Support groups

I am shocked how there isn't much assistance for ADHD individuals. No physical support groups out here in California. Everything is online. Plus, it's heartbreaking how the medication is never available and they end up with generic medication.

[STEM_Dad]

Welcome to the forum Hidden !

It's always nice to see a non-ADHD partner here.

I think you're very right that there aren't enough in-person ADHD support groups.

California probably has more CHADD affiliate groups than any other state in the US (but that doesn't mean they have in-person meetings. In Cali, they all seem to be in the metro areas.

chadd.org/affiliate-locator...

I grew up on SoCal (Inland Empire area), but was living in Idaho when I got diagnosed (90 miles from the nearest ADHD support group Spokane & Coeur d'Alene area). Now I'm in western NY, about 90 minutes from the CHADD affiliate in Buffalo.

...It seems I'm always an inconvenient distance from support groups.

You might also be able to find ADHD support groups via Facebook groups or Meetup.com.

But we do have a pretty good community here. In my bio, I list other online ADHD groups that I've been a part of, a couple of which have thousands of members (one is a men's ADHD group). So those might be helpful for making contact with local ADHD support.

(btw- As a believer, I like your username.)

[Hidden in reply to STEM_Dad]

Thank you for this helpful information.

[Zilmita]

It really does suck that there’s really not much support for people with Add/Adhd. When I was living in Miami, Florida I was a member of CHAAD. I would go online to see if there was any event or activity near where I lived. I never found anything at all. You would have to drive more than 45 minutes to get to any place that there could be an event or something similar to that. In North Carolina I would have to also drive 30 minutes or more to go to a physical building that CHADD owns. The nearest affiliate of CHADD is in Virginia. I wish that CHADD would open other physical building s all over the USA. Also, I wish that CHASD would have a lot more events and activities for people with adhd/add near to where they live. That would be awesome. Also, that they would give scholarships for anyone that has these specific learning issues that either wants to get their first college diploma or individuals that want to get another degree in a different field of study. For example: I already have a degree in early childhood education. I graduated with a 3.5 gpa. I wouldn’t mind getting another degree in either pastry making or acting. It would be nice (especially since college is getting more expensive) that CHADD came up with scholarships to help pay for the courses. Or, at least get in contact with successful people (doctors, lawyers, celebrities, etc) that actually care about people with these issues that need/want/deserve support from others. To read/hear/see someone who is as successful (for example) as Mark Ruffalo donate money, time, and energy/resources to raising awareness for mental health issues. This would show (for the first time ever) that people with learning difficulties can be successful and are capable of working in any capacity in any industry that’s not just flipping hamburgers at Burger King or making photo copies for teachers in local schools. Not that these jobs are bad. They aren’t. The problem is that then lots of people in the USA will be convinced that people with learning disabilities are too stupid and incapable of having a meaningful career that can allow these lovely people have the financial independence that they want. Imagine that someone who has a diagnosed learning disability becomes a lawyer (what Kamala Harris was) and considers running for senate and is elected (eventually) president. That would really show the citizens of the USA that people with learning disabilities can do different jobs that are more important and difficult than just flipping burgers.

[AuDHD3245]

ADHD in adults is still new. ADHD and autism, was normally diagnosed in children until 2008 when they started assessing adults. So, ADHD in adults is only 15-16 years old. There's been a massive increase in the number of people trying to get diagnosed and the waiting list here in the UK is nearly 5 years. Thousands and thousands of people are now on the waiting list worldwide, and it's getting worse.

As individuals, we look at individual therapy, however, the resources simply aren't there... yet. All of this needs funding and funding doesn't come from nowhere. It's unfortunate, but, as it's so new, medication and 'self-care' therapy is the only thing available in most areas. It is growing though, and hopefully in the next 10 years things calm down, or grow so big that all other kinds of therapy open. Until then though, it's YouTube videos, books and forums like this that help too.

[Zilmita in reply to AuDHD3245]

You do have a point. I guess (for now) people are more focused on medicating our population that really providing alternative means to deal with the hyperactivity part of the adhd or the anxiety issues. It would be nice if organisations like CHADD would get in touch with all governments to have events tp raise awareness and money for diagnosis, treatment, education, and for jobs for people in our population. It would be nice if there was a 5K that would raise money and awareness. Then that money can be used for job training, education, diagnosis, and even to create other fun events. I would love to see CHADD have events in Wake Forest, North Carolina (for example) that has to do with baking. I love to bake. They could have a huge bake sale and the proceeds can go to educating the public about ADD/ADHD. That we aren't stupid. That we're capable of actually holding full time jobs, raising kids, getting married, etc. It would also be nice that there was a scholarship set up for adults that want to go back to the university to get another (or their first) college degree. I would love (for example) to get a degree in Culinary Arts and specialise in Baking/Pasteries/Ice Cream Desserts. It would be nice in CHADD had scholarships so that people like me can get their college degree in a field of their choice.

[AuDHD3245]

I still can't believe they've been giving kids amphetamines since the 60's. I was disgusted. I dont truly agree with awareness campaigns until things are in place. Like the 'mental health' boom, it just overwhelms the system to breaking point. It becomes non important in the end, I believe. Like COVID, the first people to die was bad, but, by the 10,000th, it was just another one. And cancer, when someone you knew died of cancer back in the 80s, it was shocking, and today because it's the number one killer, and there's a 1 in 2 chance of getting it, it doesnt matter.

In the UK, we're not allowed to say 'spectrum' anymore, but, it still is on the spectrum. With the figures as they are today with hundreds of thousands of people on the waiting lists, ultimately most of the world will be on the 'spectrum' and I dont suppose any government want that due to the stereotypical 'learning disability' attached to it. All governments boast a good education and to have hundreds of thousands go for medication for neurodivergent necessities kind of makes them have to step back and re-evaluate.

My own views and opinions, not arguing or spreading false info (apart from the fact about them giving amphetamines to kids)

[LifeAfterDiagnosis]

So relatable.

I'm finding that issue as a late-diagnosed adult, and I think on-line became so popular during COVID that it's just stayed that way (much to my dismay, as well). I've been waiting almost two weeks for my med to be refilled; I guess I should call in refills 2-3 weeks before I run out. 😕

Hang it there and don't give up. Keep looking and you'll probably find what you're looking for eventually.

[Zilmita]

All though there are "special ed schools" in the usa and universities that (I guess) need/have to accept x amount of learning disabled students, other than that there really isn't much for learning disabled, add, or adhd people. Unless it's medication, therapy, and/or special schools. There really isn't much support for this specific group of individuals with learning issues. People that have autism have a foundation called "Autism Speaks." We do have CHADD but, (as someone already wrote as a comment here) any physical building can be more than a 30 minute drive or more. There are support groups in the sense that people meet at a specific building at a specific time to have meetings (kinda like Alcoholics Anonymous). There isn't a group that creates fun events and/or activities that/to raise awareness/money for us. It would be cool if CHADD did events/activities like Autism Speaks. When I was living in Miami they had a bunch of events/activities to raise funds/awearness for autism. They had picnics, 5 k's, barbecues, carnivals, etc. It would be cool if CHADD did that in every major city and/or the suburbs of major cities. Wake Forest (for example) is about 30 minutes from Raleigh the capital of North Carolina. CHADD can rent out a space in Wake Forest (there are a few local community centres that CHADD can rent space from in Wake Forest) and have various activities/events though out the year. A picnic, movie nights, etc. Is there any event(s) that CHADD does in the areas that the rest of the members here live in???