Im 20 with ADHD and dont know what to do. | ADHD Information
Hey everyone, Im 20 and Ive had issues my entire life with ADHD. Im getting ready to make an attempt at college but Im afraid to fail like I did with highschool. All of my teachers angry at me for not living up to what they thought I could be. I want to change that.
Im pretty poor. I dont have the money to goto a doctor or pay for medication. Are there any free clinics? How would I go about getting medication?
I work but I feel like im going to be fired for not being able to stay on task.. This would be disasterous to me and my family. Any help you could provide I would apreciate! thank you so much!
DeathbyBears (now there is a creative nick)
I cant help you much with your requests as I am in Australia and dont know enough about your medical system there (except that is sux). But I wish you luck and want you to know that Your Best is Good Enough. It doesnt matter if it is not what others think your best is.
That is something that haunts us a lot throughout life. Living up to family expectations. Trust me - we are never good enough for some parents. So just pat yourself on the back for what you think is an achievement, even if that is remembering to put your underpants on everyday.
Big things get easier, if we start to appreciate our little successes, well this has worked for me.
Good luck - I hope you find something suitable
P.S. I am a real abstract thinker and for some strange reasons I had this strange Idea. Why not put an ad in the paper asking for someone who may be interested in paying for your meds. Tell your story and see. There are a lot of people out there with lots of money, that may want to do a good deed - who knows! Got nothing to loose. Like I said it is a weird idea - but I have plenty of those....
Cheers.
Hey deathbybears....i'm almost 20 myself...have never been able to stay on task...i dropped out of college and now i'm working at some job with crap prospects....i got my diagnosis of adhd and i take ritalin...it's excellent...helps you maintain focus and stuff...that should work for you but do you have any other problems with social relationships etc?? do you get bored talking to people...i think if it's just an academic issue you are lucky coz that's very treatable!Haha yeah, I have alot of social problems. I mean, people like me I guess, I just cant stand how bored other people make me. I end up having more fun hanging out reading a book or hanging out with my little brothers.
Id like at some point to be able to say go out to eat with a group of people and have a great time, but Im more concerned with getting my academic life into gear. Thanks so much ^_^
You could certainly go to your your local mental health center. That is where I went when I was in college, and I met a very nice intern psychiatrist who helped me tremendously. At first they wern't going to take me, but I made a scene by crying uncontrollably<---an ADD trick! He prescribed desimipramine, which litterally changed my life and allowed me to excell in college.Ooo that would help me so much! I live in Los Angeles California. Its pretty hard to get help from anyone around here. So I should just go down there and give it a shot eh?
Thats me with a funny hat on. I figure its more fun to have a face to connect text with.
Thanks so much for all the kindness you guys have shared ^_^
Deathbybears38380.1440277778Hi Deathbybears..perhaps you should check out your state mental health agencies. Check out the link below. I hope this helps.
NCD - State Mental Health Agencies
Death by bears,
I applaud you for recognizing your problem. The greatest thing you could do is get help so you can lead a productive adult life. You'll be so glad you did. I know we are glad we got help for our son, who has add. The side effects from the drug were hard to deal with the first week, but they went away after that.
When we first moved to our state we didn't have health insurance for our kids and they were sick and we went to the Department of Human Services and they base your visit and meds on your income. You also may see a psychologist to get a proper diagnosis, through them. Look in your local phone book under Department of Human Services if you're not sure which number to call, just call the main number and they'll be able to help you.
Also here are some websites for getting medications at little or no cost once you are able to see a doctor.
<http://www.needymeds.com/>
<http://www.freemedicineprogram.com/>
<http://headaches.about.com/cs/rxassistance/>
<http://organtx.org/rxassist.htm>
<http://www.helpingpatients.org/>
<http://www.phillsmith.com/drugs.htm>
<http://rxcaresforme.org/>
Here is a phone number also that may be able to help you. The Hill Burton organization 800-638-0742 gives grants to people who need medical care, but don't have insurance.
Our son has ADD and we were so glad to get the proper diagnosis and meds for him. Remember also to give medications at least 2 weeks to determine if they are working. Ask for a free trial offer too. We got a 30 day supply free by asking the doctor for a sample. They give you a sample card to take to the pharmacy for the first 30 doses. I'm not sure what the Health Department does.
Hope this was helpful. 
http://www.adderallxr.com/default.asp?cat=17&RCID=1.
Scroll to the bottom to find the program. Shire created it for people with
lower incomes and without an insurance plan. If you qualify they send
you a prescription card. It only requires a .00 copay. I pay a
copay. Wrxified38381.9504050926
DeathbyBears - can't help myself, my mother side is taking over
TAKE THOSE GOD DAMN THINGS OUT OF YOUR LIPS - ARRGGHHH LOL
Wow, you guys are all too nice :)! thanks so much!!! Hm, I dont even have a doctor. I havent been in a quite a while. How do I go about getting tested for adhd? (my mom tells me that I was on cylert when I was 8 for maybe a week but she took me off of it because she didnt like my attitude)Hey deathbybears,
I was just diagnosed with ADD about 2 years ago. I'm 21 now. My doctor put me on Concerta... man did it ever change my life!!! Unfortuently I started college before I was diagnosed, and I was only 17 y/o. When I started taking medication, my marks went from a 50% average (with serveral fails) to an 80% average, and I made it on the Dean's List. Don't let teachers or parents get you down with their exepectations/pressures. Learn to have some confidence in yourself. I learned that a lot of people with AD/HD have self-esteam issues because they never found any strengths in their life. Don't be afraid of college... it's not as bad as you might think. I'm pretty sure that the colleges in the U.S. must provide "Learning support services" (I get extra test time, a separate room to write tests, work with a learning strategist, note taker, texts on audio tape, and Palm Pilot to help keep myself organized)... College is great for offering help! Also, I'm not sure about the Colleges in the U.S. but in Canada, they offer an extended health plan which is about 0/year, and it covers 80% of your prescription costs. See if there are any private/government grants or bursaries for people with diabilities... If you're not sure you have AD/HD I would see your family doctor (one who's experienced in diagnosing AD/HD)
Check out some of the colleges in your area...
Good Luck!
Hey man... im 19 and got diagnosed about 8 months ago with passive (non-hyperactve) add. I've been on dexamphatamine (changing dose to suit me) since then, and my uni scores went from all fails to passes and credits. im on my way to the TOP! I feel better about myself (except for the drug come-downs.. sometimes theyre brutal), and people actually seem to want to know me. like rcouchm said, i get special treatment in exams at uni. i thought this would piss people off, but everyone seems to support me to the end and some people actually prodded me to get the special treatment. im not sure abou your health plans, but i have a govt. health care card over here, and the cost of my pills is now .80 for 200, as opposed to + for a bottle off 100.
If youre still not sure about getting tested, i say go for it dude... it can only help.
Deathbybears and All:There is always help out there if you need it. If you go to college, most universities have a counseling center that will test you at discounted or even free rates.
Also, it is important that you get tested for ADD. If you do have ADD, your whole life can change if you receive treatment. Even if it means sacrificing to save the money, it will be worth it.
If you need any advice, contact me at : dkearby@indiana.edu. I am 22, in college, and can help you out.