ADHD BOOMER

[HxaroClo]

I'm turning 60 soon. My mom used to say "if ypur head wasn't screwed onto your neck you would forget it" so I'm pretty sure I had ADHD long before my diagnosis 15 years ago.

I am worried now that all my ADHDness will soon be attributed to age, which might complicate treatment and even support.

Has anyone faced this?

[BlessedLady]

At some point after reaching 65.. Your age will affect your treatment if you are taking stimulants. Several years ago, the FDA made pharmaceutical companies put a warning on stimulants about prescribing to those 65 and older. The warning is due to cardiovascular events.

[HxaroClo in reply to BlessedLady]

I have never been able to tolerate medication without feeling like I was going to throw myself off of a cliff. Even with careful titration, meds never worked. I suppose the treatment I am thinking of are things like CBT, nutritionist and other areas. But that is super interesting about the FDA. Yay another thing to look forward to at 65.

[Gettingittogether]

Well not really. Trust me: I have a friend who just turned 80. He complains about the decline in his executive function. Him at his weakest executive function runs circles around me at my highest and most treated executive function.

There is a huge difference between ADHD and declining function as a result of age. My father was the one person in our family without ADHD, and his organization held into his late 80's! And when he thought he wasn't as sharp, he was organized enough to trust me and my brother to take care of things. Even in surrendering control, he was more thoughtful and organized and precise than most people with ADHD.

[Hidden]

I’m with you! I won’t take stimulants because of the increased cardiovascular risks! This isn’t easy every day. Support and learning are critical for me. I just wanted to thank you for sharing. I want to encourage you that there are good days. Sometimes for me, awareness makes an extreme difference. Tools set the changes in motion. I wish you the very best!