Well, at age 62, after having strongly suspected I might have ADHD since early childhood, I was finally tested and definitively diagnosed by a professionally certified clinician. Sigh… So I’ve been prescribed Adderall (10mg 2x daily) to see if it might help me stop being extremely scattered most days. I’ve only been taking it for a week, so I’ve nothing life changing yet to report. I have noticed my thoughts are a bit more ordered, and I’m able to think through and plan things a bit better. But, I’ve also read some pretty scary things about Adderall as far as increased tolerance resulting in the need to take higher and higher doses to achieve the same benefits. There are potential addiction issues as well, so I’m a little spooked.
I thought long and hard about posting this in CC’s Parent’s Cafe, especially since there remains a stigma associated with an ADHD diagnoses in our country. There are still many people who don’t believe it actually exists as a legitimate “thing.”
But most of those people have probably never personally had to deal with the myriad cognitive impediments ADHD presents. I guess I’m relieved to have finally had my suspicions confirmed, but I’m also a bit sad I wasn’t able to address the problem much sooner, because it has taken a toll on my academic life, my personal relationships, and my self-esteem for 50+ years. I also link lifelong issues with anxiety and depression to the fallout this faulty brain wiring has caused.
So this lengthy pre-amble is by way of asking what others who have ADHD do to handle its challenges ( if you’re willing to disclose such information). What do you think of medication? What other tools and strategies have you found most helpful? I don’t recall ever having seen a thread on Adult ADHD here in the cafe before. But then again, I do have this little issue with attention and working memory. 8->
I don’t know much about the treatments. But bravo for reaching out.
I know it’s easy to say, but there’s really no reason to care what others think. Based on their superficial understanding of brain science and chemistry.
We still can’t get everyone to get their kids vaccinated for mumps.
Follow your Doctors recommendations to a tee regarding the dosage and frequency of your meds.
And good luck and thanks for opening up the conversation. I am sure there are a lot of parents dealing with this who can use your perspective.
I don’t have ADHD or ADD but my ex-husband probably does so I’ve done a lot of research about ADHD. I think online forums and discussion groups can be helpful. Here’s one: https://www.additudemag.com/forums/.
Best wishes to you; I hope you feel better and experience improvements soon.
My H is 62 and is the poster boy for ADHD in denial. I WISH he would get diagnosed but his heart condition probably rules out treatment with stimulants. I used to joke that I wanted to put my son’s Adderall into H’s tea but due to the heart condition… My H thinks his ADHD adds to his charm. Believe me, after 37 years of knowing him, it does not.
My son’s doctor told me that for those who actually have ADHD, the stimulants are not addicting - they are therapeutic.
I applaud you for dealing with this. It’s people stepping forward to confront these issues head on that will help reduce the stigma. Just remember, people with ADHD are often very creative and bright.
My 16 year old son has taken ADHD medication since he was 8. It has made definite positive differences in his life and we (who at one time were reluctant) are glad we agreed to have him try it. The thing about the medications is that choosing the right one is often a trial and error thing. Son started with Vyvanse, then Concerta, and now is taking Adderrall, which seems to work best for him.
My husband and I both highly suspect that my husband has ADHD too. He has not been diagnosed, but shares many of the traits that resulted in our sons diagnosis. Organizational tools are a must for him, such as a regular place for certain things (keys, wallet, shoes, mail, checkbook, etc). We use labels on the inside of cabinet doors, in the pantry and in the den. We also keep a detailed calendar on the wall near where he puts his keys everyday, and he also puts all his engagements on his electronic calendar to take advantage of the remind function. He also uses the task list on Outlook to keep track of his to dos.
Both my H and my 20 yo son have ADHD. My son also has other issues, my H does not.
S takes Vyvanse. He used to take Adderall and the doctor switched him. When we moved a year ago he had to go several weeks without his meds due to a health insurance snafu. He says never again, he needs the medications.
H is 61. He took meds for awhile maybe 8 years ago He stopped after a few months to a year, not long but long enough to know if it made a difference. He has chosen to deal with it without meds. I can live with his ADHD if he goes running 3-4 times a week to get rid of extra energy and the angst. I am quick to let him know if he has gone too long without a run. He tends to yell at the national news on tv a bit too much and too loudly if he hasn’t done his running.
Caffeine also helps. Caffeine has the opposite effect on people with ADHD than it does on people without.
H has 2 master’s degree’s and holds down a professional job. He does tend to switch employers sort of often and that id probably due to the ADHD.
My 22 yo d was finally officially dx’d about a month ago and takes vyvance. She says the difference is amazing. She doesn’t take it every day, just when she will be needing to focus.
So taking any medication for adhd or the like, your body can adapt to the dose over time and sometimes your body needs more to stay at that same level. You’re just on a starting dose at this point for a few weeks/months to see how you respond. One of things to point out is not how you feel per se but if those around you see a difference that is positive or negative in anyway. Sometimes it’s hard for you to realize that your behaving better or worse.
Also being medicated is only one part of the equation /treatment plan. As stated so greatly by @gclsports making modifications and using planning aids etc is really important. If you have a smart phone then use the timers /notifications /calendars etc. Lots of times making lists helps. Taking any task and cutting it down to smaller parts through out the day is benificial.
As stated caffeine can have the opposite affect on someone with adhd but not always. Also better to limit or not have caffeine while taking a stimulant.
There are also groups to join in your area if group session will help through the adhd association etc.
Biofeedback helps a lot of people with Adhd but also watching your diet. Some will say increase your omega 3 etc etc. Lots of theories out there.
Some forms of adhd respond to exercise. It will help with clearer thinking also. But there are also different types of Adhd. But exercise is always good in general. For some with Adhd it can make a large difference.
You should be proud that you are tackling this issue head on…
BTW - many top CEO’s in the Fortune 500 have adhd. Makes for a creative mind which is not a bad thing.
I am pretty sure that I & my son have ADHD but have opted for approaches other than medication, and never sought out formal diagnosis in part because I didn’t want the meds. I’m not offering an opinion – just saying that there are other options for those who want them – and the choice might be influenced by other life & career factors. That is – the solution that works for me might not be appropriate for someone whose job has higher demands or is less flexible. (I mean, I’m lucky that I don’t work in a highly distracting environment or have anyone breathing down my neck or needing instant attention).
I’d note that my son & I clearly have the inattentive type – not the hyperactive type — and there is a definite difference in needs between those two different manifestations.
I’ve taken an approach of identifying specific problems and focusing on finding workable solutions for those particular issues or problems.
Since each person’s specific problems or challenges are different, I’d have to know what the problem was and in what context before in order to share my approach, assuming I have similar needs and experience to share.
I have found a B complex vitamin supplement generally helpful.
I was diagnosed at 35, after my daughter was diagnosed at age 8. We both take Adderall. The biggest difference for me has been that I am more focused on what I am doing. Off medication, I was involved with quite a few fender benders. On medication, I haven’t had one accident. What the medication does not help (at least for me) is executive function skills. I still am flummoxed about how to organize a closet or drawer. And my paperwork and files are still a mess. But I do function better overall on the medication.
I was diagnosed in my late twenties. My daughter was diagnosed at 15 and my husband absolutely displays drastic symptoms but can not/will not seek diagnoses. I was prescribed vyvanse but never took it- too afraid of drugs. My daughter is prescribed concerta and Ritalin in combo and it works well for her. She also goes to cbt, which is very helpful to pursue along with the meds. There was a huge difference in her ability to do her schoolwork and focus in her sport. My husband and I are more of a mess and I wish I could go back in time and take the meds and see how it went. Someday I may pursue treatment again.
One issue is it can take many forms- and the fact that many confuse ADHD and ADD.
Many who put down the diagnosis think anyone can handle anything, if they just focus. But, no. One issue is sometimes “hyperfocus,” to begin with (some of this is inability to get off the dime and do something or finish it. Some is that delaying and then the rush that comes from a last minute save.) One needs to learn coping skills they previously missed, unlearn the bad habits. It’s not just a pill.
You’ve only been on it a week, far too soon to expect much. And a good therapist will watch you to prevent things like needing increased dosages. (My kiddo was recently weaned off something, in order to prevent this dependence.) Don’t miss appointments.
And don’t add unneeded worrying. Usually, research reports will list every possible reaction- not what is bound to happen. You watch yourself and your reactions and report them to the pro.
A lot of us may have ADD, long term or adult. I often think the way we go back and forth on CC, argue, nitpick, could be a big indication.
Best wishes. You’re trying and that’s important. Keep learning.
Take a look Dr. Amen’s website. He has a podcast with good advice on supplements, diet and exercise for the various types of ADHD. Best wishes to you on this journey!