seeking help for adhd in adults

[Bmcsadhd]

I am 45 years old, and I have always figure out how to make adhd work for me! But the last two years something is doing different… it is like there is a disconnect there that hasn’t been before. I suffer from brain fog constantly & no it is not my diet! I’m healthy as a horse. And due to the lack of motivation caused by what I am calling brain fog; it is effecting me at work ( big $ mistakes) so if any out here would like to help, feel free….. I’m listening. Thanks B.McK

[BLC89]

Hello Bmcsadhd,Both men and women go thru hormonal changes as we age. If you are on meds you may look at changing the dose or even the medication itself. If you are not on meds you may look into that.

Medication doesn't have to be forever, it can be a stop gap.

Brain fog is a common side effect of poor sleep, hormonal changes, and stress.

One non-med thing you can't try is meditation. It has been shown to have a huge impact on focus for ADHDers. It takes a little while to notice a change but it really can help. Give it at lease a month before deciding if it is a good fit.

And there are lots of choices for meditation too, you don't have to be still or even clear your mind of all thought (not really possible) so try a few different styles until you find one that fits.

Exercise is another non-med option. High cardio for 45 min per day, most days of the week is another good focus increaser and brain fog decreaser. If you're an avid exerciser you may need to make some changes as your body changes. You can do too much and it can detract from your mental facilities.

All in all, accept that as we age we change and we can't always keep doing what we were doing, or not doing, before.

I hope that helps,

BLC89q

[LisethHIS]

Good day, Bmcsadhd,

Thank you for contacting CHADD National Resource Center on ADHD. Navigating the changes that come with aging and ADHD can be quite a journey. I'm pleased to hear that you've had success in the past. Now, to help you get back on track, here are some articles and additional resources that may be beneficial to you. Also, it's important to discuss these changes with your medical provider as well. They can provide valuable guidance and support tailored to your specific needs.

chadd.org/adhd-weekly/is-it...

youtube.com/watch?v=EOfBo0D...(Not working as expected?)

d393uh8gb46l22.cloudfront.n...

chadd.org/adhd-weekly/brain...

If there is anything else you need, please let me know.

Best regards,

Liseth

Health Information Specialist

CHADD’s National Resource Center on ADHD

chadd.org

[givemethereins]

Sounds like perimenopause. Which surprise surprise, the symptoms are exacerbated by AdhD. Brain fog and low mood and spiraling sense of doom about stuff, was my time experience for almost 2 yrs from the same age, 45 till suddenly my period just stopped at the age of 48. And I was told I'd been going through perimenopause without realising it. No hot flashes except for a couple of odd days where I felt extremely odd. But I would look into that as you don't have to love like that. You can take HRT while I do. Mostly because the symptoms of adhd are exacerbated by perimenopause and vice versa. Goof luck

[givemethereins]

Typed from my phone. Apologies for the typos.

[SAJ67]

It could be the start of menopause as that's exactly what happened to me. I coped with ADHD and Dyslexia up to the age of about 50 with no medication or input from any service. I put strategies in place that got me through, yes it was exhausting and challenging but it worked (most of the time). However soon as the beginning of menopause hit I couldn't work with the strategies I'd put in place which left me vulnerable and chaotic.

I am now medicated and able to develop different strategies that support what I need to do ......its definitely not easy but its a massive improvement.

[Steph99 in reply to SAJ67]

I agree with SAJ67 that hormones may be factoring into the symptom. I experience brain fog near my period and cycle each month with a few days of fog that is difficult to manage.

[Sonias_777]

Id suggest seeking mental health and medication

[Steph99]

Do you keep a journal? I keep an audio and written journal to record diet, water intake, sleep, exercise and any stress related issues or encounters. I notice brain fog that is related to stressful encounters or situations, as well as sleep. Diet and vitamins have caused brain fog and I’ve noticed brain fog near my period that let me know that the problem was related to my cycle. I also experience migraine that causes brain fog and am careful to different migraine patterns and symptoms from the ADHD. Without journaling I was in the dark and was not able to make adjustments to diet and sleep patterns and get the space I needed to mitigate stress and better care for my health and wellness. I noticed other members point to meditation and I agree that a meditation practice also addresses this issue. It may not be meditation in the form that you first think of it as. Yes—clearing the mind and deep breathing in a comfortable spot is meditation and this works. However any activity that you are fully experiencing and aware with no distraction or clearing distraction from is a form of meditation which has benefits. For example, eating. You can eat a snack or meal being fully conscious absorbed and aware of the meal without any thoughts. You are completely aware of the smell and taste of the food. The movements to bring the food to your mouth, tasting, chewing, swallowing, and drinking. Each bite. Until finished. That is a form of meditation. A walk. Planting a flower or tree. Painting a vase or fence. Cooking a meal. Exercising. Drinking a glass of water. Peeling an orange. Start with deduction. Look at all of the factors that may contribute to the brain fog and start journaling and thinking of healthy adjustments that might address the issue. Discuss the journal insights and any findings with your doctor. There may be an underlying medical issue or problem that the doctor can assist with if lifestyle adjustments don’t improve mental clarity.