"I don’t have health insurance, and stimulant medications are very expensive. All the adult ADD advice I read seems to recommend hiring a coach, hiring someone to do the chores you hate doing, or spending money to solve everyday challenges. You know what I mean: “When you’re too frazzled to cook, don’t feel bad about going out to dinner.” Any valuable tips for those of us on a budget?"
by Sandy Maynard
Paying for services to help you with your adult attention deficit disorder can be expensive, indeed. In terms of treatment, there are many programs that can connect you with free or low-cost meds.
The discount often varies by program, type of medication, and the state where you live. Start your search at the SelectCare Benefits Network (scbn.org) or the Partnership for Prescription Assistance (pparx.org).
Instead of hiring a coach or a professional organizer, seek help from family and friends. Try bartering services. Maybe you’re a good baker, and you can make an organized friend a batch of brownies while she sorts through and files a pile of your papers.
Going out to eat when you are too frazzled to cook isn’t the only option, either. The next night you can’t face the stove, have a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with a side of sliced tomatoes and cucumbers and a glass of low-fat milk for an easy and nutritious meal. More: 6 Ways to Simplify the Kitchen and Save Time
Get some free, real-life advice (and support, which is invaluable) by connecting with other ADDers. You can search for a CHADD chapter near you, for an in-person support group, or join an online message board, like the one hosted by ADDitude at additudemag.com/adhdforums.