Can support groups help heal identity with ADHD? 

For many people with ADHD, identity is shaped by years of feeling different, misunderstood or criticised. Support groups offer something uniquely powerful in this journey: the chance to meet others who share similar experiences. According to UK guidance, including recommendations from NICE, peer and self-help groups can play an important role in emotional support, belonging and post-diagnostic adjustment.

Why support groups matter for identity 

Shared experience can reduce shame and internalised stigma, helping people understand that their challenges are not personal failings. NHS England’s ADHD Taskforce highlights that community-led peer support helps people build confidence, increase self-understanding and develop a more authentic sense of identity. Local NHS networks such as the SUN Network at Berkshire Healthcare report that participants often feel more accepted and more able to talk openly about their ADHD after joining a group. 

How groups help rebuild confidence and self-concept 

Peer groups offer validation, emotional normalisation and practical advice. Structured groups, like those run across North London, create space for sharing stories, reframing ADHD from deficit to difference and recognising strengths through lived experience. Research also shows that group-based CBT and coaching approaches work even better when peer support is present, reinforcing motivation and wellbeing. For those needing additional support after diagnosis, private services such as ADHD Certify note that peer connection can meaningfully complement clinical or coaching pathways. 

Key takeaway 

Support groups can play a valuable role in healing identity with ADHD. By reducing shame, building belonging and offering lived-experience insight, they help people form a more confident, compassionate and empowered sense of self. 

Avery Lombardi, MSc

Author

Avery Lombardi is a clinical psychologist with a Master’s in Clinical Psychology and a Bachelor’s in Psychology. She has professional experience in psychological assessment, evidence-based therapy, and research, working with both child and adult populations. Avery has provided clinical services in hospital, educational, and community settings, delivering interventions such as CBT, DBT, and tailored treatment plans for conditions including anxiety, depression, and developmental disorders. She has also contributed to research on self-stigma, self-esteem, and medication adherence in psychotic patients, and has created educational content on ADHD, treatment options, and daily coping strategies.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the author's privacy. 

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

Reviewer

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez is a UK-trained physician with an MBBS and experience in general surgery, cardiology, internal medicine, gynecology, intensive care, and emergency medicine. She has managed critically ill patients, stabilised acute trauma cases, and provided comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care. In psychiatry, Dr. Fernandez has worked with psychotic, mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders, applying evidence-based approaches such as CBT, ACT, and mindfulness-based therapies. Her skills span patient assessment, treatment planning, and the integration of digital health solutions to support mental well-being.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the reviewer's privacy.