ADHD Support Groups - Why Joining One Can Help You

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition that can have a significant impact on your quality of life when you don't get the proper care and support. Whether you have ADHD or whether a family member or friend has been diagnosed with it, joining an ADHD support group can help you deal better with the disorder.

ADHD support groups enable ADHD adults or parents of ADHD children to talk with people who are going through a similar situation. They also provide information and guidance to help you understand and deal with this disorder. You will be able to discuss coping strategies as a sufferer or as a parent to an ADHD child.

Local ADHD support groups meet regularly, at least once a month. These groups may meet at a local church, school or hospital. They offer the opportunity to meet with other people in your area. Look for support groups that cater to your special needs. For example, parents who have children with ADHD may choose to join an ADHD parent support group. Likewise, there are support groups for ADHD adult. Other support groups may cater to teens, teachers or family members.

Support groups often give out literature containing useful information about ADHD. They also provide local resources that you can use to help with dealing with ADHD. These resources can be invaluable. The meetings often feature guest speakers who are professionally trained in dealing with ADHD patients and their families.

Online groups are also a popular way to get support when dealing with ADHD. These groups can be found through ADHD websites. Online groups offer many of the same support systems as local groups and may be more convenient for you. Some have meetings online as webinars where you can participate in real-time. Others have message boards and forums where you can participate by giving comments and asking questions.

It can be a real challenge caring for an ADHD child. The unpredictable behaviors of the child can be overwhelming and stressful for the family members to handle. There are often many issues that can occur which you may not fully understand. Other people who have been through similar situations can give you advice on how to handle things. Meeting these people through ADHD support groups can make you feel that you are not alone and you don't have to go through it on your own.

If there are no support groups locally, you may want to consider starting your own ADHD support group. Gather literature and talk to others who may have an interest in joining this group. Find a local place to meet such as a library, at a church or community center. Advertise your group to attract interested members. You can invite local professionals to speak at your meetings. The meetings should allow some time to network with other members. Include an open forum setting where people can discuss problems or questions that they may have.

Find excellent resources on ADHD support groups, books, guides and herbal remedies at www.guidetoadhd.com

The Weird Truth About Hyperactivity and ADHD - How One Family Coped

A startling report in the British press reveals that some so-called hyperactive children are just being naughty and do NOT suffer from ADHD. Experts decided to examine a group of 52 children who were supposedly hyperactive and found that only 6 were actually suffering from ADHD or some other mental disorder. This experiment , and it must be said it is a very limited one, suggests that hyperactivity and ADHD is being overestimated especially by school teachers who want a quieter life.

Here is a story which I thought I would share with you about a couple who were at the end of their rope when they had to deal with a hyperactive child. This child really had ADHD ! The mother became so desperate that she did not know where to turn. Fortunately for her, one of her university college colleagues was setting up clinical and counselling treatment units to deal with hyperactivity and ADHD.

They immediately got on well because they were both convinced that Ritalin and the other psychostimulants were no way to deal with hyperactivity and ADHD. They knew that there were alternative remedies for ADHD such as a homeopathic remedy which would be far less damaging to their child's development. Her colleague favoured changes in diet, counselling and behavior modification.

The first thing they did was to make one change in their son's diet. They gave him Omega 3 fatty acid supplements and followed the Durham County schools diet program which was giving some really encouraging results.

The second thing they did was to investigate the special educational needs and facilities which were on offer at the local schools for kids with ADHD. Their son very quickly began to make progress.

Both parents are convinced that the Omega 3 pills have taken the edge off their son's hyperactivity and together with counselling on behavior modification, they have learnt parenting strategies in coping with hyperactivity. They also make sure that their son gets enough green time and exercise as that can help too in getting rid of some of the hyperactivity.

Because hyperactive kids tend to be in the front line as regards getting into trouble, they always feel that they are unloved, even by their own parents. This is where parents can help to build their self esteem - just by being affectionate and reassuring them. They also need to learn social skills as they tend to be ostracised at school and in the playground.

Coping with hyperactivity and ADHD can be summed up in changes in parents' attitudes by taking counselling or participating in a behavior modification program, a few changes in diet and reassuring their children that ADHD should be regarded as a difference rather than a disease or a disorder. By choosing a homeopathic remedy for ADHD, parents can also help their children become calmer while applying some of the coping mechanisms I have mentioned above.

Robert Locke is a Health enthusiast who specializes in Children's Health. He has written extensively on ADHD. Discover how hyperactivity and ADHD can be treated without harmful drugs.