Hi there,

I was diagnosed about 8 weeks ago at the age of 56yrs, also with the inattentive subtype and I'm particularly interested in people like us who have managed to get by until now.

I wonder if there are many older adults who like me, who were very ignorant about ADD/ADHD and who thought it was the picture often portrayed of the hyper active young boys having tantrums and didn't even know there were different sub types of the disorder. I was a well behaved, little girl, very intelligent and in looking back it was only late in high school when my grades started to fall that any symptoms started to show in the subjects I didn't like. I was still getting great marks in the one's I liked. In my time, if you left school at 16yrs it was no big deal and I went straight to work, got married at 18yrs and managed reasonably well until recent years. I'm sure many people who were diagnosed with anxiety and depression would never have considered that it was possible they were ADD/ADHD.

I was diagnosed with Bipolar about 3 years ago, but there was still a nagging voice in me that there was more to it than mood swings, as many of the symptoms of BP did not apply to me, so I continued to research. I dismissed ADD as I thought that not being able to focus was one of the main symptoms, so when I read up on "hyper-focusing" the light went on for me.

It seems more older adults are trying to find answers to their frustrations and it is great that there is more understanding of the condition around now and people realise if you have the condition as a child, it is not going to disappear as an adult if not treated or managed.

Congratulations for your positive attitude and like you, it is early days for me so I'm remaining positive and I'm looking forward to finding strategies to be more productive and less frustrated.

Cheers from L in Australia

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serenity said: Hi there, GOOD AFTERNOON

I was diagnosed about 8 weeks ago at the age of 56yrs, also with the inattentive subtype and I'm particularly interested in people like us who have managed to get by until now.

I wonder if there are many older adults who like me, who were very ignorant about ADD/ADHD and who thought it was the picture often portrayed of the hyper active young boys having tantrums YEP I ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT IT WAS SOMETHING THAT KIDS (NOT ADULTS) HAD AND I NEVER IMAGINED THAT WHAT WAS CAUSING MY MESSINESS, FORGETFULNESS WAS SIMPLY A CHEMICAL IMBALANCE IN MY BRAIN and didn't even know there were different sub types of the disorder. AGREED I was a well behaved, little girl, very intelligent AND I WAS DECENTLY BEHAVED AND "EXTREMELY INTELLIGENT" ACCORDING TO THE PSYCHOLOGIST THAT GAVE ME THE IQ TESTS WHEN I WAS 20 and in looking back it was only late in high school when my grades started to fall that any symptoms started to show in the subjects I didn't like. I GOT BY IN HIGHSCHOOL I was still getting great marks in the one's I liked. ME TOO BUT I ONLY LIKED ONE SUBJECT :o) In my time, if you left school at 16yrs I REPEATED SECONDARY 4 IN ORDER TO BRING UP MY MARKS AND GO TO COLLEGE BUT THERE WAS NO IMPROVEMENT it was no big deal and I went straight to work, got married at 18yrs and managed reasonably well until recent years. I WONDER WHY IT GOT WORSE FOR YOU I'm sure many people who were diagnosed with anxiety and depression would never have considered that it was possible they were ADD/ADHD. I NEVER HAD ANXIETY AND BUSINESS WAS BAD SO I WAS DEPRESSED BUT WHEN IT WAS GOOD, I WASN'T

I was diagnosed with Bipolar about 3 years ago, but there was still a nagging voice in me that there was more to it than mood swings, as many of the symptoms of BP did not apply to me, so I continued to research. GOOD I dismissed ADD as I thought that not being able to focus was one of the main symptoms, so when I read up on "hyper-focusing" the light went on for me. A FEW MONTHS AGO I DID A TEST ON THE NET AND I DID NOT HAVE ADHD BUT THEN I DID THE ONE IN "DRIVEN TO DISTRACTION" AND I HAD MANY OF THE SYMPTOMS. I WAS CONFIDENT AT THAT POINT AND WENT FOR THE ASSESSMENT.

It seems more older adults are trying to find answers to their frustrations and it is great that there is more understanding of the condition around now and people realise if you have the condition as a child, it is not going to disappear as an adult if not treated or managed. AGREED! I LOOK FORWARD TO BEING MORE PRODUCTIVE AND FOR MY WIFE, NEATER AND ABLE TO COMPLETE STARTED PROJECTS :o).

Congratulations for your positive attitude and like you, it is early days for me so I'm remaining positive and I'm looking forward to finding strategies to be more productive and less frustrated. GOOD FOR YOU. THINGS ARE ONLY GOING TO IMPROVE. WE CAN'T TURN BACK THE CLOCK BUT WE HAVE LOTS TO LOOK FORWARD TO. RIGHT? GREETINGS FROM THE SHORE OF THE ST. LAWRENCE RIVER (CANADA) M

Cheers from L in Australia GREETINGS FROM THE SHORE OF THE ST. LAWRENCE RIVER (CANADA) M

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Hello again,

Hope you are like me, finding many answers since receiving your diagnosis and things are making more sense now. I've read some interesting information on the different sub-types and mentioned to my Doctor how I wished this knowledge was promoted more, instead of that stereo typical image of the young, hyperactive boy who grows out of the condition that most people I know think of when ADHD is mentioned.

I googled to see where the "shores of the Great Lakes" were.It must be wonderful to live there. I'm guessing you do lots of hiking and outdoor's activities. I have a couple of good girlfriends I've met on on-line Forums where we share similar interests, who live in Canada, one in Montreal and the other in Ontario. From talking to them, I gather Australia and Canada share many of the same wonderful attributes.

I've lived my entire life in a Capital city and then a few years ago, when my husband retired we moved to a very small country town which is located in what was a very prosperous gold region in the 1860's. My husband is enjoying prospecting as modern detectors are able to still pick up small bits that the early prospectors left behind and he finds it so relaxing and enjoyable getting out into the serenity of the "bush".

I have found it is easier to manage my anxiety living here and notice the difference when I make the regular 1.5 hr drive back to the city to visit family if I stay there too long and can't wait to come back home again. I don't really understand why, but driving a car, especially in the country has always been a calming activity for me and I think it is because I get into the "zone" and really focus and somehow being distracted is not an issue.

I had a review with my GP last week and all is going well and I'm not going back for a month. I've been reading on line, and borrowed a few books from the library and have already noticed some improvements on focussing and being less distracted. But only time will tell, as we know, often those good ideas, when we are all fired up and enthusiastic never get completed. I'm planning to tackle a Spring Clean (1st Sept is Spring in the Southern Hemisphere) and have got some good tips from one of the books I read. I've got 3 boxes and I'm going to go through one cupboard/drawer/benchtop at a time and sort them 1."frequently used",2. "occasionally used" and 3."hardly ever used" Then put back what is used often in an orderly fashion. Number 2 will be boxed and labelled what is in and stored and number 3 will either be discarded or boxed and labelled for a garage sale or donated after reviewing in a few months.

That seems easy enough to handle as long as I do one little bit at a time and not get overwhelmed. And as we have only lived here for a few years, there are still boxes in the barn that have never been unpacked so they can go for starters!

"I LOOK FORWARD TO BEING MORE PRODUCTIVE AND FOR MY WIFE, NEATER AND ABLE TO COMPLETE STARTED PROJECTS :o)."

I'm sure she will be thrilled and you will feel the satisfaction one gets on not only completing something, but you know what they say "Happy wife, happy life!" LOL!

I've started compiling a VERY long list of uncompleted projects that have been overwhelming me for a while, and plan to have a "meeting" with my husband to decide how to prioritise them. Sometimes I think HE too has many traits of ADHD, so maybe that's why I was able to fly beneath the radar for so long! Although he can multi task and completes things much faster and more efficiently than me. I'm more the "ideas" person.

Hoping all us recently diagnosed continue to make the best of this, bye for now...L

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serenity said: Hello again, U2

Hope you are like me, finding many answers since receiving your diagnosis and things are making more sense now. RIGHT ON I've read some interesting information on the different sub-types and mentioned to my Doctor how I wished this knowledge was promoted more, instead of that stereo typical image of the young, hyperactive boy who grows out of the condition that most people I know think of when ADHD is mentioned. AGREED AS THERE ARE SOOOO MANY ADULTS OUT THERE THAT HAVE NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED

I googled to see where the "shores of the Great Lakes" were.It must be wonderful to live there. WE ARE ABOUT 170 MILES DOWNSTREAM FROM LAKE ONTARIO I'm guessing you do lots of hiking and outdoor's activities. YES :o: I have a couple of good girlfriends I've met on on-line Forums where we share similar interests, who live in Canada, one in Montreal and the other in Ontario. From talking to them, I gather Australia and Canada share many of the same wonderful attributes. BUT WE HAVE X-C SKIING ALL OVER AND CAN SWIM WITHOUT BEING EATEN BY A SHARK :o)

I've lived my entire life in a Capital city and then a few years ago, when my husband retired we moved to a very small country town which is located in what was a very prosperous gold region in the 1860's. My husband is enjoying prospecting as modern detectors are able to still pick up small bits that the early prospectors left behind and he finds it so relaxing and enjoyable getting out into the serenity of the "bush". I HOPE THAT HE FINDS A GOLD VEIN. WITH THE PRICE OF GOLD IT DOES NOT TAKE A BIG VEIN TO BECOME WEALTHY.

I have found it is easier to manage my anxiety living here and notice the difference when I make the regular 1.5 hr drive back to the city to visit family if I stay there too long and can't wait to come back home again. YEP GREEN SPACE IS GOOD FOR ADHD I don't really understand why, but driving a car, especially in the country has always been a calming activity for me and I think it is because I get into the "zone" and really focus and somehow being distracted is not an issue. YEP FROM READING, ITS THE CONSTANT CHANGES THAT MAKE US FEEL GOOD. I GUESS THAT IS WHY I ALWAYS HIKED, CYCLED AND X-C SKIED.

I had a review with my GP last week and all is going well and I'm not going back for a month. MY GP MENTIONED THAT HIS EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN THAT HIS ADHD PATIENTS HAD LET DOWNS AFTER HAVING BEEN ON MEDICATION, EXPECTING DRAMATIC POSITIVE CHANGES. WE WILL SEE WHAT THE SHRINK HAS TO SAY AS SHE SEEMS TO BE A REAL EXPERT WITH ADHD. I MENTIONED THAT I WAS GOING FOR AN ADHD ASSESSMENT TO A FRIEND AND SHE LAUGHED AND TOLD ME THAT SHE HAD BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH IT 10-15 YRS PRIOR. SHE WENT ON MEDS AND FOUND THAT THEY SLOWED HER DOWN SO SHE JUST STOPPED AS SHE HAD TOO MUCH GOING ON IN HER LIFE WITH HER DAUGHTER WHO ALSO HAD ADHD. I've been reading on line, and borrowed a few books from the library and have already noticed some improvements on focussing and being less distracted. BEING CONSCIOUS OF OUR SITUATIONS WILL DO THAT. MY WIFE READS 3-5 BOOKS/WK AND WAS AMAZED THAT I READ DRIVEN TO DISTRACTION, PAUL WENDER'S ADHD, 10 SIMPLE SOLUTIONS TO ADULT ADHD AND HALF OF DELIVERED FROM DISTRACTION, PLUS AN ADHD MAGAZINE, ALL IN 2 WEEKS, AS I HAVE LIKELY ONLY READ 2 BOOKS IN THE PAST 5 YRS. But only time will tell, as we know, often those good ideas, when we are all fired up and enthusiastic never get completed. AGREED I'm planning to tackle a Spring Clean (1st Sept is Spring in the Southern Hemisphere) and have got some good tips from one of the books I read. I've got 3 boxes and I'm going to go through one cupboard/drawer/benchtop at a time and sort them 1."frequently used",2. "occasionally used" and 3."hardly ever used" SOUNDS LIKE WHAT WAS ADVISED IN 10 SIMPLE SOLUTIONS TO ADULT ADHD. :o) Then put back what is used often in an orderly fashion. Number 2 will be boxed and labelled what is in and stored and number 3 will either be discarded or boxed and labelled for a garage sale or donated after reviewing in a few months.

That seems easy enough to handle as long as I do one little bit at a time and not get overwhelmed. RIGHT ON THERE And as we have only lived here for a few years, there are still boxes in the barn that have never been unpacked so they can go for starters!

"I LOOK FORWARD TO BEING MORE PRODUCTIVE AND FOR MY WIFE, NEATER AND ABLE TO COMPLETE STARTED PROJECTS :o)."

I'm sure she will be thrilled and you will feel the satisfaction one gets on not only completing something, but you know what they say "Happy wife, happy life!" LOL! YEP SHE IS VERY HAPPY THAT I AM SO INTO MAKING AN EFFORT AND STARTING NEW HABITS. I MADE A BOX FOR BUSINESS CARDS SO THAT WHEN I AM LOOKING FOR SOMEONE'S I WILL KNOW WHERE TO LOOK. I ALSO MADE A BOX FOR INSTRUCTION BOOKLETS OF MY STUFF SO THEY WILL BE EASIER TO FIND. I've started compiling a VERY long list of uncompleted projects that have been overwhelming me for a while, and plan to have a "meeting" with my husband to decide how to prioritise them. HAHA. I MADE A BULLETIN BOARD TO PUT MAGNETS UPON WITH PAPERS FOR TASKS ONLY TO DISCOVER THAT THE SHEET STEEL THAT I USED IS ACTUALLY ALUMINUM AND MAGNETS DO NOT STICK. I WILL USE POST IT NOTES OR DRY MARKERS Sometimes I think HE too has many traits of ADHD, so maybe that's why I was able to fly beneath the radar for so long! Although he can multi task and completes things much faster and more efficiently than me. I'm more the "ideas" person. TEST HIM :o) MY WIFE IS MY EXACT OPPOSITE BUT WE LIKE THE SAME THINGS.

Hoping all us recently diagnosed continue to make the best of this, bye for now...L I AM CONFIDENT THAT WE WILL AS WE CAN ONLY IMPROVE . CHEERS, M

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Hi there,

How have things been going for you since your last post?

Regards L

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Hi L,

All is well here. How are things doing there?

On Aug 10, I learned that of the three streams of an ADHD study I would be in the "medication only" group. I was hoping for CBT as well.

I was prescribed Concerta 18 mg and told not to expect any change with such a low preliminary dose, and I doubt that there has been one. It should be increased on the 23rd as I have had no side affects.

I asked if I should take Omega 3 and was told that the info regarding it was "anecdotal" and that no large studies had yet to come out.

So what are you on and how are things doing?

M

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Hi Murley,

First, I have to say, I don't find this message board that easy to navigate compared to other boards I'm on. I'm sure there is a section somewhere that explains it more. So I'll do the same as you have been doing and put my answers in capitals.

All is well here. How are things doing there? VERY GOOD THANKS, GETTING BETTER ALL THE TIME. I'VE IMPLEMENTED SOME ROUTINES FROM THE TIPS I'VE READ ABOUT HERE AND SO FAR, SO GOOD. ONE SITE TALKS ABOUT LIVING IN C.H.A.O.S. Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome, AND THAT WAS ME, BUT IF ANYONE UNEXPECTEDLY POPPED IN NOW, I WOULD BE OK AND NOT GO INTO PANIC MODE! CHAOS REALLY DOES BREED MORE CHAOS FOR ME AND I ASSUME ALOT OF OTHER ADD'ERS.

On Aug 10, I learned that of the three streams of an ADHD study I would be in the "medication only" group. I was hoping for CBT as well. WOULD LIKE TO UNDERSTAND MORE ABOUT THIS. I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT CBT WOULD ALWAYS BE OF BENEFIT???

I was prescribed Concerta 18 mg and told not to expect any change with such a low preliminary dose, and I doubt that there has been one. It should be increased on the 23rd as I have had no side affects. GOOD TO HEAR ALL GOING WELL. I'M ON DEXAMPHETAMINE, 4 DOSES OF 5MG A DAY AT FIRST AND WAS UPDATED TO 2 DOSES OF 10MG AND 2 OF 5MG AND I'LL DISCUSS DOSAGE MORE WHEN I GO BACK FOR REVIEW ON 30TH

I asked if I should take Omega 3 and was told that the info regarding it was "anecdotal" and that no large studies had yet to come out. THE PSYCHIATRIST WHO DIAGNOSED ME MENTIONED THAT THE LATEST STUDIES ARE SAYING THAT. HE WAS QUITE SHOCKED AS HE HAD BEEN PUSHING THE BENEFITS OF OMEGA 3 FOR A LONG TIME. I GUESS THERE IS THE PLACEBO AFFECT TO CONSIDER.

So what are you on and how are things doing? THE MAIN AREA I AM FALLING DOWN WITH IS REGULAR EXERCISE. I KNOW IT IS SO HELPFUL BUT OVER THE LAST 3 YEARS SLACKED OFF FOR VARIOUS REASONS INCLUDING HEALTH ISSUES WHICH COINCIDED WITH MY BIPOLAR DIAGNOSIS, SO I'M DETERMINED TO GET INTO A ROUTINE WITH IT.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR HAVING THIS ONGOING DISCUSSION, I'M THE TYPE OF PERSON WHO REALLY BENEFITS FROM SHARING WITH OTHERS IN A SIMILAR SITUATION AND HAVE NOTICES THE BOARD IS PRETTY QUIET IN THE ADULT AREA AND SEEMED BUSIER IN THE PAST.

TAKE CARE...REGARDS L

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Some of you might find this website helpful: www.Flylady.com . The whole site is dedicated to getting you organized and starting new routines. It would work great for me if I could stick to it. :)

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Hi Murlev & Serenity!

Just found this site, saw your messages and just had to reply. I am 57 and was diagnosed with ADD about 4 weeks ago. I have been going to the doctors for what she diagnosed with manic depression but the medications I was put on only partly worked and I lacked a lot of energy so she referred me to a Psychologist. She in turn had me take a couple of SPECT tests and she told me I was ADD, only realised through research that there are different types and dont know what type I am as I was, and still am in shock when she told me. The Psyc put me on Dexamphetamine straight away, 2 x 5mg tablets twice a day and feel so much better, more energy, able to concentrate and focus better too plus I havent had a depressive day since being on Dex so I am pleased as punch right now. Hope it continues. Went back to Psyc Wednesday and she has increased dosage slightly to 3 x 5mg in morning so hope I dont get that depressive stage you referred to after being on meds for a while. The only down side I can see is that I still feel figedty and I thought that may go with the meds, the psyc says they may go hence the increase so will wait and see. At my age I am not like a little boy jumping off walls, rather I move my toes and fingers as lot. Rather odd as until she pointed it out to me I hadnt noticed! Told my husband and he said, yes your always fidgeting, who knew ah!

Anyway, I dont have either of your problem of being disorganised, I am the complete opposite, very organised and everything in its place probably why I never considered ADD, as you said, I had images of little boys bouncing around, lol. If people could only understand ADD more they would understand how hard it is to diagnose.

As I have more attention and concentration now I have been reading lots of books from the library about ADD, also bought a couple and the Psyc has lent me one too. The one I bought was, Women and Attention Deficit Disorder by Sari Solden which I can relate to more as she mentioned some ADDers being organised so I am on my second read of that book to take more in. Its brilliant being able to read non stop and not get distracted by something, love it!

Nice to know that there are some older people like me out there that have just been diagnosed.

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Great to hear you are feeling the immediate benefits after the initial shock of being diagnosed with ADD.

I was so eager to connect with others when I was first diagnosed but found this board not very active in recent times so stopped coming back.

If you want to have a chat by email anytime would love to share experiences of being diagnosed later in life & how things are going for you now.

I feel I have levelled out & I'm so happy to finally know what was causing me so much confusion all my life. However being on the Dex has not been as good as I had hoped. I've been having CBT but the main improvement is accepting myself as I am and no longer beating myself up & feeling guilty over not being as productive as I felt I "should" be. There has been many improvements but under stress, I still get very distracted and start one thing & get distracted by something else.

Have sent you a PM.

Cheers Serenity

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