hi, i am new to this forum.
i am 25yrs old and have shown adhd signs all my life and have never been diagnosed with it cause i live in a town in Tasmania, Australia and doctors here don't believe in it. on numerous occassions i've been classified as having a 'anxiety' and 'depression' problem which 3 different types of antideppressants did nothing for me. i live with behavoural and physical problems daily eg: when standing or sitting i can't be still, pacing, starting and enjoing arguments, mood swings, have lost 3 jobs in 2 years, have once lost my licence, have drug and alcohol addictions, have more energy than most females my age, cant hold onto relationships, have thought of suicide twice and have overdosed twiced with frustration, people dont seem to listen to my problems. all i want to know is, is it adhd or depression and how can i get tested in Tasmania? i am at my last straw!!!!!!!

Welcome to the forums whatever. I'm sorry you're pulling your hair out trying to get a doctor who will listen. And that's truly what you need, is a doctor who will listen. We can't diagnose but I hope we can help or at least be a good sounding block/listening ear.

If you're bipolar instead of depressed not only will you have those similar symptoms but anti-dpressants will not work, they can throw you into a manic episode.

Our Treatment and Management (http://www.addforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=5)section might help, not for medications, but other ways of coping with ADD. Your own knowledge of the disorder will help you help yourself. http://www.addforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=36 A lot of folks around here have read the "Driven to Distraction" books and I like the "Adults with ADD" (I can't remember the author at the moment). Those books can be found at the library.

We have a substance abuse (http://www.addforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=78)and support forum both public and private. And Relationships/Social Issues (http://www.addforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=61) both public and private. I hope this isn't too much info all at once but I hope you'll find what you're looking for. If not, don't hesitate to ask.

Having a doctor you can talk to and trust is the best way to get to the bottom of it. Are you able to get out of your immediate area to search for a different doctor?

Welcome, Whatever,

Have you seen this?
http://www.legalaid.tas.gov.au/Referral%20List/Browse.asp?CategoryID=21

<table border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody><tr valign="top"><td width="25%">ADDSUP TAS INC.



</td> <td width="50%">Support group for families, professionals and carers of children with learning problems, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and other mental health disorders. </td> <td width="25%">Burnie: (03) 6431 9778</td></tr></tbody> </table>
G'luck

have never been diagnosed with it cause i live in a town in Tasmania, Australia and doctors here don't believe in it.


Admit you do not ask a simple question. What little I have been able to read about your area and the health care publications I would say when it comes to ADD finding treatment may be a challenge.

I was able to find a couple of places that may expand your search. I know so little about locations and such....

The first site appears to be some government run health information site that does admit ADD exist.......




goverment site health wise??? (http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Attention_deficit_hyperactivity_disorder_and_adult s?OpenDocument)

The second is an interview re-printed some thing called "ALL in the Mind" I noticed at the bottom of the page was some resources and references ADD related.....I couldn't access all the links and may go by locations which I am unfamiliar with buy they may be a source to those who have more information about ADD treatment in your country....


"All in the Mind" (http://www.abc.net.au/rn/science/mind/stories/s1132023.htm)


There are other members here at ADDF from your country that may also have ideas.....

ADDF Australia (http://www.addforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&f=99&page=1&pp=25&sort=lastpost&order=desc&daysprune=30)

I hope some thing in here is of assistance!!!!

:) Thankyou for your list of support groups in Australia. I read threw it and theres currently no support groups from Devonport to Burnie in Tasmania, Australia, thanx any way

Is there an on-line hook up with some of these.. I mean maybe some one knows some one else ..that sort of thing.

When I first got diagnosis in 1993 I had to travel 200 miles one way to see the doctor.......some time things aren't close to home...but then again you all have a different medical system that we do here in the US!!!!

Whatever,
are your ADHD symptoms causing your depression? difficult question I guess - or is it the other way round for you?