the first page to the last. Reading more like a novel than a self-help book, Kesslers words pull the reader in as we follow her ADHD escapades, from embarrassing blunders at social events to playing air guitar in the middle of the street. Think Pippi Longstocking all grown up! Yet, she awards the readers not only with her humor, but with the life lessons she shares as a woman living with ADHD. I'll be recommending this one to my clients!"
Terry Matlen, MSW, ACSW, nationally recognized authority specializing in women with ADHD, author of Survival Tips for Women with ADHD, and founder of addconsults.com
Review
Blake Taylor's book, ADHD and Me, is stereotype-busting from the outset. How can a whirlwind of a boy, now young man, like Blake, write such a lucid, disclosing, revealing, and, above all, insightful book? The book blends extremely personal descriptions of situations, binds, conflicts, and realities, some humorous and some deadly serious, with extremely useful practical information on how to cope with and overcome the often-devastating symptoms and impairments related to ADHD. Most of all, the book serves to humanize a label and a condition that are too frequently viewed with skepticism and even derision. This is a must-read for people of all ages who are concerned with ADHD, mental illness, treatment, coping, and stigma.
—Stephen P. Hinshaw, professor and chair of the Department of Psychology at the University of California, Berkeley
Review
Taylor offers readers an inside look at how he gets along on a daily basis as well as a guide for people in the same situation … Students struggling with ADHD and their parents will benefit from the author’s insights.
—Library Journal, 15 November 2007
Review
Taylor speaks to fellow teens and their families with an authority few experts can muster.
—Publishers Weekly, 17 November 2007
Review
The Queen of Distraction strikes gold! It is the mother lode of wisdom, practical nuggets, humor, and insight. Terry Matlen is a true veteran of the ADHD saga. This book is authoritative, yet warm; up-to-date, yet timeless. Terrys masterful guide will help you feel less stressed, more successful, and happier in pursuit of your goals. I recommend it most highly.”
Edward Hallowell, MD, coauthor of Driven to Distraction and Delivered from Distraction
Review
The Queen of Distraction is an oasis of acceptance and practical ideas for women with ADHDcompassionate and approachable.”
Melissa Orlov, author of The Couple's Guide to Thriving with ADHD
Review
As a woman who suffers from ADHD herself, Matlen has personally walked the talk. Professionally, shes worked with countless others with adult ADHD through her coaching and consulting practice. Matlens new book serves as an ADHD primer and introduction to all things ADHD. Keep it by your bedside, handy for when you feel low, confused, or alone. Terrys warm, knowledgeable voice will shine through like a beacon, guiding you with a voice that is supportive and accepting, knowledgeable and practical. Use it as a roadmap and companion as you navigate your journey with adult ADHD.”
Zoë Kessler, BA, BEd, author of ADHD According to Zoë
Review
Terry has done an exceptional job bringing together what is known about the science of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults as it applies specifically to women, making it live with numerous case examples of women with ADHD telling their own personal stories, and chock-full of sound advice for how to manage the symptoms, deficits, and impairments that are often associated with this disorder in adults. It is among the best and certainly the most current book on the topic of women with ADHD and will be exceptionally valuable to not only women with the disorder but those wishing to better understand it. It is certainly a must-read for therapists and coaches who assist such women through their practices.”
Russell A. Barkley, PhD, clinical professor of psychiatry and pediatrics at Medical University of South Carolina, RussellBarkley.org and ADHDLectures.com
Review
The Queen of Distraction is a must-read book for understanding how to deal with all the critical problems women with ADHD face daily. It is an appealing, practical, and easy-to read book written with insight, humor, and honesty. The real-life stories and examples provide the optimism and motivation to use the work/life tips to overcome ADHD-related challenges. Matlen provides a gift to women with ADHD. If the goal is managing difficulties such as transitions, clutter, time, emotions, relationships, or parenting, then Matlen provides a critical guide to greater productivity and life satisfaction.”
Geraldine Markel, PhD
Review
Terry Matlen has learned the hard way how to live a good life with ADHD. Fortunately for her readers, she is smart and funny enough that they can benefit from her experience and wisdom. She does an excellent job of explaining how ADHD impacts the specific demands women face today and offering solutions to make their lives better. This book will make your life easieryou need it!”
Ari Tuckman, PsyD, MBA, author of Understand Your Brain, Get More Done; More Attention, Less Deficit; and Integrative Treatment for Adult ADHD
Review
Like most of my colleagues, I read each ADHD book that comes out, comparing the usefulness of one to the other. Terry Matlen has hit it out of the ballpark with this one. From the unique and relatable cover, which hints at humor, yet promises content, Ms. Matlen delivers to the reader a most thorough and
helpful handbook for living inside a female, ADHD body (my personal favorite chapter: Clothing Loathing). Not only does this book lighten the guilt of how we all feel in our clutter, chaos, and lack of measuring up to Sally Struthers next door, it also takes each symptom and breaks it down into practical, easy steps to living a more productive and
comfortable life! What a concept! Bravo to Matlen for this treasure, which will no doubt become the most worn-out book in any womans ADHD library.”
Wilma Fellman, MEd, LPC, career counselor, ADHD coach and trainer, and author of Finding a Career That Works for You and The Other Me: Poetic Thoughts on ADD for Adults, Kids and Parents
Review
Terry Matlen gives the royal treatment to the topic of women with ADHD in her new book,
The Queen of Distraction. Weaving together a combination of stories from her professional work and her own experience of living with ADHD, Matlen takes readers through all the struggles confronted by women with ADHD in todays world and provides useful coping tips for tackling them. Whether you are a woman with ADHD or you want to understand the impact of ADHD on the life of your mother, sister, daughter, partner, or any other woman in your life, this book is for you.”
J. Russell Ramsay, PhD, associate professor of clinical psychology in psychiatry, codirector of the Adult ADHD Treatment and Research Program at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, and author of The Adult ADHD Tool Kit
Review
Many books offer advice to adults with ADHD about how they might cope more effectively with difficulties of daily life. This book is unique in its empathic understanding of emotional needs and stresses of women with ADHD who struggle to manage the complex demands of their daily life. It offers many very practical suggestions from an understanding friend who has been there and has learned from her experience.”
Thomas E. Brown, PhD, associate director, Yale Clinic for Attention and Related Disorders, Yale University School of Medicine, and author of Smart but Stuck: Emotions in Teens and Adults with ADHD
Review
Its a fact! Women with ADHD are overwhelmed and hurting. Dial 911 and along comes Terry Matlens
The Queen of Distraction to the rescue, offering a prescription to help these women overcome chaos, clutter, and other everyday challenges. Like a skilled surgeon, Matlen cuts to the core of the problem and offers relief. I would recommend this book to every woman with ADHD. It doesnt matter whether she has an acute issue needing immediate attention or a chronic problem, is newly diagnosed or an old timer looking for practical tips: help can be found within these pages.”
Patricia O. Quinn, MD, Center for Girls and Women with ADHD, Washington, DC
Synopsis
In this unique and engaging memoir, journalist and popular blogger Zoë Kessler shares her own story of being diagnosed with ADHD in her late 40s. Throughout the book she offers readers key coping skills based on her experience; skills that can help readers focus their energy, become more organized, and boost their self-esteem while tapping into creativity and humor.
Synopsis
Like many women with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), journalist and popular blogger Zoë Kessler was diagnosed late in lifewell into adulthood, in fact. But instead of seeing this label as a burden to bear, Kessler decided to use it to gain a better understanding of herself, and to connect with others through her writing.
In this unique and engaging memoir, Kessler shares her own stories of living with ADHD in a way that is relatable, but never predictable. Inside, she describes how her impulsive behavior has affected her love life; how being disorganized once stood in the way of landing a job; and how inattentiveness has caused certain challenges in her relationships. Kessler also offers key coping skills based on her experience; skills that you can use to focus your energy, become more organized, and boost your self-esteem while tapping into creativity and humor.
Kesslers story illustrates how being diagnosed with ADHD late into adulthood can be bewildering, but it also shows what a great opportunity it can be to take stock of your life and make real, lasting changes. Whether you share her diagnosis of ADHD, or just like a good story, ADHD According to Zoë will inspire you and encourage you to embrace your quirks.
For more information about Kessler and her work, please visit www.zoekessler.com
Synopsis
From an attempt to hurl his infant sister off the edge of a table to being lashed down to a dining room chair by an irate babysitter, the stories from Blake Taylor's life with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are at times hilarious, tragic, and instructive. This eminently readable memoir sheds light on what it's like for a young person to grow up with, suffer from, and ultimately learn to live with this common condition.
Synopsis
Blake Taylor's mother first suspected he had ADHD when he, at only three years of age, tried to push his infant sister in her carrier off the kitchen table. As time went by, Blake developed a reputation for being hyperactive and impulsive. He launched rockets (accidentally) into neighbor's swimming pools and set off alarms in museums. Blake was diagnosed formally with ADHD when he was five years old. In ADHD and Me, he tells about the next twelve years as he learns to live with both the good and bad sides of life with ADHD.
Blake's memoir offers, for the first time, a young person's account of what it's like to live and grow up with this common condition. Join Blake as he foils bullies, confronts unfair teachers, struggles with distraction and disorganization on exams, and goes sailing out-of-bounds and ends up with a boatload of spiders. It will be an inspiration and companion to the thousands of others like him who must find a way to thrive with a different perspective than many of us. The book features an introduction by psychologist Lara Honos-Webb, author of The Gift of ADHD, and a leading advocate for kids with ADHD.
Synopsis
From getting dressed in the morning, to making it to a job interview, to planning dinnersometimes just getting through the day can be an ordeal for a woman with ADHD. The Queen of Distraction presents practical skills to help women with ADHD achieve focus and balance in all areas of life, whether its at home, at work, or in relationships. More than just a survival guide, this book will help women with ADHD thrive.
About the Author
Terry Matlen, MSW, is a psychotherapist, consultant, writer, and coach. She is the author of Survival Tips for Women with ADHD and founder of addconsults.com. Matlen has been interviewed by National Public Radio, the Wall Street Journal, Time Magazine, the New York Times, US News and World Report, Newsday, Today, CBS This Morning, The Jane Pauley Show, Ladies' Home Journal, Glamour, and others.Sari Solden, MS, LMFT, is a psychotherapist and consultant in Ann Arbor, Michigan, who has counseled adults with ADHD for over twenty-five years. She is the author of the pioneering books Women with Attention Deficit Disorder and Journeys Through ADDulthood, as well as a prominent keynote speaker at national and international ADHD conferences. She serves on the professional advisory board of the National Association for Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADDA) and was a past recipient of their award for outstanding service by a helping professional. Solden's areas of specialization include women's issues, inattentive ADHD, and the emotional consequences and healing process for adults who grew up with undiagnosed ADHD.