My issues have a name!!

[Robabe54]

I’m a 65 year old woman who was recently diagnosed with attention deficit disorder

I have lived a life of isolation depression and frustration never knowing what was wrong with me. Now that it has a name what’s next?? I can’t take meds due to heart issues and to add to the situation I have multiple sclerosis!!! Help!!

[Merle17]

My doctor wants me off Vyvance because it is bad for blood pressure. But I know I need it because of so many conditions besides the ADHD. I work full time at the age 75. I feel badly for your situation. I know that foreign travel helps the depression. In fact my old doctor prescribes travel for the depression. It makes the mind work harder - like a stimulant.

[Robabe54 in reply to Merle17]

I like to travel however I don’t have anyone to travel with and I’m afraid to travel on my own

[jdelmonaco19 in reply to Robabe54]

I’m an ADDer too...I’ll go with you ( lol)!

[JumpingJennifer in reply to Robabe54]

If you can travel, I strongly advise you to get out there and do it. On your own. It's only scary the first bit. Once you get there, sight-see, and problem-solve, you'll find you have more courage than you started out with. Does wonders for your level of confidence, too. Back when I made more money, I went to New York, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and Hawaii, all on my own. Just make sure to be aware of your surroundings and keep checking you still have all your valuables a ridiculous amount (I dropped my phone on the backseat of a taxi in Ireland, and not only had to spend the entire trip without it, but also had to pay to replace it... if only I had insurance on it!). Do it before your MS gets worse and prevents it.

[ESR1]

Hello,

I am 64 and was diagnosed after studying to become an LPN at 58. Looking back, it's something I've had my whole life. My sister says I live under a rock. Nice, huh?

I took Concerta for 3 years which was tremendous for me, but I relocated and went to a new psych who said my BP and pulse was elevated and took me off. I am now on 10 mg Lexapro and 300 mg Wellbutrin.

Can your doctor prescribe anything for your depression?

[theycallnemo]

Hi! I totally understand the frustration that must come with such a late diagnosis. I was diagnosed at 6, but was never really taught what that meant or given the tools to understand and work with my brain until rather recently. To have that kind of struggle without even a name to recognize it for so long is a great injustice to you. I commend you for fighting through that darkness and lack of support.

Your being here is an important first step. Finding community is a big part of the journey, and it's not easy. There's a lot of stigma and prejudice to fight through, as I'm sure you know; internalizing those attitudes can be an especially tricky beast.

I worry that many feel that a late diagnosis means it's too late to do anything. It's not.

Many of us are fighting against the stigma surrounding medication, but it is just as valid not to. I think people forget that taking or not taking medication is not always something you get to choose. Just because you can't take medication doesn't mean your experiences and your ADD are any less valid.

I found researching to be an interesting thing to do. Learning about the experiences of other people with my neurotype bolstered my sense of community and caused me to look at my past and how my ADHD has affected the path of my life. This can be an emotional experience, and that's ok. I find it can be a reminder that this is who I am and who I've always been; it helps to combat feelings of faking it.

There's really no set path for this; what you do next is up to you. Keep posting, explore, and you'll find community and tips on how to handle things. Folks like us have a way of adapting things to work for us- maybe you have already found some tricks for working with your brain! Share them, and seek out more if you're interested. Keep on doing what you'ree doing- and remember it's never too late.