The Best of the Best: Our Favorite Blogs About Life with ADHD

Why We Love It: A self-described “artstrepreneur,” author Katy Rollins has crafted a blog bursting with creativity and life — each entry is peppered with honesty, insightful self-evaluation, and a dash of humor. She refuses to sugarcoat or wallow in setbacks — making 18 Channels readable and relatable.

About Katy Rollins: When she was diagnosed in her 30s, Rollins craved personal accounts about living with adult ADHD — warts and all — and started a blog to share the highs and lows of her own journey. When she’s not blogging about her ADHD and anxiety, she juggles a family of five, several small businesses, and a “collection” of animals.

A Taste: “Anxiety is powerful, and has the ability to nearly completely flatline my thinking. It puts me into lizard-brain mode, where the focus is on survival and that’s about it. But I’m not a lizard. I’m a human. I have higher level thought processes to attend to, and even though I have ADHD (which can re-route or short circuit some of those higher level thought processes at times), that doesn’t mean I can’t execute them.” Read more HERE.

Why We Love It: Actually ADHD follows a straightforward Q&A format, where other Tumblr users submit questions privately to receive publicly-displayed responses. J, Elise, and MJ offer a healthy mix of personal anecdotes, real ADHD research, and tried-and-true strategies for everything from managing a grocery list to dealing with extreme emotions. They’re supportive, welcoming, and update frequently — perfect for any Tumblr-using young adult who needs somewhere to turn to manage a diagnosis.

J, Elise, and MJ: The three moderators (who use shortened versions of their names for privacy reasons) were diagnosed with ADHD sometime between the ages of 7 and 28. Each brings their own unique perspective to the topics of medication, time management, and living well with ADHD. They strive for inclusivity, and welcome discussion on virtually any topic, from anyone at all — formal ADHD diagnosis or not.

A Taste: “We don’t care if you finally remembered to feed the cat last night or if you got all of the laundry done for the first time in a year or if you wrote a term paper and turned it in early or anything else you may have done! If you are proud of it, you can (and should!) share it with us, because then other people who understand how huge your achievement was will be able to rejoice with you!” Read more HERE.

Why We Love It: Like many adults diagnosed late in life, author Kelly Babcock was suddenly thrown into unfamiliar territory: the land of ADHD. Determined to learn whatever he could about the condition — and how he could best manage it — he turned himself into a near expert on it, and it shows. He brings a sense of authority to ADHD Man of DistrAction, whether with personal anecdotes about anger management or insight into our nation’s mental health system.

About Kelly Babcock: For Babcock, “having ADHD is like having the 64-color box of crayons when everyone around him has the box of 8.” Undiagnosed until age 50, he spent his whole life feeling like he didn’t quite “fit in” — until a chance encounter encouraged him to pursue an ADHD diagnosis, and opened his mind to the possibility of living without regret.

A Taste: “I have lots of days that just aren’t special at all. They’re just days. But every day of my life has two things in common that are rather special and that I’d like to talk about here. And those two things are connected. Every day I feel the negative effects of my ADHD. And every day I proactively document positive things about my life to combat the depression and anxiety that the negative effects of ADHD cause in my life.” Read more HERE.

Why We Love It: Since each Book Club post is structured around the chapter of a book, it’s an easy format to follow — and you can even read along, if you’re so inclined! In evaluating each chapter, author Taylor J. relates the themes — ranging from sex to finance — to her own life in a disarmingly personal way. Like many adults with ADHD who struggle in their relationships, Taylor was convinced before her diagnosis that whatever struggles she and her husband were having were her own fault. Once she learned about ADHD and the effects it could have, she realized she wasn’t alone — and is inviting readers along for the journey.

Taylor J: The actual ADHD Roller Coaster blog is run by Gina Pera, a renowned expert who has worked with Dr. Russell Barkley on therapy for couples with ADHD. For the Book Club section, however, Pera recruited Taylor J., a woman who has ADHD and is married to a husband with ADHD — with four kids (some also with ADHD). Taylor and her husband were both diagnosed late in life, and she shares their journey each week as she moves through Pera’s book, Is It You, Me, or Adult ADD?

A Taste: “It never occurred to me that the problems in our marriage were anything but my fault, and not something I should be able to control by my own willpower. I was disorganized. I never followed through on commitments. I jumped from project to project, and needed reminders to do basic things — like showering and brushing my teeth.” Read more HERE.

Why We Love It: This Tumblr blog focuses heavily on college, particularly the difficulties of studying and keeping up with a heavy course load when you have ADHD. It includes a wide array of study tips, advice for getting accommodations, and general motivation — with a few memes and funny pictures along the way.

Anonymous: The author of Far from Vague and Scatterbrained doesn’t reveal his or her name, but self-identifies as a college student studying science and psychology. Whoever they are, they tackle ADHD-related topics in an eloquent and thoughtful way, sharing personal stories while encouraging a healthy and happy ADHD community on the popular blogging platform.

A Taste: “Don’t call yourself names meant to hurt when you’re frustrated. You are not defined by your struggles and mistakes. Everyone is frustrated with themselves sometimes — if you’re not failing at things it means you’re not really challenging yourself in the first place. You can’t fail if you never try — and that’s a much worse fate than making mistakes.” Read more HERE.

Why We Love It: Author Zoë Kessler is an adult woman who deals with the hyperactive side of ADHD — rare in a world where boys are viewed as hyperactive and girls are seen as primarily inattentive. Other women who have struggled with hyperactivity — and perhaps were often asked why they were so loud and “boyish” growing up — will find comfort in ADHD A to Zoë, which shows that hyperactivity can have a feminine side too.

About Zoë Kessler: Kessler is a frequent contributor to ADDitude, a best-selling author, journalist, and motivational speaker who lives with adult ADHD. Her recent book, ADHD According to Zoë (#CommissionsEarned), tackles relationships, maintaining focus, and finding peace.

A Taste: “It happened at a job interview. I found myself feeling clueless about eye contact: how much was too much? I was trying to pay attention to what the interviewer was saying, and ended up worrying that I was staring like an expressionless sociopath so I looked away — just when she asked me a question. I’d been vacillating between trying for a neutral expression, hoping to look attentive and reflective, and occasional smiles, which I was sure were apropos of nothing, ill-timed, and making me look even more nuts. I couldn’t help it. I had no idea whose face I was using, or how it got there, but it wasn’t mine.” Read more HERE.

Why We Love It: Stacey Turis, author of the blog on her website, Brain Gangster, deals so well with her experience with natural treatments — including meditation and yoga — that even her oldest posts ring true a few years later. She’s also a well of positivity, even in her heavier posts, and will help any reader find their inner ADHD superhero.

About Stacey Turis: Turis is twice-exceptional, which means (in her words) "half of my brain is capable of astonishing mental feats — while the other half can’t even bother to lift its leg when it farts." A frequent contributor to ADDitude, Turis is a high achiever who has started 27 businesses over the last 30-something years — unfortunately, she says, she can’t remember most of them!

A Taste: “I hear symphony music or voices talking or a choir singing when the bath water is running — does that make me crazy?” Read more HERE.

Why We Love It: Author Jeff Siegel is firmly in the “ADHD is not a gift” school of thought. And while we don’t necessarily always agree, we appreciate his bluntness about the reality of living with a neurological disorder. His writing style is a little out there (his DeLaVerità persona is much more meticulous), but Jeff's ADD Mind is a blast to read — filled with intricate stories, witty punchlines, and a few doctored images for an extra laugh.

About Jeff Siegel: Siegel grew up in Brooklyn, NY, and has lived with ADHD for nearly 50 years. That being said, he writes his blog under a few different “personas” — including "The Rabbi" and Peter DeLaVerità, a renowned journalist — that represent different facets of his internal monologue and convey his sometimes-competing ideas.

A Taste: “There’s been quite a dust-up at the New York Times website over the issue of ADHD. Is it real? Is it a cultural by-product? Is it a grand marketing scheme by the major pharmaceutical companies? The answer to all of these questions is ‘yes.’ ‘Yes’ it is real. ‘Yes’ it is a cultural by-product and ‘yes’ it is part of a grand marketing scheme and, no, these are not contradictory viewpoints.” Read more HERE.

Why We Love It: What’s not to love? Raised on Ritalin is informative, well-drawn, and expertly-paced — as well as a welcome change of scenery for people with ADHD who lose focus during lengthy essays. Author Tyler Page balances his own story — sparing no gritty details — with the more general questions that matter: What treatment options are best? Is medication a good choice? And what is ADHD — really?

About Tyler Page: Page is a gifted comic book artist who took his talent to the blogosphere, publishing his memoirs online in comic-strip form. As the name of his blog implies, Page was diagnosed with ADHD at an early age and placed on Ritalin, but stopped taking it as he moved into adulthood. It took a difficult breakup and a life “reset” to help him realize he was still struggling with ADHD, and needed to re-explore options for treatment.

A Taste: “There seems to be no shortage of articles claiming an ‘epidemic’ of ADHD in recent years. Estimates vary on the number of people who receive a diagnosis. But: Does a sharp rise in diagnoses correspond to in ‘actual’ occurrence of the disorder?! Methinks there is more to this story….” Read the rest (and see the pictures!) HERE.

Why We Love It: Author Stephanie Lorman doesn’t shy away from any topic — whether it's snot or white privilege — and is open about the struggles of raising children in a small house and balancing her personal self with her family life — all with a healthy dose of adult ADHD. She openly admits her life is "messy, cluttered, and a bit stressful." But reading Scattermom, you also feel her joy radiating from every word. Lorman is interesting, charming, and sure of herself — and that's inspiring for anyone, ADHD or not.

About Stephanie Lorman: Lorman is a political activist, mother of two "small people" and ready and willing to admit the disparities between her "present self" and her "other Self" — that is, who she was before she had kids. She also has ADHD, and is an outspoken advocate for women and girls (and moms) who are often underdiagnosed, underachieving, and overstressed in a neurotypical world.

A Taste: "I long for a life with everything neatly sorted into the equivalent of a 3D spreadsheet. I long for it in the same way, and with the same futility, as I long for stick-straight hair, a surprise growth spurt, and smaller boobs. Creativity is messy. I find it in piles of seemingly unrelated objects, sorted with a system that makes sense. To me." Read more HERE.

Why We Love It: Author Beth Harvey recognizes that there is still plenty of stigma around ADHD — and she’s determined to kick it to the curb. Whether she’s writing about something small (like preferring audiobooks to regular books) or something big (like dealing with criticism), Smart Girls With ADHD confronts each topic with a unique perspective and acknowledges that it’s always okay to be a little different.

About Beth Harvey: Beth is a half-Irish, half-Texan linguist, living her life in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Only recently, she found out her lifelong anxiety and feelings that she “wasn’t good enough” were symptoms of undiagnosed ADHD. Now, she blogs as a way to help other young women who feel misunderstood, anxious, and tired of faking it.

A Taste: “From the age of 13 I was addicted to Diet Coke. But not that addicted, of course. I had 'rules,' you see. Truthfully, I drank so much more than I ever admitted to myself. I limited myself to one can a day — like it was a good thing. Each day I’d buy a can at work with my lunch. Just one, so don’t judge me. Okay, so I’d have another after lunch if I was working later, but only on the days that really required additional caffeine. The days with the deadlines and the people asking me questions and with the overwhelming amounts of emails. Each evening I would only drink Diet Coke if my husband and I were at a pub quiz. That was usually on a Tuesday. And sometimes a Thursday.” Read more HERE.

Why We Love It: Author Douglas Cootey’s “Family Guy” blog for ADDitude has long been a fan favorite — combining parenting stories with the day-to-day struggles of managing multiple diagnoses. His personal blog, A Splintered Mind, takes it even further, building on these themes in a more honest and frank way. In each post, Cootey fearlessly addresses hard topics like suicide, debilitating depression, and his struggles as a parent.

About Douglas Cootey: Cootey is a single dad (with ADHD, depression, and chronic motor tics) raising four daughters — a few of whom have ADHD of their own. His blog documents his life as a father and freelance writer, highlighting his challenges, his victories, and life in an ADHD family.

A Taste: “I’m a big boy. I can handle opposing viewpoints. In fact, I even welcome them. Having somebody challenge me intellectually and not be intimidated by me can be very refreshing. Where I erred that day was in believing that the conversation didn’t bother me. I stayed up all night afterward troubled by it.” Read more HERE.

Why We Love It: No matter what your situation, you’re bound to find something you can relate to on Totally ADD. Rick Green in particular combines a wacky sense of humor with well-researched expert knowledge, explaining tricky things like executive functions using goofy metaphors (some involving toilets). Nothing is off-limits and every topic is addressed — a one-stop-shop for all your ADHD blog needs!

About the Authors: Who doesn’t write for this blog? With insights from Zoë Kessler, Thomas Brown, Elaine Taylor-Klaus, Rick Green, and more, Totally ADD is a comprehensive mishmash of experts, coaches, and those living with adult ADHD.

A Taste: “This is going to be one of those stories where I admit to resisting something that turned out to do me a world of good. Dunno if that’s a ‘guy thing’, or an ‘ADHD thing’, or a ‘Rick thing.’ But it’s going to take me a minute or two to get there. Stay with me! (Or skip to the end, then come back and read chunks in a random order until it makes sense. Hey, it’s your ADHD, do what works for you.)” Read more HERE.

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