I was diagnosed with AADD at around age 21. By this point, educationally speaking a lot of damage had been done due to having gone undiagnosed my entire life. My psychiatrist also believes I have a learning disorder, dyscalculia. My inability to grasp even the most basic mathematical problems caused me a lot of problems in school.

I've been attending therapy off and on since I was sixteen years old for chronic depression and anxiety (I'm about to turn 26). I was placed on Ritalin CR I believe it was called and was able to go back to school, obtain my GED and even started college. I was in heaven.

Towards the middle of my freshman year, I lost my health coverage and wasn't able to renew my prescriptions for Ritalin and antidepressants/anxiety. Since then my life has spiraled out of control. I no longer want to leave my home, gained a ton of weight, am constantly depressed. I went back to not being able to hold a job and suffer financially. Employers are always finding reasons to want to get rid of me. My constant tardiness, inability to focus on one task, making "oblivious" mistakes, etc, etc.

Back in 2006 I was told by an acquaintance that I could apply for disability because AADD was considered a disability (I should add I live in NYC). I went in, was examined by a psychiatrist I believe it was and was told to just wait till I received further paper work and that it could take well over a year sometimes. I believe I was also told to contact a lawyer on the matter but I don't really remember for certain. A couple of months later my parents were evicted from our apartment and they issued a change of address with the post office. Apparently I was sent a notice to make an appearance in front of a judge about my case but the post office never delivered it. I didn't receive this letter until about two years later.

My questions are these:

1) Would I qualify for disability based on AADD and dyscalculia?

2) I haven't attended any therapy or psychiatric sessions since I lost my insurance four years ago, will that affect any possible case I may have?

3) Is it possible to continue to receive assistance while I try to get my life back together like trying to return to and finish college, try my hardest to get insured and find steady work? Meaning will I stop receiving help if I land a part time job, attend college, etc?

4) Will the fact that I never appeared in front of a judge about my case hurt any further proceedings?

5) Will I actually need an attorney to help out with all the things having to due with applying? If so, how would I find one and how will they get compensated when I have no income right now? (I am staying with a really kind friend)

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