How do ADHD support groups address forgetfulness issues?

PostedNovember 17, 2025

UpdatedNovember 18, 2025

ByMy Patient Advice

Author: Phoebe Carter, MSc | Reviewed by: Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

ADHD support groups do far more than share experiences; they create structure, accountability, and connection. For many adults with ADHD, forgetfulness isn’t a sign of carelessness, but a result of executive dysfunction, the brain’s difficulty managing memory, focus, and time. According to NHS guidance (2024), group support can help turn these challenges into shared learning rather than solitary frustration.

Why group support helps with ADHD forgetfulness

The Royal College of Psychiatrists (2023) explains that peer support groups provide both practical and emotional benefits. Many adults with ADHD describe feeling ashamed of their forgetfulness or worried that others see them as unreliable. Group settings normalise these experiences, helping people see that memory lapses are neurological, not moral failings.

NHS guidance notes that peer groups encourage routine, motivation, and self-compassion by introducing shared reminders, check-ins, and organisational strategies. When you’re surrounded by people who understand the same struggles, it’s easier to stay consistent and less likely that guilt will derail your confidence.

What the research shows

A 2023 study in Frontiers in Psychology found that ADHD support groups improve memory strategies and executive functioning through a mix of psychoeducation and peer accountability. Participants reported feeling more consistent with time management and less emotionally isolated.

Similarly, a Lancet Psychiatry review (2022) found that group-based CBT and peer networks help adults with ADHD manage forgetfulness, time-blindness, and emotional burnout. These programmes teach structure, self-forgiveness, and resilience, skills that grow stronger in a community setting.

The NICE Guideline NG87 (2023 update) also recommend psychoeducation and group therapy as part of standard ADHD care, showing that group interventions improve both self-esteem and daily organisation.

What happens in ADHD support groups

NHS and RCPsych experts describe ADHD groups as safe, structured spaces that blend education with empathy. Common group practices include:

Accountability check-ins: Sharing goals and progress keeps tasks on track.

Practical systems: Members swap ideas for reminders, planners, and visual aids.

Emotional validation: Hearing “me too” reduces guilt and isolation.

Psychoeducation: Learning how ADHD affects memory reframes self-blame into understanding.

Digital peer groups: Online communities extend this support between meetings.

Private services such as ADHD Certify offer post-diagnostic coaching and connections to local or virtual peer groups, helping adults manage executive challenges, and build supportive networks.

The takeaway

ADHD support groups do more than tackle forgetfulness, they rebuild confidence. By sharing strategies, understanding setbacks, and celebrating small wins, adults with ADHD can move from frustration to self-acceptance. With structure and community, remembering what matters most becomes easier, including remembering your own progress.

Phoebe Carter, MSc

Author

Phoebe Carter is a clinical psychologist with a Master’s in Clinical Psychology and a Bachelor’s in Applied Psychology. She has experience working with both children and adults, conducting psychological assessments, developing individualized treatment plans, and delivering evidence-based therapies. Phoebe specialises in neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD, and learning disabilities, as well as mood, anxiety, psychotic, and personality disorders. She is skilled in CBT, behaviour modification, ABA, and motivational interviewing, and is dedicated to providing compassionate, evidence-based mental health care to individuals of all ages.

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.