Hello! Seeking advice - It seems everywhere I look for an ADHD adult support group, or coach or magazine… I have to be a member and pay before I know what I am paying for. Anyone know how to find free online adult adhd support communities? Or does anyone have any recommendations for coaches? I’m 49 and need help organizing myself at work with project completion and in my personal life setting goals and sticking to them.
Help. 💜
I've found it helpful to be a part of forums, like this one. Sadly, the forum I felt the most connected to was taken down a few months ago. But that's given me more time to spend on this one.
People here share from our own experiences, but there's no orderly help information. The forum search is mostly helpful, but not the best I've used.
This community is pretty responsive to specific questions.
-----
Besides this one, I'm in a couple of ADHD groups on Discord. Neither has been as helpful for me as this forum, but it might just be because I'm not used to the format.
ADHD Hangout
* This one is free to join, great for venting on, but has a smaller community
How to ADHD
* This one requires a Patreon subscription to join (starting at $2/mo), has a large community, and admins. It is the official Discord channel for the How to ADHD YouTube channel.
-----
I'm also part of the ADHD Essentials Facebook group, started by the host of the ADHD Essentials podcast, Brendan Mahan. He's a former educator and ADHD coach.
m.facebook.com/groups/27628...
Thanks to your post, I remember that I also want to join the ADHD reWired "secret" Facebook Group. The place to request access is at: adhdrewired.com/community/
(I've been meaning to join this group for months, and only remember when I'm driving and listening to the ADHD reWired podcast, by Eric Tivers. He's a clinical social worker, podcaster, ADHD coach, and creator of the ADHD reWired Coaching and Accountability program, aka "ARC"*)
~~~~~
I did go though ARC last Fall. It's an intensive 10-week coaching and accountability program, with a 99% completion rate, but definitely pricey at about $3000. It did help me, very informative and a great way to connect with others who have ADHD. I keep saying this, but I need to review the materials again, now that I'm in a steady job again.
~~~~~
Other than that, you can see if there is a CHADD Affiliate group in your area. (There isn't one near me, unfortunately.)
You do have to pay for professional help like a coach. Forums and online support groups are not professional help. Although learning how others cope can be helpful..
Correct.
Support groups can be helpful, but a coach can be helpful in more specific ways.
Coaches earn an income by their coaching, so there's a cost involved. Even a support group that was started by a coach isn't likely to have the same benefit as coaching.
~~~~~
There are also lots of books, blogs, podcasts, video channels, etc. with helpful information. But it can be a challenge to separate the useful information from the well-meaning information out there on the web.
Actually, you don't. If you can't motivate yourself, then you have problems. I learned and implemented everything on my own, but I have motivation and accountability in spades. Some people need coaches if they have problems with being professional etc. There is a really helpful group, and it's less than 100.00 a year, also it's a worldwide group it's called ADDA. You can really benefit from this group and learn everything a coach will tell you. I have gotten to the point where organization and follow-through are second nature. I can also be in a meeting of executives, and it seems like I belong there, I'm very professional when I need to be. You can learn all of that and more. When people seek ADHD coaches, it ends up sounding like they need someone to sharpen them up professionally, an executive coach. Honestly, with quality resources, you can make tremendous progress. I only recommended ADDA as does Russel Barkley among others. You can always find help and people to connect with, a strong sense of community there. By learning and making changes on your own, they tend to become much more impactful. You will find no shortage of people claiming they can help you, but at 200.00 an hour they had better teach Jedi Mind Tricks .. I would never use one because I love to learn, and I do things on my own. When I find a coach that knows more and can be more helpful than I can be, then maybe I wouldn't be against them. Unless you don't like learning and gaining insight the more you interact then a coach is your only option, but for less than 100.00 ADDA will be your best money spent by far.
this is great that this works for you but it won’t for everyone. I have a coach who I fund myself. I have a session once a month, I am a senior executive so I don’t need help being professional, my coach supports me by reminding me off the tools I have when I am overwhelmed for example. Coaching shouldn’t be stigmatised as only being for those lacking professionalism.
Thanks for your informative post! I just posted about this then saw in the sidebar it is already a question. Leaving the post up, but love your reply. Please can you tell us how to see more about ARC program? I would search it but ARC could be many things.
You can find info about the program and how to sign up at adhdrewired.com/arc/
Some of the guests I've heard on the ADHD reWired podcast are past participants.
thanks a lot! as you may know, once in an online forum "one" digs deep, sometime into the wee hours. A later reply in this thread recommends this one at 199/mo...
ihaveadhd.com/focused/?inte... this ARC helped you.....I will look into it.
Have you made any IRL friends in any of this? I have an IRL friend who discovered she had ADHD after I told her about it, and we send each other tips and videos....she does a crazy complex public-relations job in NYC and I am amazed at what we can do.
I hadn't made any IRL friends from the coaching group.
But my life has been complicated the last few years, and people that I thought were friends basically shut me out... so, I haven't been very open to making friends lately.
At the time I went through the coaching group, I was recently divorced, had to leave a good job to move across the country to be with my kids, and was busy looking for work. Making new friends wasn't on my radar.
Now, I'm open to making friends, but I'm such an introverted homebody that most of the people I'm around are at work...and the one guy that I most thought I'd make friends with ended up being let go. (He was planning to leave anyway, but it made things awkward. We did become Facebook friends, though.)
You can try podcasts. I really like one called I have ADHD. She does plug her coaching program, but I get a lot from her podcast, that help me.
She's awful sorry, she just is. Along with her coaching plug every thirty seconds
me too, I like her podcast!
Yes coaches cost money, like doctors. But most coaches offer a consultation for free or a trial session for free and so on. You can consult with multiple coaches and see whose framework and voice and method seems to work for you.
Coaches are sure not doctors, very poor comparison.
Have you tried meetup? Or has someone already mentioned it? O know there is a Sunday group. 1p. Good luck.
Hi there!! I am a Certified Health Life transformation coach! I would be happy to help! My website is Levelingupwithmichelle.com
Ah, Michelle! You like most coaches lack any degrees, anyone can accumulate certifications
Hi, HighlySuspect99. Your screen name is appropriate to your responses I've read so far. Biting sarcasm and disparaging others aren't typical characteristics of ADHD. Are you only here to snipe at people? Maybe drop your weapons and play a little nicer in the sandbox.
This is an inaccurate generalization. Many ADHD Coaches are trained professionals who work as part of a client care team. I have two advanced degrees (Education and Mental Health Counseling) and 5+ years of adhd coach training. I know coaches who have PhDs and PsyDs. I collaborate with prescribers, therapists, clinical psychologists, school psychologists, special education directors, tutors, and pediatricians on a regular basis. Coaches provide behavioral and motivational support, understanding and encouragement that can be difficult to find elsewhere.
It sounds like you feel you wouldn’t benefit from a coach and that’s fine (therapy and medications aren’t for everyone either) but many folks find coaching/ skills training to be as effective as stimulants or an essential component to improving their daily functioning and life satisfaction.
All the best!
dubsfan - I agree with all of the above. For me, podcasts have helped the most. I am looking into coaching and therapy and find the process overwhelming in researching my options.
As an adult assessed with ADHD Inattentive type at 51, it is challenging to filter through all the resources and content. There is far greater content for children with ADHD and their families than for adults, especially older adults.
I am considering starting a resource platform for adults and older adults with ADHD. The platform would aggregate trusted content from multiple sources to provide one central place to research. The platform would be easy to search and filter content based on a demographic, medium, or topic.
My favorite Podcasts are:
ADHD reWired -Eric Tivers
podcasts.apple.com/us/podca...
Translating ADHD - Asher Collins and Cameron Gott
podcasts.apple.com/us/podca...
Overcoming Distractions - Thriving with ADHD, ADD - David A Greenwood
podcasts.apple.com/us/podca...
Taking Control - The ADHD Podcast - Niki Kinser and Pete Wright
Hi! I actually find ADDitude Magazine's online very helpful. There are forums and articles and I think you'll be pleased.
They have interesting articles. They have their own interests though. I read their summary article of ADHD meds with links to individual drug articles written by 2 non-medical ADDitude employees. The entire thing was cut & pasted quotes from one MD's article (also an ADDitude employee & ex-clinician turned drug-rep.) The whole project obfuscated the fact that all ~30 drugs were just 2 drugs re-packaged, leading the lay person to believe there were many options worth exploring (at non-generic prices) if you didn't like your current med.
Also, if you click on the "for professionals" section of their website, they prominently display a poorly referenced article claiming 'Cardiovascular impact of amphetamines are not as serious as previously thought."
I'm a nurse. I started taking meds 18 months ago, 22 years after some addiction douche convinced my parents I didn't need drugs. Should the day come, I will eagerly take the risk of heart attack over the ADHD pseudo-dementia I experienced for the past several years. I had long been contemplating how to enable my own suicide in the scenario I became dependent on my wife for activities of daily living. BUT I think heart attack Vs stopping ADHD drugs needs to be a question of informed consent. NOT industry propaganda.
I noticed this. It made me skeptical of all their work but some here are recommending their peer-support. do you know about it it?
I’ve found ADDA’s virtual peer support groups helpful. They’re hosted by skilled coaches or therapists who volunteer their time. ADDA is aimed at adults more than children. I found the membership cost reasonable at $5 a month with no commitment. Plus they have webinars.
The only thing is, groups are not personalized to you as an individual. Coaching could be. But I would ask my therapist and doctor for referrals. Some coaches have LCSW degrees and some sessions might be covered a little by insurance if it is therapy with coaching vs pure coaching.
Like I said, just join ADDA. I have listened to every ADHD podcast and am familiar with all organizations and groups. Everything else mentioned is not going to have the same impact as ADDA. Once you join, you will discover the community and knowledge that you seek. ADDA is truly one of a kind among online platforms. I've never known anyone to join and quit using it. They don't pay me; it's just worth the money, and people in the know with ADHD know about ADDA. The Attitude podcast is the only one worth listening to, especially episodes with Russel Barkley. His videos can all be viewed on YouTube. The Attiude podcast has a lot of meaningful guests and the magazine is great for short articles.
I just downloaded this app called “circles” it’s free and they have therapists on there for free each week! You can even unmute your microphone and ask them questions and talk to the other people that join the group.
super frustrating. I refuse to pay or even sign up for anything that is so very closed in disclosure. I have come across a few that are full discoloured. Heck out Paula overland
Looking for ADHD coaching and mentoring. 
Anyone know a free online or in person support group? 
ADHD Support, What could be helpful?
support groups
Adult ADHD support groups
