How do I treat ADHD at 50?

[Jayneoctavia]

After years of wrong diagnosis, they have settled on ADHD but I am too old for the medication (they think). My life is not worth living & I would rather be on a high risk drug than do maid. I need a medication! I can't take an ssri (makes it worse).

[Gettingittogether]

Most of us here (or close to most) are middle-aged people who were diagnosed not too long ago with ADHD.

In other words, you getting diagnosed at 50--that's normal here.

Who told you that you couldn't go on meds at 50? That's news to me and to people posting here. I went on ADHD meds at 46. I'm now 61 ... a year ago, I met with a really sharp cardiologist for blood pressure issues ... My pressure was fine. He noticed I was taking my ADHD med (Ritalin) and said something like "yes, it has risks but the risks are really small." He had no objection to me continuing ADHD meds.

Now maybe past 60 or 65 there is concern ... but my guess is that this will change over time.

So find another provider ... good luck! ... and there are antidepressants other than ssri's ... and sometimes ADHD meds help a lot with depression.

Gotta tell you: 50 sounds awful young to me! I had so much energy at 50--didn't know I had it til looking back! Good luck!

[BlessedLady in reply to Gettingittogether]

Many older people have heart and blood pressure issues. They make stimulants high risk. The OP needs to see another doctor. I wonder if the doctor that said stimulants were off the table due to age us a PCP. A primary care doctor tends to look at overall health more do than a psychiatrist. There are non stimulants that helps many people.

[Knitting20projects]

I’m 50 & psychiatrist who finally diagnosed me is prescribing a stimulant for me (I have no heart or blood pressure issues). My previous long term psychiatrist diagnosed and treated me for anxiety & depression with only moderate improvement. She was older than current doctor & said I was too old for a stimulant. Maybe a younger psychiatrist would be more up to date on current data. I feel a lot better & more hopeful than I have in decades. My anxiety & depression symptoms are much improved on a stimulant and we are going to eventually wean my SNRI dose way down. Best wishes to you!

[Wasted71years]

Hi Jayneoctavia

I was diagnosed at 71 and began stimulant medication as I turned 72. I take medication for blood pressure control, but with monitoring it is clear that it isn't causing any significant increase thus I am clear to be treated.

I would not want to be told I didn't deserve help because of my age.

[FindingTheAnswers]

I agree with Gettingittogether.

I was 47 when dignosed. I'm now 62. There's been no discussion (GP or psychiatrist) that my age is an issue in taking a stimulant. ADDH Rx hasn't solved my problems, but my life is much improved. I have NO desire to going back to the life I lived before Adderall.

[JackieID]

I am 60 y/o. My diagnostic was at 47. I started taking medication at 52. My life changed in a 75% for good. Now I am taking 20 mg Vyvanse . I am not want live like I was living before.

Ask for another opinion .

[STEM_Dad]

I'm 48, so I'm right behind you. I've had three different doctors since my ADHD diagnosis in 2020 (had to change doctors once after changing health plans, and again after moving). All three seemed to be surprised that certain numbers, like my cholesterol and blood pressure were so good for my age. So far, none have brought up this risk (because I haven't hit some magical number like 50, 60, or 65 in age yet).

I try to keep up on ADHD news, ever since my diagnosis. I'm aware that a study showed a somewhat higher risk for heart related issues or stroke from stimulant medications, compared to without. I read the numbers in that article, and the risk seemed to be only slightly higher than without ADHD meds. (If I recall correctly, it was a single digit percentage, like 5%. I don't recall the exact number.)

That much risk might be offset by improved quality of life by taking ADHD meds, which might reduce the likelihood of accidental injury or death, increase likelihood of being able to adopt and maintain healthy habits, etc. (e.g. exercise routine, dietary changes, practicing mindfulness exercises, maintaining good social activities...all of which have been proven to help with mental and physical well-being).

Also, the addition or adjustment in dosage of other therapeutic medication (e.g. blood pressure medicine) might easily offset the risk.

-----

I know I'm not there in age yet when I have to have this conversation with my doctor, but I've already given it a lot of thought. I think that quality of life with ADHD medication far outweighs the slight risk of sudden death that comes with taking them.

I lived until I was 45 before trying ADHD medication, and I don't want to go back to how difficult life was without them. (I'd probably have a shorter life expectancy just based on the anxiety I lived under back then!)

[BlessedLady]

Some doctors are concerned about Medical Malpractice if they prescribe stimulants to patients with cardiovascular issues. The argument can be made stimulants increase the QOL. But that is not what patients and/or families consider when they talk with an attorney in these situations.

[ADHDuderino]

Hello Jane, so it seems (reading other posts here) Im a "Youngen"! Diagnosed at 45 🤣 Ive been on my meds (50mg Vynase) for about a year, and its life changing! (And life affirming!) I had sunk low low past the light zone post pandemic, started Sertraline for anxiety and quite a severe bout of depression (max dose!) I got the diagnosis, started my meds, stabilised and have weened myself down to 100mg Sertraline, despite going through a seperation, almost losing my job. And I FEEL good! Not "great" but, stable, competent, mostly capable (still have ADHD eh!?😉) but definately Good. The emotional stability and wellbeing that stimulant meds can achieve for us is an unexpected and very welcome positive. I thought perhaps it was just me, but my very good freind from college has just been through the same diagnosis and started meds (different meds due to his cardiac history) and he confirmed that the emotional "overwhelm" and depression/anxiety are significantly managed by his meds and the effect on feelings of validity (of struggle), sadness/loss/lack of self worth (due in part at least to emotional overhwelm, "spiralling, washing machine thinking") capability (more productivity=increased confidence, more self forgiveness and therefore improved mood). Also, self educating from good sources such as here, ADDitude magazine (online), Doctor Russel Barkley and similar clinicians (look him up on youtube, fantastic!!) helps to better understand your own brain, Dopamine and how to manage it and behavioural insights that can help ALOT (and all of this is FREE!). SO, in short, get a second opinion, get started on some meds, get stable on type,dose and frequency, and see how your WHOLE WORLD WILL CHANGE FOR THE BETTER 🥰I have been to "despairville" in "Not worth living" land, its a big lie. That spiral of descent with one terrible destination is not the real world, its fabricated by "the lies we tell ourselves" and a world set up to reinforce that story. Get them Meds, they give you a very powerful torch with which to traverse a world that has not understood you for 50years (that is a long time to be misunderstood, minimised,misdiagnosed and struggling to find your way). I like to think of my meds like this: I have been walking backward through a swimming pool of custard my whole life, sludging through, pushing against the sticky, thick opaque murkyness that is existance with no idea where I am headed, only a view of how hard it has been to get "here".My meds drag me up above the surface, turm me around, and let me run, stamping hard across the surface, letting me see where I am headed and the path to get there. I still sink! But theres a rope to the side, a shower to wash away the stickyness (meditation, cant reccomend mindfulness enough!) and motivation to start again and run faster, stamp harder when I slow down, sink less often ))

I wish you well for your turn around into a happier place🥰

🌈🦄🐒

If you can do nothing else, be kind, kindness comes above all other things.....

[PinkPanda23 in reply to ADHDuderino]

Very good descriptions - I tell people I feel like I'm trying to think through jello! I can see things, but they're fuzzy and working to clear them is difficult. Nice, affirming and uplifting response. Thank you!

[Knitting20projects in reply to ADHDuderino]

Love your description!!!! And appreciate your perspective as I needed it today. Thank you.

[Stonesfan]

LSD microdosing could be a way

[ADDulting in reply to Stonesfan]

Have you tried it?

[Stonesfan]

Yes, I didn't like the stimulant meds so I microdose 7 micrograms of LSD for my ADD 2 or 3 times per week. I also meditate, take nootropic supplements, mindfully walk in nature and have a weekly CBT sessions.

I have written a lot about microdosing on Reddit you can follow my reports here reddit.com/user/stones4Eva