Where to start with finding diagnosis

[Greenrider]

Hi I am 42 and have always known something was different, for example I can not keep a schedule like other people. No getting up early for school, late for things all the time, usually don't go to bed when I should, poor short term memory, can't easily plan things, no working 9-5 hours. I have worked self employed for 15 years. There are a lot of other reasons to suspect ADHD would be the thing that fits.

I haven't had health insurance in almost 15 years. I do OK with money but I'm in debt and have an uphill climb to get out. My attention and ability to work make it much, much harder. Which makes me ask for help.

I'm in california in the san francisco area. Where do I start for seeking a screening? How can I do it affordably? If there are meds how do I get those and how much would it cost? Is there anyone I can talk to who could help?

[quietlylost]

Where do I start for seeking a screening?

The first thing to do would be to look for a mental health clinic. If you're in CA and you don't have health insurance, there are probably a number of free or low cost clinics in the area through Community Mental Health. If you make too much money to qualify for that or Medicaid, I'd suggest looking for other private clinics. I'm sure there are several near you. I'd go to Google Maps, type in your address, and then "search nearby" for "counseling." That should give you a list of places and then you can call each one to see if they're accepting patients and if they work on a sliding fee scale.

You'll want to start with a therapist and let her/him know your issues and what you're seeking help for. Getting an ADHD diagnosis can be a long process, so you'll want to express to them that finances are a concern and see if that can help move it along.

How can I do it affordably?

As above, you may want to look into public health options or sliding fee clinics. Sometimes universities have clinics that will see non-students as they are training future counselors and need patients to see. In those cases services may be more affordable.

If there are meds how do I get those and how much would it cost?

A lot of ADHD medications are generic and can be purchased fairly cheap. Some stores like Walmart or others have their own prescription discount plan and you can inquire further. A lot of the stimulant medications aren't covered by insurance and when they are still have a high copay. You'll probably want to avoid newer medications like Vyvanse because it's not generic yet. Older medications like Wellbutrin, Intuniv, Ritalin, and some versions of Adderall may be more affordable if you end up needing those.

Is there anyone I can talk to who could help?

I'd maybe start by trying your local Community Mental Health to see if you qualify for their services. If not, the other options. It can be a challenging process without health insurance, but not an impossible one.

[Hidden]

Good Morning Greenrider.

Getting a proper diagnosis for ADHD is essential before you can move forward with proper medication, but research is free and looks like you're doing that.

Start by shopping around for clinicians in your area who specialize in testing people for ADHD. Tell them you don't have insurance and need to know what the OOP cost is. I can tell you it's going to be about $1500 on average. You can get testing for less, but if you're looking for medication to try your test will need to be accepted by a medical doctor who can prescribe medication. So...a good place to start is with a Medical Physician who understands ADHD and can refer you to the right group for testing.

It's important to understand something here, Medication is not a cure, but a tool. If you are ADHD you need to develop a plan for self awareness and improvement in your life so that you can develop skills you need to work on. This may require therapy of some sort, some type of life coaching of both. You also need to know the difference between just ADHD, and possible other co-morbid conditions you might or may not have. For example anxiety problems are common for people who are ADHD, but anxiety itself is not ADHD, and age and development, and a persons environment are factors that can effect the level of anxiety at any time.

Not to brag, but as I have gotten to know other fellow ADHD "peoples" I realize I'm a success story. And, if I can succeed as an ADHD adult then anyone can. Nothing special about me.

I'm 53. I grew up in the 70's, when ADHD was being studied and researched, but there wasn't a lot of diagnosis, or medications, if any. I learned the hard was how to keep a schedule, turn in my school assignments, sit still, listen and deal with the criticisms, ridicule and harshness that so often came from my adult keepers, trainers and established societies of my environment.

Suffering abuses is more typical for ADHD kids than it is for neurotypical kids but a lot of it depends on social/economic environments, and the expectations placed on children. I was called stupid, lazy, insolent, careless, a day dreamer,.... you name it, and sometimes even subjected to physical forces. And, often times these unpleasantness experiences came from people I loved, or admired, or so much wanted to. So, I understand the difficulties ADHD children face and how those things carry over to our adult lives, and how we might learn to deal with them and not let those things become the things that hold us back from success.

You can be ADHD and have positive relationships. You can manage your time, and your money, and keep a tight schedule, manage projects, and hold a job. You can even be a good parent and impart good things to a child. my youngest is ADHD, and I am her coach

Step one for you..... get tested. Talk to your doctor. If you don't have one, reach out to your psychical community and ask around. see if anyone can point you to a medical doctor or group.

Good luck and keep us posted. If you have any questions just ask.

[herpipeness]

Wow. You have gotten some fabulous advice from the two women who’ve posted. I can only support the comments about reading (obviously you do), looking for a support group (forget Marin County, we’d have to go to Petaluma as far as I can tell) and following the advice on Community Mental Health. And whatever you learn, please share so others in your position can have an easier road. I hope there are readers here who work in the medical side of things and can guide you with more specific advice.

[GatsbyCat]

Hi Greenrider~ The other replies are super helpful. There's only one other item I might recommend. Since you live in San Francisco, there's an institute for ADHD called BAY AREA CENTER FOR ADD/ADHD at this url: bayareaadhd.com/ My brother went there and thought it was helpful.

Good luck on your journey.