Last updated: March 2026

Community Code of Conduct

Welcome to the Thriving Divergent community! We’re so glad you’re here. This is a space built specifically for adults with ADHD, and that shapes everything about how we show up for one another. Many of us are navigating late diagnoses, unlearning years of shame, and figuring out how our brains work for the first time. That shared experience is what makes this community special, and this Code of Conduct exists to protect it.

By participating, you agree to uphold these principles.

1 – Respectful Communication

We value open and honest communication, always delivered with kindness.

• Be courteous: even when disagreements arise, communicate your thoughts respectfully.

• Active listening: try to understand other perspectives before responding.

• Avoid personal attacks: focus on ideas, not individuals.

• Think before you post: consider how your words might land for someone who may already be carrying a lot.

We also know that ADHD can make communication impulsive. If you post something in the heat of the moment that you later regret, reach out to Orla. We will always consider context and intent.

2 – Rejection Sensitivity and Feedback

Many of us experience Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD), which means that criticism, even when kindly intended, can feel disproportionately painful. Please keep this in mind when offering feedback or disagreeing with another member.

• Frame feedback around actions or observations, not the person.

• Be specific and where possible, offer an alternative perspective rather than just a critique.

• Be open to receiving feedback as an opportunity to learn.

• Assume good intent: most people here are doing their best.

If you receive feedback that lands badly, it is okay to step away before responding. You do not have to engage in the moment.

3 – Inclusive Environment

Our community thrives on diversity. We embrace and celebrate people of all backgrounds, experiences, and identities.

• Welcome everyone: make an effort to be warm and inclusive, especially to new members who may be arriving in a vulnerable moment.

• No gatekeeping: every member’s experience is valid, regardless of how long they have been diagnosed or how their ADHD presents.

• Share the space: ensure everyone has an opportunity to contribute.

   

4 – Privacy and Confidentiality

This is one of the most important sections for our community. Members regularly share deeply personal experiences here, including diagnosis histories, mental health struggles, relationship difficulties, and things they may never have said out loud before. That trust is sacred and must be protected by every member.

• What is shared in this community stays in this community. Do not share, screenshot, or repeat anything a member has shared here outside of this space, under any circumstances.

• Public posts are visible to all community members. Be mindful of what you share in this space and consider your own comfort with that visibility before posting.

• Private direct messages between members are not visible to Thriving Divergent. They are between you and the other person. Please build trust gradually before sharing anything particularly personal or sensitive in DMs.

• Do not share another member’s personal information, story, or experience with anyone outside the community, even anonymously.

5 – No Harassment or Discrimination

Harassment and discrimination have no place here. We have zero tolerance for:

• Offensive comments related to gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, religion, neurodivergence, or any other personal attribute.

• Intimidation, threats, or persistent unwanted contact.

• Unwanted sexual attention of any kind.

• Humour that degrades others, particularly when it targets protected characteristics or lived experiences.

This includes well-intentioned comments that land as dismissive, such as “everyone’s a little ADHD” or “have you tried meditation?” We ask all members to be thoughtful about minimising others’ experiences.

6 – No Professional Advice

Jane and Orla are qualified professionals, but nothing shared in this community, by them or by other members, constitutes professional medical, psychological, or legal advice. Please do not present yourself as qualified to advise others on medication, diagnosis, or treatment.

Sharing your own experience is always welcome. Telling someone what they should do about theirs is different. If a member appears to be in crisis, please encourage them to seek professional support and flag it to Orla.

7 – Appropriate Content

• Stay on topic: share content that relates to ADHD, mental health, and the themes of the community.

• No spam or unsolicited self-promotion.

• Respect intellectual property: do not share copyrighted material without permission or proper attribution.

• Avoid sharing content that is explicit, hateful, or likely to cause distress.

8 – Consequences for Violations

We are a small, close-knit community and our bar for moderation is high. We will always consider context, intent, and the full picture before taking any action. That said, where the safety or wellbeing of a member is at risk, we will act promptly. Consequences may include:

• A private, supportive conversation with Orla to address what happened.

• A temporary pause from the community.

• In serious cases, permanent removal from the community.

9 – Reporting

If you experience or witness something that does not feel right, please tell us. Your concern will be treated with complete confidentiality and taken seriously.

• Direct message Orla Fitzmaurice within the community.

• Email info@thrivingdivergent.com.

When reporting, please share as much detail as you are comfortable providing, including what happened, who was involved, and when and where it occurred. Screenshots are helpful if you have them.

You will never be made to feel like a burden for raising a concern. That is what we are here for.

Thank you for helping us make Thriving Divergent a place where people feel genuinely safe to show up as they are. This community is only as good as the people in it, and we are very glad you are one of them.