[COLE_PATROL]

hopefully this is the right place to put this. i need help really bad. i don't know where to start, but i found this forum so i'm hoping somebody has something for me. i'm so lost. i'm about as certain as i can be that i have adhd. it hasn't been diagnosed, which is kind of my problem. i think my next step is to get some kind of medication so that i can get my life back on track. or maybe somebody has another idea besides medication. i'm open to ideas.

my family doesn't understand me... or even try to. they dismiss it as depression. i don't think they even get what depression is. they end up leaving me to myself assuming it'll work itself out or i'm just to weird to deal with. i've asked them for help so many times. i feel like they abandoned me because they don't get what i'm going through or try to even understand what it's like. a girlfriend called it an excuse. she too never took time to understand me. it's like the more i try to explain to people what i'm going through, the worse it gets as far as their understanding. i don't feel like people really listen to what i'm saying. i feel like i go through so much effort to explain what it's like for me and i end up feeling like i'm not heard. with my family, i know they are not listening. they will make comments that contradict what i tell them. like i said, it's like they pigeon hole me into what they think i'm going through. my brother called my daughters mom and told her so many things that never even happened. or he generalized things i've said to him and embellished other parts. long story short, he made me sound crazy and my daughter got taken away. i don't want to write a big sob story. just venting i guess and giving some background. i don't know what to say. i'm stressed beyond belief. my car was stolen and i can't go to work anymore. i'm out of money. my girlfriend doesn't talk to me. my daughters mom wants to take my daughter away completely. i'm a great dad too. i'm really proud of how i'm doing as a dad. i'm so confused as to how this can happen to somebody. but it is and i can't seem to get out of the hole i'm in. i'm overwhelmed to say the least. this is the condensed version of what's going on. i don't want to make this too long. i am desperate for help.

i live in tucson arizona and i don't have money to see a doctor. i don't have medical insurance. are there free clinics? is that a real thing? i just want to try medication for adhd. i feel like i need to. i've taken online tests for adhd and i score really really high. or it recommends that i see a doctor. it's kind of like the idea of knowing the whole time what's wrong with you. i can't get my crap together ever to do something about it. this post is as far as i've gotten. hopefully this makes sense. thanks for taking the time to read this. i really appreciate it.

[kaliope]

hi cole patrol
i am sorry to hear you are struggling so. from what i understand about the arizona welfare system you will be able to get help if you are not working. my son moved there and did not have a job and was able to apply for what ever arizona's version of medicaid was. this covered all his medical expenses. he was able to get surgery on his knee with it and got food stamps. so go down to your welfare office and apply. then schedule an appointment with a psychiatrist to be evaluated for ADHD and you will be able to be treated. welcome to psych central. you will find we have several forums where you can post about your concerns and receive feedback from other members. you will get a lot of support here. again, welcome

[CANDC]

Hi ColePatrol. Welcome to Psych Central (PC). Sorry you are suffering from feelings of distress. Any mental illness diagnosed by a professional is more easily treated so the first step is to follow Kaliope's advice and get on some medical program.

A psychiatrist may be a help in terms of identifying what is most challenging and suggesting meds to help provide a stable background for living. A therapist that specializes in your area of challenge can be a help also.

Many people who are actively involved in Psych Central find it helps take them out of their own problems to develop empathy for others. And their problems though still there are more manageable. There are lots of compassionate people here that can make the load lighter by sharing and caring. Feel free to participate actively at Psych Central. http://forums.psychcentral.com

Please feel free to private message me or any of the Community Liaisons by left clicking on the name in blue to the left of their post) for questions or just to share.