New Here

[danidanny]

Hello

I am new here, my name is Dani and would like to know how this work. Are there any online meetings planned or is just like a forum?

Thanks

[CloudsAreLovely]

I'd like to know as well. I've tried different sites and all the free conferences from the ADHD gurus and found out that nothing is that easy even some of the free sites that are known to be awesome sources are super spammed. You can pay to get help tailored to you.. Just like big pharm, it's all about the money!!!! So tried free resources like podcasts and YouTube those are ok. Tried paid subscriptions to ADHD-related sites. Not too helpful....they did have one course on this site that was the bomb But I was already familiar with the speaker. The only things truly without fail found to be useful were changing my diet, doing exercises, walking on hikes, working somewhere I love, taking on hobbies... like sports, art, music, writing.... whatever you thrive in naturally and improve on them one at a time don't give up!!!! And just stop believing something wrong with you. You can be your worst enemy.

[danidanny in reply to CloudsAreLovely]

thank you for your tips! so true, exercising is what helps me the most, and obviously having a job that I like..but still

[CloudsAreLovely in reply to danidanny]

I know...I gotcha.

[STEM_Dad]

Welcome to the forum danidanny !

This is just a forum. No meetings organized by the forum admins.

Some people have arranged for meetings. A few guys and I tried to form an accountability group a while back, but our schedules and the things we each needed accountability for didn't seem to line up enough.

If you want to try to get a web meetup going, you might find some people here who want to participate. The question keeps coming up.

I'm also part of a couple of ADHD communities that do have meetings.

• One is a private Facebook support group for ADHD (intended for people who identify as male and have ADHD). That group has some regular scheduled web meetings (and in-person meetups in the NYC area).

• The other of the "How To ADHD" community on Discord, in which some people connect and form their own meeting groups. (I don't know how well those go. Discord is to fast paced for me. ~ You must be at least a one-time Patreon supporter of the How To ADHD YouTube channel in order to join the Discord community.)

[danidanny in reply to STEM_Dad]

thank you! May I ask you if it has worked for you? to be in an online support group.

[STEM_Dad in reply to danidanny]

I've found this forum community to be immensely helpful.

It has helped me to feel like I'm not all on my own, that there are others like me to connect with.

Originally, starting around the time I was going through my diagnostic assessment, I connected with the community that was at [forums.howtoadhd.com], but sadly that part of the website was taken down. (I even volunteered my time and tech experience to help keep it up, but it wasn't to be.)

This forum is very close to the kind of community that was there, so I've found a home here.

About half a year ago, I heard about the Men's ADHD Support Group on Facebook, and I joined it, too. It has grown a lot faster than this one, and I like the opportunity to specifically connect with other men who have ADHD. It has some other benefits, like virtual meetups (and in person meetups, if you're in the right area).

• This forum and that group have their pros and cons. I like the way that I can find discussions more easily here. The other one, in typical Facebook fashion, let's discussions scroll away very fast (which doesn't help with my ADHD...I have trouble following up on particular discussion).

• I also tried out a couple of Discord ADHD groups, but found that they went too fast for me and my attention. I didn't find the depth of connection that I was looking for there. However, the many other users there seemed to really enjoy it.

~~~~~

I know that there are more ADHD forums, support groups, communities, etc.

A couple of years ago, I went through the ADHD reWired Coaching and Accountability program (ARC), founded by Eric Tivers of the ADHD reWired podcast. That community was very supportive, but there was a subscription cost to continue to have access to the community platform, and I couldn't fit it in my budget. A number of people in that community were very tight with each other, but I was (unknowingly) descending into a depression at the time, so I didn't make friends there. But it was a very interconnected, very supportive online group.

[STEM_Dad in reply to danidanny]

So, yes, I've found online support communities to be very helpful.

However, I still crave the more personal connection of in person contact.

I live in the Southern Tier region of New York state. (It's along the New York - Pennsylvania border, next to the Northern Tier of Pennsylvania, and the two together are known as the Twin Tiers.) ~ Around here, the only ADHD support seems to be at the K-12 schools, and maybe a bit at the smattering of colleges around these parts. ~ The nearest CHADD affiliate group is in Buffalo, but that's at least a 90 minute drive for me, so I haven't gone.

I've been debating forming a CHADD affiliate group for my region, but I am behind on bills, so I can't afford the membership cost and all the gas it'll take to drive all around this region. (I've thought it out, though. I was thinking of using public libraries as meetup locations.) ~ The other reason I'd like to found a group like that is to be able to host virtual meetups, particularly for folks on this forum. (It's more of a dream than a plan, though. I just want to give back in a meaningful way, for all the connection that I've benefitted from here.)

[danidanny in reply to STEM_Dad]

im glad that the community has helped you! I hope you can also create a group around your area. I also feel the need to connect more personally sometimes and there are things I cannot talk about to "normal" people, even if they are friends, they may not understand the struggles or won't care too much

[Jozlynn]

Hi danidaddy!

Welcome to the community! As mentioned, this is a forum - but it's literally the only community like this that I've stayed a part of since my diagnosis (I've been in and out of others). I've gone through some hellish experiences and was able to pour my heart out here and received incredible support and warmth in response. The advice, comfort, reassurance, and relating that I receive from this forum are truly helpful. You're getting information straight from the mouth of a fellow ADHDer (or someone who loves an ADHDer).

CHADD has some pretty good groups that meet regularly, if you're looking for something like that. I used to be a part of one, but then the timing stopped working out for me. I like smaller groups that meet. I personally find the larger groups to be overwhelming, because people are excited to be among others that understand them - so there was a lot of people talking all at once. It would calm down once the moderator took control, but that initial overwhelm kind of drove me away from the larger groups.

I hope you're able to take as much away from this group as I have!

[danidanny in reply to Jozlynn]

thank you for the information! this is the first time im in an online group, so I dont know how to use it on my advantage.

[Mamamichl]

I just stuck with this forum. I get emails about other people like yours. I respond to them and I make my own when things are going on for me.

[danidanny]

thank you!

[danidanny]

thank you! does it work for you? does it help with your adhd? to me exercising and medication are the things that work, but I thought maybe some support group could help somehow...idk how though

[GabyHIS]

Dear danidanny,

Thank you for reaching out to CHADD's National Resource Center on ADHD. I understand that you are seeking ADHD support and resources.

First, the HealthUnlocked Adult ADHD Support Group provides an online community where adults with ADHD can connect, share experiences, and offer mutual support. It offers a platform for members to discuss challenges, seek advice, and access resources related to managing ADHD symptoms in adulthood.

If you haven't done so already, we recommend finding an ADHD specialist in your area. You can check our professional directory to see if there is a specialist near you: chadd.org/professional-dire.... Additionally, you can visit locator.apa.org/ to view psychologists who may also be nearby.

Additionally, our ADHD Centers Directory lists ADHD Centers through hospitals or universities. Here is a link to see if there is an ADHD Center near you: chadd.org/organization-dire.... ADHD specialists can be found in these locations, offering counseling services among others. I suggest reaching out for more information.

CHADD offers a program for adults to help them navigate the obstacles that come with ADHD: chadd.org/adult-to-adult/. This can be helpful in learning and organizing thoughts, which can help you manage your ADHD.

Consider joining a CHADD support group for individuals with ADHD. You can visit chadd.org/affiliate-locator/. Reach out to the support group nearest you for more information. Please note that some, if not all, have virtual options for meetings, so if there is not a support group near you, you can still participate in ones that are in another state.

I would recommend trying ADHD coaching, as they help individuals combat symptoms, life transitions, school, work, and day-to-day life with effective evidence-based strategies. Here is information on how ADHD coaching can look like: chadd.org/coaching/. Additionally, you can find more coaches by visiting adhdcoaches.org/.

If you have any further questions, please let us know.

GabyHIS

[danidanny]

Gaby thank you so much for all the information and help!