Why I Love My ADHD Tribe

Written By Cynthia Hammer, MSW

Written by Cynthia Hammer, MSW

Ever since my diagnosis in 1992 with Inattentive ADHD, I have focused on improving myself and helping others with this disorder.  That was the lens I used—what’s wrong and how can I help?  Even now, when I participate in the Adults with Inattentive ADHD Facebook Group, my posts typically give advice about what helped me with my Inattentive ADHD. In spite of knowing that what you pay attention to grows, I paid attention for the last 28 years to what’s challenging and hurtful for people with ADHD.  But last night my focus changed, and I fell in love.

What sparked my newly found love?  

A woman posted a request to our Facebook Group.  She wrote that she spent too much time sitting on the couch watching TV, and asked the community to suggest hobbies she might pursue.  Generally, posts asking for responses receive 25 to 50, but the responses to the hobby request exceeded 175! 

It suddenly dawned on me that people with ADHD are caring and ready to help in any way they can.  Their responses for suggestions were helpful and occasionally cheeky and humorous which only increased my admiration. What innovative and creative people there are in my tribe.

I loved their excitement and happiness as they described their passions for knitting, diamond painting, mountain biking, photography, woodworking, growing crystals, and so many other hobbies.  Often, their responses included samples of their hobbies.  I kept smiling as I eagerly read every entry and became filled with wonder at the talents on display.

The next day I went back to the Facebook Group to save some of their comments to share with you. I wanted you to fall in love, if you haven’t yet, with your tribe, just as I did last night.  Love makes everything better.

Cynthia Hammer, MSW

Cynthia Hammer, MSW, was diagnosed with inattentive ADHD in 1992 when she was 49 years old. The following year she created the non-profit organization, ADD Resources, with a mission to educate adults and helping professionals about ADHD in adults. She ran the organization for 15 years before retiring.

During the Covid isolation she wrote a book about her life with inattentive ADHD which should be published by the end of this year. In writing the book, she was dismayed to learn that children with inattentive ADHD continue to be under-diagnosed and adults with inattentive ADHD often are incorrectly diagnosed with depression or anxiety.

She created a new non-profit in 2021, the Inattentive ADHD Coalition (www.iadhd.org), to create more awareness about inattentive ADHD and the need for early diagnosis and treatment.

https://www.iadhd.org
Previous

How to Change Bad Habits
Next

It’s Important to Change Your Self Talk When You Have ADHD