Attending an ADHD support group can be a wonderful experience.  You meet people who know what it’s like to live with ADHD without you needing to say a word.  You feel understood and more comfortable with the members than even people in your family.

Unfortunately, not all ADHD support groups are like this, in fact some can be very depressing. People (usually one or two members dominate the meeting) talk about how awful there life is with ADHD.  How they have no money, a bad job, a string of failed marriages etc, all because of ADHD.  You’ll leave the meeting feeling unsettled and low.

However, it’s not just ADHD support groups that can be depressing, there are 1000’s of problems people encounter and a support group for every one of them.  There seem to be 2 types of support groups, ones that provide a supportive healing environment and offer solutions to challenges.  Then ones where people have a good moan, week after week, and enjoy being defined by their problems.

If you are reading this then you are almost certainly a proactive person and would enjoy the first option!  Below are 6 tips to navigating ADHD support groups.

6 tips to navigate ADHD support groups:

1)      Monitor how you are feeling during and after the meeting.  If you are feeling sad or uneasy that is a sign the group doesn’t match your approach to life.

2)      If you have a bad experience at one group, search for another one.  Great groups do exist!

3)      Don’t feel you have to attend every meeting.  If the group meets every week, yet that feels too much for you make a personal commitment to attend once a month instead.

4)      Attending a support group doesn’t have to be a lifelong commitment.  If you have attended for a while, but are no longer getting value, it’s fine to stop going.

5)      If you meet one or two special people at a group you can keep in touch with those people independently of the group.  Having friends who understand you is always a good thing.

6)      If you are craving a group of supportive ADHD people, but can’t find a group in your area..start your own.  It’s not as hard as you might think.


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