Dealing with Mental Illness Without Medical Advice

Natural remedies: St. John's Wort may help with depression and anxiety. Also a multivitamin, getting enough rest, eating regularly, and getting exercise if possible. Exercise can really help. A weighted blanket might help with depression and anxiety, as well as white noise (there are free apps if you want to try them instead of buying a machine). Music can also help with anxiety, as well as journaling. For ADHD, I recommend planning and making lists. With ADHD and depression, it's really important to break things down into bite sized steps so that you actually accomplish something. So for example, instead of trying to clean your whole room, you clean a corner or you just put away a few pieces of clothing. Engaging in your hobbies can help too. Even if you just do one thing for a few minutes a day, it's something. You can also take up a new hobby. If you're in the US and you can't afford insurance then you might qualify for Medicaid, which is a state insurance but it's free. If you have it then you should be able to see doctors, psychiatrists and therapists for free. (It varies by state though.)

It sounds like you have a lot on your plate right now and I hope things get easier. This is my advice from having to find mental health services during COVID with new insurance: (I apologize for the length - tldr @ end) To help with things for now: - chamomile tea can soothe nerves - outdoors/sunshine can help depression - sensory grounding -meditation can help (I'm partial to the Headspace basis -free) - if you feel like reading DBT therapy has tools and skills to cope with big emotions. (Google DBT skills list -or something along those lines) (Be careful about supplements and your meds interacting!) Mental health steps: Depending on where you live there are state/free mental health services. There are also websites and chats. NAMI is one. Iprevail (free in some states/counties) [Personally, unless things are pretty severe I'd stay away from the public mental clinics/hospitals] For a diagnosis you'd go to a psychiatrist and they are the same people who would (usually) provide medicines for mental illness. A GP (general practitioner/doctor) can also prescribe these but will often refer out. (This might be required depending on your state or insurance) I recommend being open to virtual appointments, especially for psych providers since the waits can be long. But you can do this and getting the resources will help. I also highly recommend trying therapy. (I prefer in person). A general therapist can help with talk therapy and give you space on figuring things out. You can always look for someone more specific later. For both the psychiatrist and therapist (and preferably any relationship) - Find someone you can trust and that listens! It's hard to build rapport and can take time but if things really aren't jiving - trust yourself and look for another provider. In medicine, but especially mental health, you deserve someone who supports you and can empathize with you while giving advice. You deserve to be happy and healthy. Tldr: Look into free mental health resources. Psychiatrist prescribe meds and diagnose with a psych eval. Trust yourself and find people who can help you. Feel free to message me if I can offer any support. 💕

I always suggest going to a doctor. I wrote up a list of my symptoms and how they feel. Even some info on what would help me (for example an emotional support animal) But if you can't go to a doctor I suggest being gentle with yourself. When scheduling your time make some big time bubbles so you can put yourself at ease. For example I give myself 30 minutes or more between each errand or task. For wiggle room Try some new things. Self improvement is always good. I'm working on looking at nature more and im trying to pick up painting again. I hope you find the things that work for you

Do you have any way to go see a doctor by yourself or without specific family members knowing? Or plan on moving out? If not, basic antidepressants may help or finding coping mechanisms for yourself.

I would do some research on what vitamins/ natural remedies help depression and anxiety. I know lavender definitely helps anxiety. I try to occupy my mind when I’m really down, like coloring or watching a favorite tv show.