Diagnosed at age 51 (almost 6 years ago)

[ADHD68]

Hi - just introducing myself. I just turned 57 a week ago on 4/5. I was diagnosed in late October 2019 with ADHD - Inattentive Type, after suspecting it for awhile. I requested to be evaluated. I opted not to take meds; just knowing I have the Dx seems to help me be aware of my tendencies toward hyperfocus, restless project hopping, procrastination, etc. I seem to make certain commitments in life and then get bored very quickly. I am now working on gently pushing myself to stick with personal goals and plans I set for myself, and not keep chasing “shiny new object” syndrome. My Dx explained a LOT for me…. a lifetime of struggle. I’ve found that exercise and periodic meditation help (I need to be more consistent with meditation).

[PinkPanda23]

Pleased to meet you! I'm unmedicated due to side effects. I was diagnosed after being fired from a job of 11 years and going into therapy because of it. I'm convinced that my ADHD went through stages with my reproductive hormonal cycles, and put me over the top during menopause. Self-knowledge helps me not to be so hard on myself, but I still have very little success with self-management of symptoms. Time blindness, hyperfocus at odd moments, forgetfulness, interrupting, over-sharing, talkativeness, and impulsiveness are my biggest outward signs. I also meditate, and have been living in 12-step recovery for 33 years. It helps a great deal. Looking forward to this women's group!

[ADHD68 in reply to PinkPanda23]

I’ve been fired from jobs twice in my life, both times due to attendance/punctuality issues. It was incredibly humiliating and I was deeply ashamed. Those situations were long before I received my ADHD diagnosis, but I’m now convinced that my lifelong struggle with time blindness has been a symptom. I’m a lot better at managing that now, but not perfect. Just this week, I called my dental office to tell the receptionist I was running late, and she said the dentist had warned her advance that I might be (obviously he had already noticed a pattern). Again… really embarrassing. But for the most part, I am much better about arriving places on time or early. Obviously not perfect, but better…

[PinkPanda23 in reply to ADHD68]

Humiliation and shame - hallmarks of this Dx. The words lazy, crazy and stupid. Being told I'm just not trying hard enough. At least the diagnosis allowed me to build up some self-respect, and fend off the labels that misrepresented my situation. I'm not so sad inside since being diagnosed. That by itself is almost a miracle. And finding others makes me feel less alone.

[ADHD68 in reply to PinkPanda23]

Luckily, I was not told I was lazy, crazy, or stupid. But I was told many times that I was irresponsible, disrespectful of others’ time, unreliable, not trying hard enough (on school report cards, I often received the classic “she’s very smart but often distracted. If she would apply herself, she could be an excellent student”). In retrospect, all those reports cards were a GLARING indication that something was very wrong… But ADHD, especially in girls, wasn’t taken seriously or as well-known back in the 70s and 80s.

[Zippy333 in reply to PinkPanda23]

Oh gosh, menopause has been quite the trip!! Feel way worse with attention, memory, antsy, emotional regulation....researching a lot.

[PinkPanda23]

ADDitude Magazine has a webinar on ADHD and our hormone cycles. I think they also have some print articles, and are involved with the scientist who ran the webinar on conducting research. You should be able to access them on additudemag.com