Leaning on Existing ADHD Support and Resources
One of the quiet burdens of ADHD is the belief that you’re meant to work things out on your own.
That if you’re struggling, it must be because you haven’t tried hard enough, organised yourself well enough, or found the right system yet. ADHD has a way of shrinking our world until it feels like we’re the only one sitting in this chair, facing this particular challenge.
But Erica Glessing’s lived experience offers a lovely reframe: There’s help for this. Support and resources are available – it’s just a matter of being curious enough to find them.
As an author, publisher, and parent of three neurodivergent children, Erica has learned that support doesn’t usually arrive as a dramatic breakthrough. More often, it’s already nearby waiting to be noticed, trusted, and used.
“There are more resources available than we’re aware of. So get curious and look. There’s a lot less shame when you realise you don’t have to do it all alone.”
— Erica Glessing, ADHDifference
This isn’t about shortcuts or dependency. It’s about recognising that many people have sat where you’re sitting now — and that their experience, tools, and insights can ease the load you’re carrying.
Why It Works
ADHD often comes with challenges around planning, prioritising, decision-making, and follow-through. When those systems are stretched, the brain can default to isolation-based thinking:
I should be able to do this myself.
If I need help, something’s wrong with me.
Everyone else seems to manage — why can’t I?
This way of thinking adds shame on top of difficulty.
Recognising that help already exists interrupts that cycle. It reminds us that support isn’t a sign of failure. It’s a normal response to being human in a complex world.
For ADHD brains in particular, leaning on existing resources reduces the pressure to invent perfect systems, make every decision from scratch or rely solely on willpower. Instead, we move toward shared solutions, familiarity, and relief.
When to Use It
This mindset can be grounding if:
- you feel overwhelmed and unsure where to start
- you’ve tried to do everything independently and feel exhausted
- shame or self-judgement is creeping in
- you resist help even when it’s available
- you already have resources around you that you haven’t leaned into
If you find yourself restarting, avoiding, or silently struggling this is often the moment to remember: there’s help for this.
How to Use It
Help doesn’t have to be formal or overwhelming. Often, it’s much simpler than we expect.
It might be:
- books, podcasts, or content created by people who’ve been there
- community groups or online spaces where ADHD is understood
- professionals who offer structure and perspective
- tools or routines you’ve already tried and can return to
Sometimes the help isn’t new. It’s just something you’ve forgotten you’re allowed to use.
- You don’t need a big plan. Just start noticing.
- Look around for what already exists — tools, people, routines, ideas
- Say yes to help, even if it feels uncomfortable at first
- Follow curiosity and interest — engagement often comes more easily there
This isn’t about doing more. It’s about not doing everything alone.
The Science Behind It
Research consistently shows that perceived social support plays a crucial role in emotional wellbeing.
A 2022 study found that higher levels of perceived social support were associated with lower symptoms of anxiety and depression across adults, including those with ADHD traits. The sense of belonging and external support acted as a buffer against emotional distress.
Feeling held, understood, and supported directly impacts mental health and resilience.1
💬 Final Thought
When it comes to figuring out what to do, how to cope with ADHD challenges, you don’t need to create the perfect system from scratch by yourself. Others have sat in your chair. Others have asked the same questions. Others have found ways through and left markers behind.
There is no shame in seeking support, only strength in recognising what works and leaning into it. You were never meant to carry this by yourself.
There is help for this.
🎧 Listen to the full episode with Erica Glessing (S2E25) here 🎧
REFERENCES
- Connolly, R.D., Lamont, A., Speed, D. (2022). Perceived Social Support on the Relationship Between ADD/ADHD and Both Anxious and Depressive Symptoms Among Canadian Adults