ADHD Weekly -- Improving the Health and Wellness of Black Americans with ADHD

[KarenADHDWeekly]

This Black History Month CHADD focuses on improving the lives of Black Americans who have ADHD and their families by highlighting information and resources that address their needs. Read about ADHD resources with a focus on the Black community at bit.ly/nrcBHM22 .

[FindingTheAnswers]

I'm a white male, and I've usually had good insurance. It took me about 25 years of going through a phone book of 'Mental Health Pros' before I was diagnosed, by accident, that I had ADHD. I have no doubt that a lot of people of Color have an even more difficult time trying to find the right person (also affordable) who can set them on a better path. White/Black/Brown, Male/Female, Christian/Jewish/Muslim and anyone's not covered in this sentence: NEVER GIVE UP!

Also, what is 'The meaning of Life'? I don't know. But part of it is to learn. Another part is to help someone who is struggling as we all have and still do in some ways. Make their road a little easier.

[xXLegendMomXx]

I'm black woman diagnosed at 32. Prior to my diagnosis, I was unemployed because I had lost my job after becoming extremely ill and exhausting my sick time. At the time, I was excelling at work, had just gotten a promotion, and had gotten married. Everything seemed to be going so well on the surface, but inside I was struggling.

Now that I've been diagnosed and started medication, it feels like night and day! I want to help others get support, but I'm still struggling. I have insurance through my husband's job, but before I ever meet the deductible, we're responsible for 100% of any doctor's appointments. The psychiatrist I was seeing last year for around$15/visit, is now costing $140+/visit. My husband and son also have ADHD, and $140 on a single income just isn't doable for us.

I'm frustrated. Having had the medication, I know how much I benefit from consistent care, but it looks as though I will have to give that up unless I come upon some extra money soon (highly unlikely) or can work unmedicated, which I can do, but I would definitely be headed down the path I just recovered from.

I am also in the process of applying for disability, but even if I get it, my psychiatrist doesn't take it, and the search for a culturally competent psychiatrist where I live can be mentally debilitating all by itself.

Any advice on how someone looking to help others can first get help for herself?

[Gettingittogether in reply to xXLegendMomXx]

I'm black. Sorry to hear about your struggles.

Let' s see. Do you have a general practitioner or nurse practitioner that you see for your general health? If so, I would recommend you share your situation (financial and all) with them. Sometimes these folks will prescribe ADHD medication for you. J

General practitioners prescribe the vast majority of antidepressants given to patients, not psychiatrists. Some of these folks are comfortable prescribing ADHD meds as well--others are not. But definitely check ...

I get my meds from a psychiatric nurse practitioner. You might google to see if there are some in your area. They aren't as well known as psychiatrists, but they can prescribe all the meds that psychiatrists can prescribe. And --they are more likely to accept insurance and to charge less than psychiatrists. It's tough finding a psychiatrist who accepts insurance, really hard. The ones that do are often not taking new patients.

Another approach: find a clinic with a sliding scale (my city has free clinics) ... go there ... meet with a doctor ... or nurse practitioner and again, tell them about your situation. You don't immediately ask for a prescription. Just say you don't what to do and you'd love some suggestions. That way, you're dumping the problem onto the other person's lap ... and sometimes people won't make themselves really think and probe their memory or put in a few calls until a problem is directly dumped in their lap.

And I hate to be practical here, you want to just explain your problem (as opposed to asking for a prescription) because in the sliding scale and free clinics, there is suspicion of drug addicts coming in seeking medications for recreation as opposed for legitimate treatment for ADHD.

Also google "patient assistance programs" and your particular medication. Some drug companies give out free medications to people who qualify by income. But you probably need a prescription. I don't think they'll refer you to a doctor, though it NEVER hurts to ask.

Good luck.

Treating ADHD can revolutionize your life. It ran in my family, but I was the first one to get diagnosed and treated.

[xXLegendMomXx in reply to Gettingittogether]

Thanks so much for your response! I actually didn't even consider that. Just thought the best course of action was to go to a psych doctor since it's a mental condition (my zone of genius is definitely not within the medical field*) If you don't mind, I'd like to share this insight with my audience of other ADHD and Black folks. I'm doing what I can get more educated and share my knowledge so we can all get some help! I was literally trying everything, but this is why we really do benefit from helping each other! Thanks again* And sorry for the long post.

[Gettingittogether]

Share away ... your thinking isn't illogical at all. It totally makes sense that mental health medicines would be prescribed by psychiatrists.

But there aren't that many psychiatrists out there ... and many people just have an internalized stigma about visiting a psychiatrist. It's easier for them to open up to a GP. Lots of people don't feel they can afford a separate psychiatrist.

Oh and when you "make your pitch" ... focus on how much better your life is ... get specific ... share the excitement and joy and optimism brought on by diagnosis and treatment.

The truth is ... people offer more help to support someone already thriving or who is emphasizing thriving ... than they do someone who talks about how bad things are.

It's really dumb in that there is no real distinction ... My life is great with X vs My life is terrible without X. Same thing, but people respond way better to the first one.