Questions! We got questions! I gotsta know. Why don't you belong to to an ADD support group? Have you tried it and didn't like it? Was it a waste of time? What things would you like to see in an ADD support group? Have you tried any of the meetup, or CHADD or any other ADD support groups? Have you always wanted to but just never got the chance? If you used to be in a group and your not now, why? C'mon, let it all out. :D

My Local Chadd Chapter Is Horrible You Cant Ever Reach A Real Person Just An Answering Machine And I Don't Think The Address In The Phone Book Exists Anymore...there Are Two Groups Adults And Nonadder Suport...anyways Each Group Meets, Try This One On For Size, only One Time A Month If Your Lucky I Heard This From Someone At My Add Doctor's Office....i Really Think This Is Unacceptable For Living In Like The 3rd Largest City In Michigan....so I Wrote To Chadd Headquartrs And Got Some Chatty Response Aboout How Happy They Are That I Am Interested In Starting A Brand New Chapter For My City And How It Will Benefit The Community To Finally Have One And Directed Me To The Page On How To Do It By A Inpersonal Link.....i Wrote To Find Out How To Personally Contact The Leaders Of My Area's Chapter To See If i Could Take It Over And Make It Grow Obivously She Really Didn't Read My Email Carefully So I Gave Up For A Month And I Am Thinking About Trying To Find Out Again Because I Have Great Ideas On How To Get It To Really Take Off......anyways Sorry For The Long Ramble Any Ideas On How I Can Be Successful In Finding The Correct Info This Time Around...it Was Quite Fustrating Thank You For Your Attention Because I Know How Hard It Is To Read Posts Sometimes In Their Entirity :)

As far as I know there are no formal support groups in my area, but I have met with some other families with ADHD kids (we have a common psychiatrist for our kids). I enjoy it, but after we had them over for dinner once, my wife told me: from now on, one family at a time and if possible, meet outside the house! :eek:

There is no groups close to where I live. I have checked. It would be so nice if there was though.

Oh my goodness, I had forgotten...

When I was first diagnosed 11 years ago, I had been attending 12 Step meetings for one of my other problems, and that kind of meeting was what I was expecting when I went to an adult ADD support group. WRONG!

Remember we are all ADD. So imagine your worst experience in kindergarten. There were people who jumped up and down, the "boy" who went, "ooh ooh ooh" like Horshack, people who interrupted again and again, the "girl" who couldn't follow what was being said and kept asking the same questions over and over again. It was chaotic and terribly uncomfortable for a person who gets overwhelmed with noise and activity (me). I don't know if the group might have functioned better with a non-ADD person maintaining some order, or if some of us had made a little more progress with effective behavior so we who were still struggling could have some good examples.

I never went back. Just remembering it gives me the shivers.

C'mon people chime in. If the status quo of slipshod, disorganized, mismanaged, inefective and down right counter productive ADD support groups is o.k. with you, then by all means don't get involved. But if you've had it with family,friends, teachers and bosses who don't know what ADD is, or worse yet, think its something to be ashamed of or weeded out. If you're sick of social isolation, of being a pariah, of being misunderstood. If you're sick of not getting the treatment you desperately need because you lacked information. If you're sick of not being able to meet with other people just like you, or having your spouses and loved ones meet other people just like you. If your sick of all of this, then its time to figure out how to change it. The time is now. The place is here.


How did alcoholism become widely regarded as a medical problem instead of a character problem? Answer: Organization (AA)
How did homosexuality become widely accepted? Answer: Organization (various groups)
How did people with physical disabilities come to enjoy wider acceptance? Answer: Organization (Special Olympics among others)
How did 13 small colonies of the British Empire gain independance? Answer: Organization
How did a small Las Vegas get built? Answer (the) Organization:D

Seriously, lets make a difference.

C'mon people chime in. If the status quo of slipshod, disorganized, mismanaged, inefective and down right counter productive ADD support groups is o.k. with you, then by all means don't get involved. But if you've had it with family,friends, teachers and bosses who don't know what ADD is, or worse yet, think its something to be ashamed of or weeded out. If you're sick of social isolation, of being a pariah, of being misunderstood. If you're sick of not getting the treatment you desperately need because you lacked information. If you're sick of not being able to meet with other people just like you, or having your spouses and loved ones meet other people just like you. If your sick of all of this, then its time to figure out how to change it. The time is now. The place is here.


How did alcoholism become widely regarded as a medical problem instead of a character problem? Answer: Organization (AA)
How did homosexuality become widely accepted? Answer: Organization (various groups)
How did people with physical disabilities come to enjoy wider acceptance? Answer: Organization (Special Olympics among others)
How did 13 small colonies of the British Empire gain independance? Answer: Organization
How did a small Las Vegas get built? Answer (the) Organization:D

Seriously, lets make a difference.
Hi
When my son first was diagnosed (about 1 yr ago) I wanted to find a support group. I felt like every where I turned someone was "doubting" ADHD or telling me it was fake and he was like that becuse of my poor parenting skills, I did not discipline him, etc. I eventually began to feel like I did not want to even be around any of those ppl because it brought me DOWN!
I could not find a support group around me, and I gave up looking because it seemed like 1 more thing to deal with, honestly. I have found this site to be a good substitute for a live group.
Recently I talked with my dr about he possibility that I too suffer from ADHD, which seems extremely realistic. Now that I am dealing with getting my son all taken care of and now I need to worry about myself (I was so wrapped up in taking care of his needs I basically forgot I even existed) it would be so nice to see a real live person that suffers as well.

So I have been dancing around the idea of starting my own support group, but have been told one needs to have certain qualifications, etc, to do such a thing. I never intended to treat anyones condition, just chit chat, know that we weren't alone.

Sorry for such a long post....I know its tough to read it all!
-A

There is a problem with inexperienced and even unqualified people organizng support groups. These groups, from what I've seen, are certain to fail. My thought on support groups is that even an "unqualified" person can organize and manage a successful support group if given a minimum of training and guidance. I know that somewhere there has got to be tried and true experience-based info on organizing a successful ADD support group. What needs to be done is to get that info into people's hands and provide some sort of ongoing support in the form of training guides, "lesson plans" for meetings, answers to questions that are going to pop-up. Answers to questions that you haven't thought of yet. what kind of structure works best for meetings composed and even led by ADD'ers. People need helpful info on what works and why it works. And what doesn't work and why it doesn't work. Places where one might find suitable meeting space. A million and one questions will pop up. Time's-a- waistin'.

By the way, the guy that leads my group (I hope he's not reading this) is a certified counselor and is ADD. But bless his heart, he just doesn't know what he's doing.

I'm currently in a support group which I really like.

Initially I wasn't keen on it since the two moderators (who are licensed counselors) would set up a particular meeting topic which would be followed for...something like 5 minutes, then it'd go off in a totally different direction (yeah, a group of ADDers who can't stay on topic - shocking, I know :p:D).

The past few meetings have been more of an "open discussion" atmosphere and it's been much more enjoyable and informative. The people who come are supportive and sometimes we even hang out at a coffee shop after the meeting's over.

Questions! We got questions! I gotsta know. Why don't you belong to to an ADD support group? Have you tried it and didn't like it? Was it a waste of time? What things would you like to see in an ADD support group? Have you tried any of the meetup, or CHADD or any other ADD support groups? Have you always wanted to but just never got the chance? If you used to be in a group and your not now, why? C'mon, let it all out. :D
I think the main reason I haven't looked into any support groups is that I found this place and fell in love. Before, I asked several people about support groups, and now I find that I'm really not interested. You have a problem, you can put it on here and boy the responses you will get.

I think the main reason I haven't looked into any support groups is that I found this place and fell in love. Before, I asked several people about support groups, and now I find that I'm really not interested. You have a problem, you can put it on here and boy the responses you will get.
True! I use this site as a supplement to my support group. You can get a wider response to any question, like you said.

The past few meetings have been more of an "open discussion" atmosphere and it's been much more enjoyable and informative.

See, this is one of the questions that my group has been struggling with. Its always been an open discussion group. Totally unstructured and franky a bit chaotic with several discussions going on simultaneously. For some people this is great. For some its misery. And frankly, for a group that has 75 members signed-up, we only get a handful that show up for the meetings. That tells me that alot of people showed up, didn't like it, and didn't come back. And it appeals mainly to the socially isolated people, which is important. But people have different reasons to go to a support group. Maybe they want info. Maybe they need the reassurance of more experienced people. There are lots of different reasons for people to want to be a part of a support group. How do you structure the meetings to do the most for the most. And how much structure is too much structure for ADD'ers. We've tried different things but so far not much has worked. We need less quess work and more answers.

I have been TRYING to get to this parents off ADDers support group since DECEMBER!!!! They only meet on the first Wed of the month at 7 pm & its about 20 miles from my house. so I always forget (don't laugh...I know maybe I should find one for me!!) i have to remember b/c things are getting harder (read "worse" but that's such a strong word). I want his dad to go too but it's such an ordeal to ge him to go anywhere where he doesn't know ppl....hermit. I guess I should just go myself one of these times....I wish is was every week & closer.....

I think the main reason I haven't looked into any support groups is that I found this place and fell in love.

This site is important. Its critical. But face to face support is imortant too, the fellowship of fellow travelers. If you transcribed the typical support group meeting, especially a productive one, there isn't room (or maybe there's barely enough room) on a website to contain it. Most ADD'ers would benefit from the multi-sense impact of live face-to-face discussion. The kind of support you can't get from online forums. Don't get me wrong, though. I have nothing but praise for the online ADD community. I LOVE it. Two legs of the same chair.

I've posted trying to find a group in my area. I've networked with my psychaitrist and my therapist. I've talked with my EAP representative. I registered with meetup, I've even asked on other ADHD forums. I can't find a support group in Central New York. Closest one is probably 70 miles away. With price of gasoline, I can't justify the trip. I think something up close and personal might be a good experience, just can't find it.

I checked out a CHADD group within walking distance from my home. Run by a therapist and a consuler, both ADDers.

They introduced the topic of relationships, with pop psych suggestions about improving them. The few of us in the room occassonally hijacked the interaction, but we were eventually brought back to focus, probably a good thing.

It was fun, got to chat with people who seemed familiar, like long lost relatives. Turned them on to ADDForums.

I'll go back. Once a month.


Theoretical rant about support groups that work:

The 12 step support groups persist because they offer social encounters along with a conceptual system.

They FOCUS ON ONE ISSUE -- good luck with that in an ADD group.

They attract others because new members identify with others in the group (peer bonding).

They provide a solution (a set of concepts) and excersizes to keep newcomers busy and involved with the group (group cohesion).

They discuss the set of concepts until most members understand and adopt them (except for members who debate and disbelieve, yet this debate keeps the concepts in the forefront) (cognitive synchronization)

They are also independant, anarchistic, with no hierarchy and leaders They're a loose franchise with a global brand.

So, we're missing a brand name and a unique conceptual system focused on us.

But, wait! My years pacing back and forth manically in a cave have paid off:

Attentionics Unanimous.

The 12 Pests of Attentionics.


We were powerless over our ADD. Our clutter, intense attentionics, thrumming fingers and dancing feet had become unimaginable.

We came to belie that medication, psychiatry, or wacky assertions of ADDer superiority could restore us to MUNDANITY.

We made an impulsive decision to turn our racing thoughts, overbearing energy and unusual pursuits over to the care of the Ghost Of Divine Misunderstandings (or maybe ADDForums on highest- Whole Santa)

We took a frolicsome inventory of people, places and things we have misplaced, displaced or disgraced.

We yammered our rambling, endless tale to a j'moke with the attention span of a sand flea.

We became ready to defend our foibles, follies and confabulations against psychiatric, spiritual or scientific intervention.

We asked passers by, fellow bus riders, stoop setters and Sexy Others to relieve us our boredom. And to be quick about it. Ya.

We commended ourselves to people we had disarmed or confused, relieving our SM bondage of self in new ways that did not harm them or others.

When we go on and on for far too long, we promply analogize, then drift off into song.

Through word plays and medication, we sought to achieve constant contact with gobbs of other ADDers; asking not what ADDers could do for us, but what we could do for ADDers.

We had many spirited awakenings as a result of these missteps, and what a long strange trip it's been, attempting always to enlist ADDers in many of our affairs replacing principals to avoid penalties like a porpoise in lieu of mackeral.


Whole Santa.

Well said Stanzen, I am amazed that I could make it through the whole post, but I'm glad I did.

Theoretical rant about support groups that work:

The 12 step support groups persist because they offer social encounters along with a conceptual system.

They FOCUS ON ONE ISSUE -- good luck with that in an ADD group.

They attract others because new members identify with others in the group (peer bonding).

They provide a solution (a set of concepts) and excersizes to keep newcomers busy and involved with the group (group cohesion).

They discuss the set of concepts until most members understand and adopt them (except for members who debate and disbelieve, yet this debate keeps the concepts in the forefront) (cognitive synchronization)

They are also independant, anarchistic, with no hierarchy and leaders They're a loose franchise with a global brand.

So, we're missing a brand name and a unique conceptual system focused on us.

Stanzen, you have a good grasp of the benefits of a ADD support organization. We are indeed missing a brand name (that creates cultural awareness, understanding and acceptance) and a unique conceptual system focused on us. Thats EXACTLY what I had in mind. Are these things you mentioned not a worthy goal for ADD'ers. Thank you for giving it some thought. I thought more people would. I was dead wrong.

One issue seems to be that ADDers are often looking for SOMEONE ELSE to take the initiative and responsibility for starting, organizing and running such a group.

Most people want to complain about the lack of groups, but don't take any responsibility for starting or helping with such groups.

We get out of life what we put into it, i suppose.

You're right QueensU_girl, but it can't happen if you're the only one. I've networked and put my name out there letting people know my interest, if no one else has any interest than it's not a group.

One issue seems to be that ADDers are often looking for SOMEONE ELSE to take the initiative and responsibility for starting, organizing and running such a group.

Most people want to complain about the lack of groups, but don't take any responsibility for starting or helping with such groups.

We get out of life what we put into it, i suppose.You're so right Queensugirl. This is an obstacle I'm finding it hard to overcome. The first thing I would say to anybody who wants to be in a group is to consider starting one. Thats what I'm in the process of doing. I'm not licensed in anything. Licensure is not a requirement for starting a group. But there are things a person should know that would make the group much more successful in being a source of support for ADD'ers. I'm not sure what info is out there, but I want to find it and make it available to people.



By the way Queensugirl, I'm continually amazed at your depth of knowledge and the quality of your advice. I want you to move to America and run for president. Seriously.:soapbox:

One issue seems to be that ADDers are often looking for SOMEONE ELSE to take the initiative and responsibility for starting, organizing and running such a group.
Isn't this usually the case? Takes a few with a good idea to move the rest.

In any case, ADDForums provides support miles beyound what was available ten years ago.

But it would be good to go to a flesh and blooder nutter meeting. The one CHADD meeting I went to was fine, but it does not have a developed operating mode (whatever that might look like).

As far as I know there are no formal support groups in my area, but I have met with some other families with ADHD kids (we have a common psychiatrist for our kids). I enjoy it, but after we had them over for dinner once, my wife told me: from now on, one family at a time and if possible, meet outside the house!
This is the problem with creating a support group where the boundry lines are missing or confused. The group becomes annoying or overbearing because of overstimulation and lack of direction.

What does ADDForums, a potential ADD support network (not just one group), and the XAs have in common? They represent meta-communities. These are communities that transcend the local. They are horizontal organizations that span many other communities.

By being a member of an XA or ADDForums you develop relationships with people outside of the usual confines of your personal, local, workaday space.

Same, is true of bowling leagues, chess clubs, car clubs, religious groups, civic organizations.

All these groups have a stated purpose, the bowl, to bike, to get sober and stay sober, to do good, to acheive enlightenment.

I don't see that with an ADD group. We're not trying to be cured of ADD, are we? Just need helpful tips and tricks? Accomodation? Buddies who are at least as annoying, excuse me, as facinating as we are?

We could declare that we are superior and form a semi-secret society to force events to our advantage -- somehow I don't think we would be able to pull that one off -- not that anyone has for very long, ADD or not.

The one-sentence stated purpose of such a group; to elevate all ADDers to the commanding role we deserve, by all means necessary.


So, Madd, what is the stated goal of your ADD support group, in one or two sentences?

I know that somewhere there has got to be tried and true experience-based info on organizing a successful ADD support group. What needs to be done is to get that info into people's hands and provide some sort of ongoing support in the form of training guides, "lesson plans" for meetings, answers to questions that are going to pop-up. Answers to questions that you haven't thought of yet. what kind of structure works best for meetings composed and even led by ADD'ers. People need helpful info on what works and why it works. And what doesn't work and why it doesn't work. Places where one might find suitable meeting space. A million and one questions will pop up. Time's-a- waistin'.



Stanzen, you have a good grasp of the benefits of a ADD support organization. We are indeed missing a brand name (that creates cultural awareness, understanding and acceptance) and a unique conceptual system focused on us.


You can barrow the one I used for a support group I began back in 1994:

Distract!

I had pretty good success especially considering this was 1994 mid-sized retirememnt town, west Texas.

Some things I used.....

Free public service announcements.......
because it is a public service for a non-fee (a requirement) many of our local radio station agreed to mention it over the air during their "public announcement space thingies" that had some thing to do with the FCC I think!

We had a local talk show run by a lady named Pat Attabury.....when I found out about this public service thing I called the local television stations to see if they had a similar concept.....

Okay I am talking West Texas 1994 adult ADD was like almost unheard of.....but not completely...she was more thanhappy to let me come on her show....I appeared a couple of times and most of my membership came from these two or three appearances I made ...I was amazed at how many people watch that show!

Hint if you aint never done any thing like this on TV do the early am one first (lowest viewing) it took the first go round for me to feel comfortable with a camera and a picture of me in my own face...and I am an extrovert!!!

Brochures to be left in willing doctors offices... public restrooms-lol- Simple, colorful, short and sweet! I did not have access to computer programs like I do now. .I made brochures out of stencils, hand drawing with the help of friendly critics.....ran en off on a copy machine at work. .the deal I had to buy my own colored paper!


I tried to coordinate with our local Chadd at the time most all they addressed is children and all they did was expert discussions with a brief question and answer session I felt I was not competing so asked them about it.....I was told my idea was impossible....

(okay what ever)

End result came slightly longer than a year after we were up and running...

I was in the midst of a messy break up and fixing to fall off the edge of sanity....barley hanging on the Chadd president approached me about merging. .brief discussion with the members and they group merged with CHADD!

Many times local churches will let you use their building......for free!

Some where in asking and talking to people out the wazoo I came across the name of a pasture who just discovered he had ADD!!

When I was given the vision I was going to have a support group meeting in a church that wasn't built yet, helped by a man whom I had never meet in a town not known for it group participations (retirement town)......following a vision in me ADD head ..

Guidelines prevent me from becoming explicit(think miracle) however it happened...I set the first meeting up about a month after the church building was due to be completed......Distract met in the building four days before the congregation had it's first service!

What I am saying is this will work I know….

BEEN THERE DONE THAT!!! One of the best accomplishments I have ever experienced!
Impossible happens to be an ADD specialty!!!

Thanks Mead, thats great info. (more on that later)
Stanzen,

Gosh, one or two sentences? Is that all I get?:) And by the way, what is an XA, as you refer to it? The benefit of ADDForums is just as you said. But the comparison of ADDForums to a local support group is apples and oranges. Each has a place and they are both in the service of an ADD community. One is local and one is global. One via electronic media and the other is physical and immediate. One can do what the other can't and vice versa.


The goal of my support group will be simply to support the ADD'er dealing with the issues and concerns of living with AD(H)D.


That simple. Or is it. Just in the last month, in the ADD group I'm going to now, we are helping one person deal with a job demotion, another who is unemployed, another person whose friend just committed suicide, another of our group was one of the people who testified before the FDA committee about the black box warning on stimulants. We should have been able to give her a stipend to cover at least some of her expenses, but right now we don't have the means. Another of our group is a struggling entrepreneur and we enjoy hearing of her travails. Another guy had an art opening and some of us were able to attend. We see each other outside of meetings for coffee or drinks. Two couples are people who met in the group. There many, many stories of how we support each other and benefit from each others experience of living with ADD. Most of these people, myself included, don't feel free to discuss ADD issues with non-add'er because they simply don't understand us. At least we can offer a sympathetic ear from people who've been there and done that. Some of these people felt lost in the world until they met a roomful of people just like them.

We don't need to try to convince anybody that we're superior. We're not. Were just people trying to live a life made more difficult by a condition.

But the comparison of ADDForums to a local support group is apples and oranges

Gee they are both fruit!!! Yea psychologist just love me........word association how many would you like me to make???

The goal of my support group will be simply to support the ADD'er dealing with the issues and concerns of living with AD(H)D.


How???

At least we can offer a sympathetic ear from people who've been there and done that. Some of these people felt lost in the world until they met a roomful of people just like them.


Hmmmm organized chaos theory... ... how the world was formed according to some....... sorry just got in from another thread and it is some times hard for me to switch gears!!!!!

I am gathering you are talking about a small group of folks and you are interested in getting in more folks.... the only thing harder than getting alcoholics in a circle is herding cats but what is even harder than herding cats is getting a bunch of ADDers going in a direction..... some one has to have a direction if your going to get any where!!

Other wise I haven't really left the previous thread "Meta-Minds" at all.......no direction is like moderator, round and round...... :eyebrow:

..................or ...................

as in case of previous thread mentioned many directions at once-works okay for small percentage/small groups only/not larger ones with multiple ways of thinking and approaching the topic of ADD!

Meta mind thread has done well so far because the groups is small and we all have similar approaches…..ways of thinking…..relating to our ADD

For those who have been around a while know first hand; you get to many people on one thread who see ADD in many different ways the debates begin, flames get thrown, and chaos could quickly ensue…….but doesn’t for long……..because staff is able to close threads until every one cools down or starts another thread on some one else’s section to argue in!!! Then moderators in that section get to do the same thing we just did………again!

My point is the “chaos” theory is okay for small groups of similar minded people but when you begin talking diversities some structure needs to be in place or you may find rapid chaos and conflict fueled by ADD passions!!!

Using this message board although not done face to face in real time (okay I am really back) does a good job of representing some of the structure needed to run a support group successfully!

Oh and the answer a question asked earlier I don't go to face to face support groups because I work weird hours and am often at work when these things meet.... before I took on the part time nursing job I looked into the Meet up group here (well in Austin) but most of the other participants were college students...okay I have children who are college students!!!!

This forum provides me access to people who of my age group, and are up weird hours like I am, even if they aren't being awake at different hours doesn't stop us from being able to converse!

I will be honest there are small groups of people here who live close enough together to actually meet and go do things and some times I do envy them that! Being all the way down here in Texas we are spread to far apart to make face to face meeting a reality....even if I meet others from the same state we can still be talking a five hour drive one way!

I think I have actually private message two others who also live in Texas.....Texas is a big state!

There's a CHADD meeting in a neighboring town. I know because I looked it up on the CHADD site. I've never gone.
I'd LOVE to meet others like me face to face, but I'm SO SHY in the real world. And I'd be going all alone, which I guess is what I'd prefer.
I've never been to the location so I'm afraid of driving there - even though I have a GPS in my car. What about parking?? GPSs don't tell you where to park!! Parking can be hell! Especially in those parking garages! I have NEVER and will NEVER tackle one of THOSE!!!

*deep breathing*

Okay...so as much as I'd love to mingle with people like me, that is why I haven't gone.
Maybe you guys could talk me into going?

Hmmmm organized chaos theory... ... how the world was formed according to some....... No Mead, no chaos. At least not intentionally. There is chaos in the meeting I currently attend, but there is no attempt by the organizer to avoid the chaos. I think he rather enjoys it. I don't.
I am gathering you are talking about a small group of folks and you are interested in getting in more folks.... There are 75 people signed up for the group I attend. In the last meeting we had 5 people showed up. I firmly believe that we could have much more success with keeping people. There are some problems with how we are organized and how the meetings are conducted that I hope to fix when I start my own group. I'm learning that there are some pretty simple things you can do to make a group more successful. Here's a website with some helpful info
http://www.parenttoparent.org/Sup-run-t.htm It's not specificly for ADD'ers though. Thats the info I'm looking for now.
the only thing harder than getting alcoholics in a circle is herding cats but what is even harder than herding cats is getting a bunch of ADDers going in a direction..... some one has to have a direction if your going to get any where!! From my experience so far, I think I know how successfu you can be without any organization, structure or direction. Not very. I'm trying to cover all the bases and cross all the t's. And I have every expectation of wild success.
My point is the “chaos” theory is okay for small groups of similar minded people but when you begin talking diversities some structure needs to be in place or you may find rapid chaos and conflict fueled by ADD passions!!!
Absolutely. But the question is how much structure and what kind of structure. You can crush a good vibe with too much structure. But you can't get much done without some structure. The best structure for meetings, I presume is one that isn't obvious. Its kinda like watching a show on tv. They all have a structure that increases and even peaks your interest, but isn't obvious. Or the news magazine structure. It organizes and presents info in an organized and interesting way. Its meant to get the info across in an understandable way and to keep you tuned in.

There are several types of groups. A discussion group is much like the ADDforums. Then there is the peer support group. I like both styles. I'm thinking of ways to incorporate both styles in the strucure of the meetings.

This forum provides me access to people who of my age group, and are up weird hours like I am, even if they aren't being awake at different hours doesn't stop us from being able to converse!Yes, there's nothing else like the forums. Nothing else can do what the forums do. When I get home from a support group meeting, I still want to login to the forums to see whats up. Support is a good thing. It should come in many flavors. Family, friends, professional, peers, online, face-to-face, etc.

Thats all for now I gotta take my dog to the vet.

I wanted to join the ADD group in my area, back in Ohio, but believe it or not- that group was defunct because they could never find someone to organize it.
And I had no intentions of being the official organizer- I had too much on my plate, I just wanted to go to the meets...and yeah, once in a while..maybe share in organizing them- but I wasn't going to do it 'full time'. So that was out.

I recently looked for a group in the MD area, and they do have monthly meetups, in a nearby area. And depending if my schedule is free that evening (the meetups fall on a Monday night) I may choose to go or not. (0:

I do agree that it is a great way to socialize with others, who have similar 'like' behavioral traits. (0:

Nova

No Mead, no chaos. At least not intentionally. There is chaos in the meeting I currently attend, but there is no attempt by the organizer to avoid the chaos. I think he rather enjoys it. I don't.

Few do......although most don't mind some chaos total chaos isn't very supportive and even less informative!


They all have a structure that increases and even peaks your interest, but isn't obvious.

Correct.....most are unaware of the organizational structure behind most larger 12-step programs....but those of any size do have "support" staff who are responsible for certain functions. Some even have ethics committees to handle "conflict issues"

There are several types of groups. A discussion group is much like the ADD forums. Then there is the peer support group. I like both styles. I'm thinking of ways to incorporate both styles in the structure of the meetings.


Which by the way can be done.....

I have to go to work right now....half in pajama’s other half in uniform...must reach fashion consensus here in next ten minutes......I will return tonight around 10:00pm or early tomorrow morning (2:00am)-depends on if night shift comes in- and look at hyperlink site, and continue discussion...

Gotta go ba-hum-bug to work!

I wanted to join the ADD group in my area, back in Ohio, but believe it or not- that group was defunct because they could never find someone to organize it.
And I had no intentions of being the official organizer- I had too much on my plate, I just wanted to go to the meets...and yeah, once in a while..maybe share in organizing them- but I wasn't going to do it 'full time'. So that was out.Nova, many hands make light work:) . If there were others interested you could have divided the duties. You might have discovered that you enjoyed it. You seem to have an active mind and a pleasant personality. You might have bloomed in the role of organiser, or facilitator, or greeter, or designated coffee brewer;).

I recently looked for a group in the MD area, and they do have monthly meetups, in a nearby area. And depending if my schedule is free that evening (the meetups fall on a Monday night) I may choose to go or not. (0:

I do agree that it is a great way to socialize with others, who have similar 'like' behavioral traits. (0:
NovaI intend to work through Meetup as well. They make it quite easy and much less time consuming to organise the group. I've actually looked up the MD meetup group's site. They seem active and smart. The group I go to now is run through meetup. I won't say which one because I don't want my organiser to think I'm dumping on him. He really is a good guy.

The goal of my support group will be simply to support the ADD'er dealing with the issues and concerns of living with AD(H)D.
I like that: Living with ADHD.

Stated positively.

How about: Living well with AD(H)D.



As for the 75 members with only 5 attendees. That, I'll bet, is a success and not so unusual. People seek support when they are in pain, or are looking for answers right here and now. These feeling pass.


Apples, Oranges? Mixed Nuts! Oh MY! Know where I'm going with this?


ADDForums does work pretty well for support.

It is chaotic, but when the likes sort themselves out, we can get along peacably, as Tammy pointed out.

The Chaos has produced eddies at different levels of organization; the Forums have balkanized into a number of specific and not so specific interest groups and sub-groups.

You see the same thing in the larger XAs (AA, NA). There are very specific meetings for gay, lesbian, men, women, young people, dual diagnosed, and offshoots like CODA, Adult Children of Alcoholics and other As.




I recently looked for a group in the MD area, and they do have monthly meetups, in a nearby area. And depending if my schedule is free that evening (the meetups fall on a Monday night) I may choose to go or not. (0:

I do agree that it is a great way to socialize with others, who have similar 'like' behavioral traits. (0:

I hear ya, Nova.
I'm there , checking out other peoples ADD support groups in the SF Bay Area, when I have time.

Probably like a lot of people.


BTW, great story of your successful efforts, Tammy. Thanks.

I like that: Living with ADHD.
Stated positively.
How about: Living well with AD(H)D

Thank you.;) I like the "living well" part but it does conjure images of Martha Stewart mixing martinis prior to dancing the Tango with Robert Goulet.:D


As for the 75 members with only 5 attendees. That, I'll bet, is a success and not so unusual. People seek support when they are in pain, or are looking for answers right here and now. These feeling pass.
This is true, but I did perform an unscientific experiment and based on this experiment I think I can increase attendance exponentially beyond the 6.5% that the 5 of 75 ratio expresses. It will take a substantial amount of effort to maintain, but I'm thinking of setting caps of 25 before breaking off to satelite groups. I want to dot this city with groups. Then the state, country and world, in that order.

You see the same thing in the larger XAs (AA, NA). There are very specific meetings for gay, lesbian, men, women, young people, dual diagnosed, and offshoots like CODA, Adult Children of Alcoholics and other As.

I'm afraid I'm almost completely ignorant of 12 step groups. I've had drinking problems myself, but managed to get it under control without AA. And I don't see ADD'ers as in need of the 12 step process for ADD traits. Perhaps if there are alcohol, drug, violence, etc. issues they should seek out those kinds of groups as well or instead of an ADD support group. In past posts I may have used the example of AA, but only in the sense of a successful support group.

We currently have few if any ADD/ADHD groups in Toronto, ON, Canada. Hard to beleive for a city of 4 Million, isn't it?

Apparently one hospital ADHD Doctor started one -- but i understood it "got rowdy"!!

OMG.


As for ways to describe how I feel about Adult ADHD -- I like this -- "ADD - It's not what you think".