Sara Kelly’s meticulously presented book opens with a compelling preface. Following years of assuming that the overwhelming struggles she endured to maintain an outwardly successful life were due to a personality flaw, she received an ADHD diagnosis as an adult and initially felt immense relief.
Written with passion and lucidity, THE ADHD AWAKENING: A Woman’s Guide to Thriving After Diagnosis combines her remarkable insight as someone with ADHD and her work as an ADHD coach. The result lends a deeply personal gloss to her words while maintaining focused objectivity and professionalism. Kelly’s voice is warm and reassuring without being indulgent, as she writes in the preface, “I want these pages to be more than just words. I want them to be a mirror that helps you see yourself clearly, maybe for the first time.” She tells her story, recounting everything from her struggles as a young child to the breakdown of her marriage while filtering these memories through the lens of ADHD. Kelly is a gifted writer, as these early chapters are movingly written and absorbing to read.
Through her revealing backstory, Kelly examines different symptoms and challenges of undiagnosed ADHD. The general weaves with the specific, addressing the reader with straightforward candor and empathy. Once diagnosed, Kelly sought to educate herself, thoroughly researching and understanding the condition. Interleaved with the science are the individual stories of numerous women Kelly spoke to. She discusses each account in detail, layering her intrinsic knowledge with factual evidence.
Through this highly comprehensive but relatable framework, the author provides an in-depth analysis of the ADHD journey following diagnosis—examining executive dysfunction, rejection sensitivity, emotional dysregulation, and masking tactics. She discusses these symptoms and the resulting crippling anxiety, emotional flooding, and social confusion. Additionally, she considers the exhausting drive toward perceived perfectionism, along with the psychological effort to stay focused, culminating in relentless self-criticism (and often burnout).
The holistic approach is enlightening and fascinating. Despite the book’s weighty themes, Kelly has structured her chapters with consideration: titling, sub-headings, and bullet points clarify, consolidate, and ensure her information is both accessible and inclusive.
After her detailed breakdown of the different aspects of ADHD, she proposes a variety of simple yet effective techniques. These include self-soothing rituals and practical solutions to shift long-term perspectives, successfully manage ADHD moving forward, and achieve optimal performance from a unique condition with extraordinary traits. For women who have been diagnosed with ADHD late in life, Kelly’s book proves indispensable.
Written by Sara Kelly, THE ADHD AWAKENING: A Woman’s Guide to Thriving After Diagnosis is an invaluable companion guide and essential toolkit for women navigating late-diagnosis ADHD, as well as those who live and work alongside them.
~ Rose Auburn for IndieReader