My Intro

[Grandpiano]

I'm Michele. For my 70 yrs, I've been having ADHD, but was first diagnosed at age 52. Worked in Mental Health for 37 yrs as an Activity therapist & Work Adjustment Coord. I'm a mother of 2 sons, a son & daughter by marriage and 5 grands. Music is my therapy for I was born into music on my father's side of the family. I've played a little guitar, but piano is my main instrument. I play for my church. Until I had problems with my voice, I used to sing. My problem with my ADHD, is it's joined by menopause and Hypothyroidism. I'm a hot mess! Lol! But, I'm surviving. Happy Thanksgiving!

[Mamamichl]

Welcome! I was diagnosed thyroid conditions at 22. I probably have 1-15 years until menopause, and have 2 kiddos that are still growing.

[Wasted71years]

Hi Michele

Hope life gets better for you soon.

Hormones definitely affect ADHD severity, which can cause wider swings in the symptoms for women than for men. As I understand it, there is a blip in diagnoses of ADHD around menopause when the symptom severity increases and finally drives the sufferer to seek help and get that ADHD detected.

Sorry that the Hypothyroidism is piled on top of that - lower energy when we already face challenges with motivation.

[Attentiondefdiff]

Hello! I’m a hot mess surviving too! I’m glad I did finally get the right diagnosis for ADHD at 59. I sometimes get sad for the years of being treated for anxiety and depression thinking I was fundamentally flawed. Learning about ADHD and being aware of how my brain works has been a relief to some of my negative thoughts.

[STEM_Dad]

Welcome to the forum, and Happy Thanksgiving!