Getting diagnosed | ADHD Information

Hey there. I'm a 22 year old woman with all the symptoms of severe ADHD - I've had them as long as I can remember. Last year I went to a screening day and scored waaaaaay ADHD. I talked to all the Doctors, it was all great, but I don't have health insurance, and I just let it drop. A friend with diagnosed ADD let me try some of her meds, because she'd just switched and had a whole leftover bottle (BAD, I KNOW) and the difference was astonishing. It was like putting on "Brain Glasses". It didn't make me slow or stupid, it didn't stop the rapidity of my thoughts (which I had been worried about) but it suddenly allowed me to have a "filing system" for them. My work improved, everything improved, I could think BETTER, which shocked me, I had been worried they would slow me down to the point where I couldn't feel like myself, but instead, I felt MORE like myself. I could finish trains of thought, I could finish sentences, I could finish projects - basically - I could finish things. It was amazing. Then the meds ran out and everything faded back to normal. I lost two jobs because of stupid inattentive mistakes - forgetting to write something down, or losing an important piece of paper. At the last job, I BEGGED to stay, saying "You know how hard I work, I'm the first one here, the last one to leave, I really, really CARE." and my boss said "I know you do, but the customers don't. I can't say "Well, sorry, but she does CARE." you know?"

It was heartbreaking. I loved that job and I tried so, so, so hard. Now I'm working at a coffee shop, WAY below my abilities and intelligence. I incompleted all my classes my first year of college and dropped out. I used to think it was because I didn't care enough. I and everyone around me would beat me up for being lazy and "unmotivated", but now I know, having been INCREDIBLY MOTIVATED and screwing up anyway, that I just can't do this by myself.

But who has 00 for testing and private doctors? Is there any other way to get testing or help? I feel a little desperate.

 

3200 for testing and private doctors? Who did you go see?

I went to my doc and he prescribed meds on that same visit. Meds an doc appoiments = aobut 160.00 a month (in California).

Could you be able to afford this?

Ivil_Ivette38433.6846527778Ahem.... working at a coffee shop does not demean you in any way. I've worked countless retail jobs and I can honestly say they were much more fun than any stuffy old office job. But I felt that way too - that my intelligence and abilities (I'm a university graduate, for goodness sakes), were far above some paltry retail job.

I now work for a family owned business. My bosses are literally millionaires. The way they treat us "common folk" is appalling. This has taught me to harbour no more respect for a doctor than I would for a coffee shop waitress working to support her children. We are all human. None of us are better, none of us are worse.

I only tell you this because I feel it is a crucial step towards finding inner peace with yourself. I really don't want to get off on the wrong foot here.... just stating my opinion.

(stepping off the soapbox) That being said, I'm sure you can find a job more suited to your abilities. Not BETTER, just a better MATCH.

Some folks here have suggested trying to see a doctor at school clinics. Or student psycholgists, or something. Hopefully someone will jump in and explain that a bit better, because I live in Canada so I am lucky enough to have most basic medical requirements covered.

Welcome to the board, and believe me, having a support system here in itself is a big help.

I dropped out of school for 3 years and then went back to drop out, on and off. my last drawback included a year and half leave of absence. I have worked about 50 jobs...(I am 27 and still in college) 

On a different note, I am sure you are aware that as a person with a disability you are entitled to certain employment rights.

Don't feel bad... take one day at a time, and learn to laugh during your bad times. This helps a lot...

Accept the things you cannot change. The essence of intelligence is in extracting meaning from everyday experience.

 

Coffee shops around Portland metro have tons of college grads working at them. 

[color=blue]Good advice, Ivette and bcgirl! Well said.   

BTW, Ivette, what are your Icons supposed to be, they only show up on my PC as empty boxes. ???