Congratulations! If you’re new to adult ADHD, you’ve found your best source of information you can trust, resources you can count on and caring people you can connect with.
At ADDA, the Attention Deficit Disorder Association, we’re a little different (ok, we’re really a lot different!) from everyone you’ll find out there on the Internet. We certainly don’t agree with the crowd saying, “ADHD doesn’t exist”, “ADHD is just an excuse” or, “The Internet gives everyone ADHD.” We recognize adult ADHD exists, and living with it is hard.
On the other hand, we don’t come down on the side of “ADHD is a debilitating condition”, “Adults with ADHD are disabled” or “if you’re diagnosed with ADHD, give up all hope for a normal life.” We believe there are safe, extremely effective, scientifically proven methods of treating and coping with the effects of ADHD. We’re here to offer you help and most of all, HOPE.
So which side ARE we on? We’re on YOUR side!
It’s Better to Learn
Educating yourself on your ADHD and how it manifests will help you understand what resources will serve you best. ADDA members have free access to amazing resources. Every page of our Web site is filled with trustworthy, accurate information of value to adults with ADHD.
On top of that, for our members, we have an enormous library of articles on virtually every aspect of adult ADHD, all written by ADHD professionals and conforming to ADDA’s standards. Check out the Latest Articles section on our home page to see just how good they are. We also have an archive of Webinar recordings. ADDA’s Webinar program was one of the first offering interviews with and presentations by the leading experts in adult ADHD today, and it is still among the best. Every year, we run a program of new Webinars, all of which are also recorded and added to the archives.
But don’t take our word for it! We invite you to discover this amazing source of valuable information for yourself, completely risk free. When you subscribe to the ADDA Insider, ADDA’s free monthly newsletter, you get excellent articles written just for you and you immediately receive a sampling of these excellent recordings absolutely free.
It’s Better to Know
Many adults who suspect they have ADHD don’t get tested. They don’t complain, they don’t ask for help. They suffer in silence. But with that approach, you’re suffering needlessly. What’s worse though, is that your family and your friends are suffering needlessly as well. There is hope, and there is help available.
An ADHD diagnosis is not a death sentence, nor does it guarantee a lifetime of taking pills. Medication is not always effective, and there are many adults with ADHD who do not want medication as part of their treatment plan. However, unless you know you have adult ADHD, no one can help. If you do have ADHD, you can rely on ADDA, the world’s only organization dedicated exclusively to helping adults with ADHD.
ADDA provides accurate and science-based education on treatment alternatives such as CBT, ADHD coaching, and medication, and as scientific research has proven the benefits of additional treatments, ADDA has also expanded its education efforts to include strategies such as mindfulness practice, exercise, diet and therapy.
If you suspect you have ADHD, we recommend you find out for sure. You can start right here at ADDA by taking the World Health Organization’s Adult ADHD Screener. This is not a full ADHD test, and we always recommend following up with a medical professional experienced with adult ADHD. However, this Screener can tell you if it’s worth scheduling formal testing.
It’s Better to Know What You’re Dealing With… Really
There’s a lot of misinformation about adult ADHD. There always has been, but the Internet seems to have made it much worse. It’s funny how people find it easier to believe that the scientific community, the medical establishment and “big pharma” created a conspiracy to sell medication for an “invented” condition than it is to believe people are struggling with a genetic neurological difference in their brain physiology. Not funny “ha ha.” More funny “that’s pretty sad.”
ADDA helps adults with ADHD live better lives. We seek out the latest, most effective, leading edge, research-based and scientifically proven information and resources and we share them with you. If you want to know the real story behind adult ADHD, we’ve got you covered. Here’s where you can get the facts about adult ADHD.
It’s Better to Connect
One of the most important ways ADDA helps adults with ADHD live better lives is by helping you connect, connect with other ADDA members, to connect with people living with ADHD, to connect with people who totally get you.
Some people feel strange going to a support group initially but all the people we refer to support groups who actually attend, almost all of them say they are so glad they went. You’ll discover that many other individuals are going through the same things you’re going through. At these groups, you’ll find people who are FOUNTAINS of knowledge and resources.
If you’re not lucky enough to live in an area with access to local support groups, ADDA’s got you covered there too. Check out our Virtual Peer Support Groups for ADDA members.
It’s Better to Ask for Help
Dealing with adult ADHD on your own isn’t easy. In fact, at ADDA, we’re convinced it’s not really possible. To live a full life as an adult with ADHD, you need to connect with people who get you. That includes other adults living with ADHD and the professionals who serve them. And when it comes to professionals, it’s always better to work with those who know and understand adult ADHD.
To help you find that sort of professional help, ADDA’s Professional Directory provides a searchable listing of professionals serving adults with ADHD. While you may not be able to find one close to where you live, many of them offer services by telephone or Skype and so location is rarely a restriction.
If you prefer to work with someone where you live and you can’t find one in ADDA’s Professional Directory, there are other directories available through other organizations:
- ADHD coaches specializing in many issues are available (see the ADHD Coaches organization’s Web site for a directory).
- CHADD is an organization specializing in issues related to children with ADHD, but many of their professionals also work with adults with ADHD. You may find resources that can help you.
- Additionally, Psychology Today offers a directory of physiologists and professionals you may find helpful.
It’s Better to Be a Member
ADDA contributes to the ADHD community in many ways and we invite you to benefit from all we have to offer. We want you to take advantage of all of the resources and opportunities we provide.
- Support and resources designed specifically for adults with ADHD. From webinars and articles to conferences and virtual support groups, ADDA connects adults with ADHD to the resources they need to succeed.
- Support for adults with ADHD in the workplace. ADDA helps businesses understand ADHD’s influence in the workplace and assists people with ADHD regarding performance issues and accommodation requests.
- Programming exclusively for post-secondary students. ADDA provides information and strategies to students with ADHD so they not only survive, but thrive in school.
- Advocacy in Washington, D.C. related to issues that directly impact adults with ADHD, such as discrimination faced by students seeking accommodations for high stakes testing.
- Support for adults with ADHD in the justice system. ADDA’s efforts to improve the justice system’s treatment of adults with ADHD has significantly reduced recidivism rates and created productive citizens, safer communities, more secure correctional institutions and provided considerable savings to taxpayers via cutting edge programming for adults with ADHD in the criminal justice system.
- ADHD Awareness Month programming that began in 2004 when ADDA authored U.S. Senate Resolution 390. We are founders of the ADHD Awareness Coalition and offer extensive ADHD Awareness programming.
- Research on adult ADHD. ADDA conducts, facilitates, and supports objective, professional research on diagnosis and treatment options for adults.
- The ADDA Conference: ADDA is famous for its national conference dedicated to adults with ADHD, the only live event of its kind in the world!
ADDA membership is an investment in your personal development and self-care. Invest in yourself and support your “tribe!” Learn about ADHD, get the help you need, and connect with your peers. Join our community today!