How to Thrive with Adult ADHD: 7 Pillars for Focus, Productivity and Balance

I’ve just finished this book and don’t often write reviews but this has changed the game for me. After a late ADHD diagnosis at the ripe old age of 27 I decided to start researching to learn more about myself- and boy did I!! This book really validated me inside and out, things I never even considered that I’d “struggled” with before and just been normal life. I have taken on a lot of the tips and overhauled and organised my house in the space of a week after using some of the tips from the pillars. I feel like it has been the motivation the book has given me or perhaps a hyperfocus episode mixed in, but either way, this book is well worth a read for anyone with ADHD. It has cleared a lot of guilt harboured inside of me and reignited my love for reading and learning. The way it’s laid out with the pillars is also ADHD friendly as it’s chunked down so I don’t get bored as I know “just read until the black line ends”. It also has boxes and lots of bullet points- again ADHD friendly. I have given it to my family members to read to help understand me more as every page I was like yep, that’s me. Hopefully they now understand my trials and tribulations on a daily basis!!

As a professional Adult ADHD Life Coach, I am always on the lookout for valuable resources to recommend to my clients, and How to Thrive with Adult ADHD: 7 Pillars for Focus, Productivity, and Balance by Dr. James Kustow is one of the best I’ve come across. I bought both the print and Audible versions of this book, and although I’ve only just received them today, I've been listening on Audible since this morning (too good to switch off!) and I can already see the immense value in Dr. Kustow’s practical and research-based approach. The 7 Pillars framework offers clear strategies for managing the complexities of adult ADHD while fostering balance and productivity. I knew it would be great after seeing Dr. James Kushtow speak at the UKAAN conference a few years ago and my expectations have been surpassed! What sets this book apart is how it doesn’t just focus on managing symptoms but also encourages a holistic approach for thriving in both personal and professional life. Dr. Kustow’s advice aligns beautifully with the work I do, and I’m excited to see the positive impact it will have on my clients and my own approach. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or have been navigating ADHD for years, this book is a must-read. The print version is perfect for in-depth study, while the Audible version allows you to absorb the material on the go – ideal for those of us with busy ADHD brains! Highly recommended to anyone looking for practical, compassionate, and effective strategies for thriving with ADHD. Fabulous!

I am not diagnosed as having ADHD but have all of the symptoms. This book has helped me understand myself but also useful tools to consider.

Interesting stuff. Unfortunately due to ADHD I was unable to concentrate and finish but did keep me reeled in for the majority of the book (reading a bit every day!) Some of the advice was very helpful and I have taken on. Probably won't stick to any of it but definitely an enlightening read!

This was recommended to me by a very good and well respected trauma and ADHD psychoanalyst. I haven’t finished the book yet but the first section of explaining and exploring symptoms and causes of ADHD is EXCELLENT. If anyone needs to understand it for themselves or get parents or partners to understand then this IS the book you should get them to read. It’s written in a very detailed but witty way and is enjoyable to read while giving a very realistic account of what it’s like to exist with ADHD. I’ll Post further updates on the methods of improvement when finished!…..

This book was recommended by my psychiatrist after diagnoses Practical, educational information Well written book, easy to follow Good to use a long side the audio book when its hard to focus on reading, but helpful to have the hard copy book to refer back to

Wow. I am blown away by this book. I have read a lot about ADHD but this is the best book by far. It is extremely positive and encouraging. He discusses in detail a very comprehensive list of alternative ways of dealing with ADHD as well as discussing the medical approach. He is honest enough to say that medication alone may not be enough and anyone with ADHD should look at themselves and their environment in a holistic way. The diagnosis part of the book is also brilliant and really helps me understand much more about Adult ADHD symptoms. Thorough discussion on HRV rates and stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system - the best material I have read on this, very thorough and detailed. This is a must read for anyone who thinks they have ADHD or lives with someone who has ADHD. I am so grateful that this book has been written by a psychiatric doctor who has ADHD himself and makes the book authentic and very caring.

It was a gift for someone with ADHD who found it useful.

Das ist ein wirklich sehr gutes Buch von Dr. Kustow. Es beschreibt mit aktuellem Fachwissen die Symptome, Auswirkungen von ADHS, begleitend ist es wie ein Selbstcoaching aufgebaut und bietet den Leser die Möglichkeit zur Selbstreflexion auf fachlich versiertem Niveau. ich empfehle es gerne an meine Clienten weiter, wenn ADHS bereits diagnostiziert wurde oder auch ein Verdacht besteht, um sich in das Thema einzulesen.

I would recommend buying this if you have been diagnosed with ADHD by a Dr. Too many people are self diagnosed. This might make non- diagnosed feel they have ADHD because everyone has some of these traits. So, if you’re not diagnosed, but it but don’t use it to self diagnose! For me, he hits the nail on the head with everything. Listened on audio and then bought the e book. It’s still helpful for anyone, even without ADHD because he gives helpful advice on managing life - if you have sleep problems, are a procrastinator, etc.

I love Dr James Kustow. He is so easy to listen to with his calm and intellectual voice on his audio book. As far as research goes, he’s so onto it, practical and really insightful. So glad to finally hear some Dr’s who (including Gabor Mate) are seeing the mind, body and soul as one. I consider environment also a part of that deeply interconnected system that makes us a whole. The Earth environment has a direct effect on evolution. We are not separate to it. More so in the past our genes would express and reflect the earth environment and adjust appropriately. Now it’s more about the community environment. I have seen so many children with ADHD (including myself) suffer much more with family environments that lack sufficient support/safe solid home. As an outcome the ADHD survival/fear/distractibility symptoms reflect their environment and become more pronounced. I have a theory that ADHD is a manifestation of genes from the head hunter in the group. Would explain a lot. My family are farmers, as far back as I can go 5 generations. Adjusting to this fairly new, in relation to our industrious world that is moving at such a fast pace for ADHD’ers, it is challenging. This book definitely helps.

Excellent book, I have late stage diagnosis and this is an amazing source of information.