Book Review: ADHD is Awesome: A Guide to (Mostly) Thriving with ADHD

Book Review
ADHD is Awesome: A Guide to (Mostly) Thriving with ADHD by Penn and Kim Holderness

You may be familiar with Penn and Kim Holderness from their videos on social media, their podcast, or their big win on The Amazing Race.  These award-winning content creators are also big supporters of mental health.  Kim has been open about her struggles with anxiety, and Penn is a proud individual with ADHD.  They recently published a book that is a nice mix of information about ADHD, strategies (for both the person with ADHD as well as their friends and family), and encouragement and support.  

Although neither Penn nor Kim are psychologists or researchers, this book is comprehensive and well researched.  In fact, Dr. Edward Hallowell (of the famous book, “Driven to Distraction” fame), wrote in the foreword:  …They are the best kind of experts.  They have not studied ADHD; they have lived it.  They know this condition from the inside out.  They wrote this account out of a passionate desire for the rest of the world to understand what ADHD is and what it is not.  Starting with one of the best brief summaries of this widely misunderstood condition I’ve ever read (and I’ve read hundreds), Penn and Kim take you by the hand and walk you through the ins and outs and ups and downs of living with ADHD.”

Besides the information, history, and strategies provided in this book, it does a great job at working against the stigma.  In fact, Dr. Hallowell has said, “The biggest need right now is not more science- although we always need to advance that- it’s PR.  It’s changing the image, getting rid of stigma, and spreading the success stories.”  Penn and Kim do this seamlessly by injecting humor into what are sometimes real-life frustrations and pinch points.  They are open, honest, and take responsibility for things that they wish they had done differently.  The book also gives support and strategies for loved ones of individuals with ADHD- this is an area that is often overlooked (but it is also very common for these loved ones to find their way into psychotherapy in order to learn skills and strategies, but also gain perspective and validation into their experiences).

Chapters include great topics, such as:

• ADHD 101

• The Emotional Side of ADHD

• You’re Going to Be Okay

• The ADHD Upsides for You

• The ADHD Upsides for Others

• Master Your Daily Routine

• How to Be an ADHD Whisperer (Like Kim!)

• Parents and Caretakers, You Make All the Difference (No Pressure!)

• Taking Care of Caregivers

Definitely check out this book!