I dont even know how to begin this post, except to say Im not seeking sympathy or attention. Just looking for advice, I guess. Thats how I found this forum, searching for advice/guidance/answers. Maybe the web isnt the best place for it, but its a tool, and one I understand.

So-Im 39 years old; Ive been sober for 2 years, and I was diagnosed with ADD this spring. I spent quite a bit of time researching ADD before I talked to my Dr. about it, so I am sure I am not alone in the issues in my life. Most seem to be standard stuff: poor educational and employment record, all sorts of financial problems, personal relationships are a disaster, yadda yadda yadda.

Since Ive gotten a little control in my life, Ive started realizing-I need to "make something" of myself. I need a career, a good job that pays enough to live on and provides some benefits. I need to behave like a grown-up, for the first time in my life . . . when I start to wrestle with the issue, I start feeling very helpless and defeated. I have read some items about co-existing conditions and "depression" and "low self esteem" pop out at me.
Then there is the whole issue of "what do I want to be when I grow up?". Ive been taking some online tests to see what my "career interests" might be. The results include such gems as "parking lot attendant" and "janitor". The fact is, I cant think of anything that interests me enough to want to make a career out of it. Except things that are patently out of reach, like law or politics.

I know what I need: counseling. Of course I need to be in therapy, and I need some career counseling, and all that stuff that is recommended as part of the treatement for this condition. The roadblock is, of course, money. I dont have any insurance, I dont qualify for medicaid, and I can barely afford to pay for my Ritalin and other prescriptions (blood pressure). There is no way I can afford a therapist, no matter how much I need it.

Anyways, like I said, Im not looking for sympathy . . . just searching for answers . . . thats how I found these forums. Im wondering if anyone else has been in a situation similar to mine and if so-how did you find your way out? And if anyone has any bits of advice, suggestions, etc. , I'd love to hear them. Not looking for a handout, just a finger pointed in the right direction . . .

Well, this is a great start! You have come to the right place. Welcome! :D
We all search for answers. Read up. I know you will find some really interesting and helpful resources around here.

I am 46 and have three college degrees, including a master's, and still don't know what I want to do when I grow up.

Nothing interests me unless it is extremely esoteric: philosophy.

Can you receive free treatment at a local hospital that is affiliated to a medical school?

I'll be reading responses to your post because I share many of your concerns.

Good luck.

Good ole career confusion.......career testing hmmmm you may take a look at person preferences also like do you like routine or does it bore you to no end, can you multi-task, do you like working alone with a team, can sit down and type or do you need to walk and talk.

Looking at your preferences as well as how ADD effects you as a person can go a long way to the right "job fit". I am hyper and do best at jobs where I can move about and talk. I don't sit still for very long even on medicine. I avoid sitting down desk jobs. things like that.

Loook at your past and write down reasons you dis-liked the jobs or why they were poor fits....then look at thing you actually liked about them see if there is a pattern.... your strengths are what will help and heck just because you decide on a career today doesn't mean you can't can't change you mind further on down the road.

I have cramed more than one career into my 40 some thing year old life!!! I can make money doing a variety of jobs!!!!!

Welcome to the Forums! I'd like to second the idea of checking out a local university and seeing if they don't have counseling program where student interns work with clients. I'd check with the education department and the psychology department. You'd be working, usually for free, with a masters level student under direct supervision of a professor or other licensed person, so they get a lot of feed back and suggestions from pretty experienced folks and can be quite helpful -- hey, it's a place to start! Another suggestion is to look for an ADHD support group in your community or check with your local community mental health center -- most have a sliding fee scale based on your income, which might be more doable for you. I wish you the best!

Scattered