Hi Aivory,

Getting an accurate diagnosis is by far the most important step.
Many things can create the symptoms of ADHD (i.e. stress,
depression, post tramatic stress disorder, bi-polar II, sleep
disorders etc.) and it is important to screen for these issues and
know that you are getting to the real source of your attention
problems. Sometimes this process can take time and patience- traits
that are often not easy for ADDers.

Going to the Feb 7th Chicago CHADD meeting with Dr. Alan Grahm (See
Tina's post) may in fact be a great start as he can be an excellent
reference for you.

You also can go to interactive support group meetings (Chadd
meetings tend to be more lecture/instructional with Q&A after where
other groups tend to be more topical with individual discussion and
sharing opportunities.)

We are lucky to have a wide variety of support groups in the Chicago
area- but then again- support groups are not for everybody.

Support groups have given me a place where I have found a way to
fill my need for others who can share and empathize with my
struggles and where my ADHD is "normalized" by others who understand
what it's like to be me... Then again, if you come out to Naperville
and meet Ron, you may gain a new appreciation on how the
word "normal" can be a very relative term. But don't worry, we
recently picked up the do-it-yourself Hannibal Lechter restraining
kit so we don't expect any additional "finger food" incidents.

Anyway, you can get a list of the area support groups at:

http://www.chicagoareaadd.org/suportgr.html

Hakunna Matata!

Bentley


--- In Chicago-ADHD-Adults@yahoogroups.com, "aivory01"
<aivory01@...> wrote:
>
> Hello all,
>
> This is a little ackward for me. I have not been diagnosed with
ADHD,
> though I think I may have it. I am 27 and frustrated, I am
finally
> coming to terms that I may be a little different. I have spent the
> last three months unsuccessfully trying to locate a place were I
could
> be properly diagnosed. Over the years I have been the master of
> working around things and making my disorganization look genius;
but I
> am officially frustrated with self. My inability to organize and
pay
> attention has took countless hours of my life and is taking a toll
on
> my personal, professional and academic relationships. And whats
worse
> is I am not even sure if I have ADD! So any assistance, any
meetings,
> psych recommendations would be eagerly accepted.
>