[mine1742@gmail.com]

Im looking to diagnos what i have always believed that i have ADD, when i was younger i definatly had the hyperactivity part but not so much any more. I am a recently discharged vet, i got out in July of 08, and i was wondering if anyone had experience navigating the VA hospital systems. I have no insurance and not much money so the VA is about all i can afford. After brousing many of these forums and webmd type sites i found that I meet most all of the symtoms of add, again without much hyperactivity. My sister is a middle school teacher and she works with the 'troubled' kids and behavorial issue types, i used to be one of them, and she swears that i had adhd when i was a kid, im 30 now.

My question is how do i start the process? Do i just go to the hospital and say i want to be diagnosed with add? Do i have to be reccommended? Does anyone know what VA hospitals do for add?

I would love to be able to focus on one ting at a time, to finish something, to be able to read a page of a book and be able to remember the first paragraph. I would love to not make 3 trips to my car because i forgot my car keys twice. I would love to be able to start a conversation with someone and have a clue where i was going to end.

Any help would be great.

[kimmydawn]

Hi there and welcome!

You ask some very good questions. I guess you might contact the VA about getting a referral to a psychiatrist? That might be a place to start there.

HOWEVER, if you don't want to go the VA route (which I don't know that I would), you can contact your local human services department in your county/state and ask for the number to the community mental health services. Most counties in the US offer community mental health centers where services are offered people according to income (if no/little income, no charge). You can get an appt. there with a counselor who can make the recommendation for their psychiatrist.

I wish you more than well. You're not alone.

Again, welcome.

KD

[mine1742@gmail.com]

Thanks for the reply. Ill chck into the community hospital idea.

[Simcha]

Originally Posted by kimmydawn

Hi there and welcome!

You ask some very good questions. I guess you might contact the VA about getting a referral to a psychiatrist? That might be a place to start there.

HOWEVER, if you don't want to go the VA route (which I don't know that I would), you can contact your local human services department in your county/state and ask for the number to the community mental health services. Most counties in the US offer community mental health centers where services are offered people according to income (if no/little income, no charge). You can get an appt. there with a counselor who can make the recommendation for their psychiatrist.

I wish you more than well. You're not alone.

Again, welcome.

KD

Good advice, and I agree that the VA is probably not the best place to go for ADHD (or any mental health issue, IMO). The community mental health center in my area actually has psychiatrists, psychologists, and other licensed mental health counselors, and a referral from a psychologist/counselor to a psychiatrist isn't necessary. Psychologists are best in diagnosing adult ADHD as they have more training in neuropsychological testing and ADHD assessment (usually), but I'd make sure before I saw any of them just what exactly their experience with adult ADHD was before I spent significant time with them. Also, not everyone needs medication, and if you go to a psychiatrist that is usually their sole treatment modality.

He'd probably get better luck at a community mental health center, but I would still only recommend that as short term--they aren't the best either. Hopefully he can get some job leads that have a nice insurance package. Many places like to hire veterans---and those companies usually have good insurance.