While there are many online resources for adults with ADHD, a local support group can provide a more beneficial experience for many who are coping with ADHD, especially those who feel alone. For parents, children and adults with ADD and ADHD in the Australian Capital Territory area, The Canberra & Queanbeyan ADD Support Group, also known as ADDACT, provides an opportunity to meet peers and break free from the sense of isolation that can often come with a diagnosis.
When you join a support group or attend a meeting, you no longer have to feel “different.” Support groups help you see that you’re not alone. The aims and objectives of ADDACT are to create community awareness of ADHD in children and adults by providing:
- Access to information and reference material
- A sympathetic ear
- Support and sharing experiences
- Reduced rate of entry into seminars on the subject;
- Qualified speakers who understand about ADHD;
- Advocacy on behalf of ADHD families e.g. with politicians or government
- A telephone support service and, in some cases of crisis, instant support
- And more!
The meetings for ADDACT are typically held on the first Sunday of each month at Canberra College. You can see the ADDACT calendar of events here. There is a very supportive atmosphere at ADDACT. As they say, “Give yourself permission to not go it alone. Exchange ideas and stories and learn to ‘be there’ for each other.”
It really is that simple. Attending a support group for ADHD may provide a transformative experience for some – the break from isolation can be quite freeing. For others, it may be a more subtle feeling of improved self-esteem and well-being that grows over time. My point is, you don’t need “overnight” results to feel like you’ve achieved something from attending a group. Attending successive meetings can help you build a sense of belonging and community that will make it easier to manage ADHD as an adult in the long-term.
For those who are unable to attend meetings, ADDACT offers a telephone support line on their website as well. Their support line is for questions about coping with ADHD as an adult, as a parent with a child who has ADHD, or – as we have been seeing more frequently – as a parent with ADHD who has children with the condition as well.
ADDACT accepts donations and they are a registered charity in Australia. Their work supporting people with ADHD in the Australian Capital Territory is driven by volunteers and their contribution to the community is truly a labor of love.
Whether you live in the ACT, elsewhere in Australia, or around the world, finding a support group is an important part of coping with ADHD as an adult. You don’t have to go it alone, and there are plenty of groups like ADDACT throughout Australia. I’ll be featuring more over the next few posts.
Dr Mahendra Perera is a General Psychiatrist who treats adult patients in Melbourne, Australia. Dr Perera has specific interests in ADHD, Mood Disorders and Addiction. In addition working with his patients, he has also contributed to research across a number of specialties and helped many young doctors make their way in the medical field. Learn more about Dr Perera.
Please note: Dr Perera has no financial arrangement with any of the providers listed on the site. These resources are provided as a courtesy to patients, and are not intended as a recommendation or endorsement.