ADHD and getting older.

[Grandmaunderstands]

I'm 59 and I have ADHD but slowing my pace down. My problem now is getting motivated and starting a task. I have no consatration during a task and getting it completed,I seem like I skip around the whole house and do other things before I get the first task finish. Any advice?I also get tired easy and need to rest before I try and start again. Anyone else?

[Onthemove1971]

Welcome.. you will have so much to add to the group. Do you think medication could help with this? I often hear that is exactly what it helps when people take it.

I heard an adult say, having ADHD is like having fog over their brain so it is hard to tackle anything. But when they take medication that is the proper type, dose and timing they feel like a fan has blown the fog away.

Another thought.. have you tried working with a coach? They might be able to give you strategies to help.

Good luck.

[Eriknorway1]

I am having the same issues, but combining Ritalin and Wellbutrin helped a little wih my motivation. I am now on Aduvanz and Wellbutrin, same effect. Wellbutrin helps with depression, hence motivation. Maybe worthwhile asking your medical contact, you never said if you were prescribed ritalin, adderal etc (Advanz is also called Elvanse)

[ADHDx3]

What has worked for you in the past?

If you aren't interested in medications, which really help the most, my advice is to try strategies like setting a timer ("in X minutes, I am starting the thing," or "I am only doing the thing for X minutes). If setting a timer is an extra step that won't happen, just countdown from 5. Tell yourself you don't have to finish on a particular timeline and what you get done during that time is what you get done. Often, I find getting started is enough to generate the interest, and when the timer buzzes, I sometimes just keep going.

It may sound silly, but we also have blank game spinners we use. We write tasks in each wedge and spin. Whatever it lands on is what we do. It externalizes some of the getting started steps. Sometimes we create rewards for ourselves to help "if I do X and get this much done, I can have my ice cream/ watch my show/ take a nap."

I have started to discover that my self-talk really makes a difference even though, again, it feels a little silly. So, for example, when I take the dogs out in the morning and pick up their business right away rather than waiting, I acknowledge it by thinking 'that didn't take any time at all, and it's so much nicer just having it done.' Little successes like that build on each other and it gets a little easier to do the next task that I would generally be tempted to leave unfinished and have to cajole myself into.

And finally, be easy on yourself. If you had a friend who you knew had your challenges, what would you tell that friend? You would celebrate the victories and respond with compassion when they didn't quite meet their goals. Give yourself the same gift of compassion. It isn't easy, but it does help.