ADHD diagnosis after 50

[Smradek]

I'm in my 50's and have ADHD, the inattentive type.

As a child i had all the textbook symptoms of ADHD, they called it chronic motoric hyperactivity.

Both of my children display similar symptoms and strugle in school, and so I was looking for ways to help.

I realized that my childhood ADHD did not go away, it just evolved in to the adult version.

Symptoms like

structured environments like elementary and high school were OK, but college was a disaster.

constant racing thoughts

working memory problems

struggle to initiate tasks

easily distracted, but sometimes super focused

difficulty with sustaining attention

forgetful in daily activities

anxiety

caffeine helps, until it does not

just to name a few...

I went to psychiatrist to get a formal diagnosis.

Well, what a waste of energy, time and money.

While I realise his intent to help and downplay my struggle, but not by being

dishonest, not wanting to listen me out, and just pushing his narrative.

He said I have no ADHD, I'm just thinking to much and need to meditate more. Yeah.

I have another option after my next paycheck, we'll see how that goes...

[pinewafflesugar]

Hi there -- Your story sounds like mine exactly -- diagnosed at 45. Many of your same symptoms. My therapist said, "have you ever considered that you have ADHD?" I had not -- the concept was mind-blowing. Then I realized why I always felt out of sync with everyone else I knew. It opened a whole new world to me.

I am sorry you had that interaction with a psychiatrist -- so ridiculous and unprofessional. Hope the next one goes well. Sounds like you know what you need and will find someone who is on your team, though.

Mediation and therapy have been serious game changers -- it's not perfect, but the awareness and support have made a massive difference. Hang in there, and know you are not alone!

[chaos_pal]

With the exception of your problem with structured environments, since I was the exact opposite and failed up to the 12th grade yet excelled in college, and not getting married nor having children, our stories are identical.

Without revealing the practice's name, I went to a group located in the Andersonville neighborhood of Chicago that alleges to diagnose, treat and advocate for childhood and adult ADHD. I went through their testing, which was comprised almost exclusively with questionnaires, Rorschach and memory tests. To digress a bit, what does ADHD have anything to do with short term memory? Mine is actually very good.

My diagnosis was not only for no ADHD and anxiety issues, but the results they sent me included advice like "splash water on my face" if I felt too anxious. Let's just say there were politics involved as well, but frankly I can't get a test now and even if I had insurance, the wait just to start the process with a reputable hospital (of which there are literally 3 of them in Chicago metro, yep, for 8 million plus people), is 6 months to a year just for the initial consultation, then another 1-2 years for the actual ADHD tests.

So therefore, I'll never get formally diagnosed.

[Otterly001 in reply to chaos_pal]

Neurospych testing should have at least 19 tests in it and includes memory, tracking, emotional, analytical and other tests like MMPI and IQ type testing. That produces a picture. ADHD, non-verbal learning disorder, and overall-cognition deficits emerge. All tests are really needed to get a picture. I get this testing via my neurologist every two years. The test last fall revealed that some things improved slightly while others got worse. The doc literally pushed a paper in front of me, drew a straight line with 100 on one end and zero on the other. He said, "I will make a tic mark on the line for the result of each test and you will see." After fewer than 50% of the tic marks I got pretty teary as I saw my life expeience emerge on a piece of paper. Very painful. I asked what I should do to cope and he said, "You worked for 40 years. You lived abroad. You perform live music. You're one of the best copers I've ever met. Keep doing what you've been doing. And yes, expect that as you get older it will generally be harder to recover. There is no cure and current treatments have varying levels of effectiveness." Hard to hear.

[chaos_pal in reply to Otterly001]

My tests had an IQ component (which was literally trivia questions) and some deal with 3D blocks and being asked to duplicate a pattern. It was straight-up BS.

[Smradek]

I'll get there, one way ore another. I have to get treatment.

Yes, meditation helps with my anxiety and panic attacks.

To find out that my childhood ADHD evolved in to the adult version with all its implications was on one hand a shock, but on the other hand it meant that something can be done about it.

But when i asked AI what are the Long-Term Mental Health Effects of Untreated ADHD i got this:

1. Increased Risk of Depression and Anxiety:

- Co-occurring Disorders: Untreated ADHD significantly increases the risk of developing depression and anxiety disorders. Approximately 18% of adults with ADHD have major depressive disorder, and about half experience anxiety.

- Chronic Stress and Frustration: The chronic stress and frustration from managing ADHD symptoms without treatment can exacerbate these conditions.

2. Emotional Dysregulation:

- Mood Swings and Irritability: Adults with untreated ADHD often experience mood swings and irritability, which can strain personal and professional relationships.

- Low Self-Esteem: Persistent difficulties with concentration, time management, and social interactions can lead to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem.

3. Substance Abuse and Risky Behaviors:

- Increased Risk of Substance Misuse: Untreated ADHD is associated with a higher risk of substance abuse, as individuals may self-medicate to manage symptoms.

- Risky Behaviors: Impulsivity can lead to risky behaviors, including reckless driving, which increases the risk of accidents.

4. Relationship and Social Challenges:

- Strained Relationships: Difficulty with time management, distractibility, and impulsivity can strain communications and lead to misunderstandings in personal relationships.

- Social Isolation: Chronic stress and frustration can lead to social withdrawal, further complicating mental health issues.

5. Impact on Work and Education:

- Workplace Performance: Untreated ADHD can manifest as disorganization, missed deadlines, and lack of focus, hindering career advancement and job security.

- Educational Challenges: Similar challenges can affect academic performance, leading to poor grades and educational underachievement.

Basically all the f*****' shit that happend in my life is listed here.

I shivered in tears.

[chaos_pal]

I just typed a reply and the page gave me an error, how f***ing typical. Anyway, I give you credit for your confidence that your condition will be addressed. I've been disappointed by the medical community for over 30 years, and this instance is just the latest one.

This AI response may as well be my biography.

[Otterly001]

Very similar for me as well. It was the 60s and 70s. You were cray-cray, and you had a personality disorder. So I stopped talking to docs for decades because of that. No practioner then--and even many now!--understood. I inherited from my Polish immigrant great grandma. The myelin was utterly stripped from the related neurons. Tears just streamed down her face while talking to you. They said she was crazy. But not. And then my grandma, and my dad and his brothers, and now me and my brothers. The gift that keeps on giving....at lease it is a bit less each generation. Traceable back over 100 years.

Meditation (and I mean real hardcore sitting on a bolster in a sunny room in the morning for 20 minutes every day) and exercise were also game changers. But my body had failed to recover after 50 years of sleep deprivation, so I cannot work at age 61.

Those I was diagnosed at 57 with type 2 narcolepsy, which could actually be severe ADHD+RSD with intractable insomnia. They are treated the same, in any case. Then, when my neurologists started doing neuropsych testing every two years I got the ADHD diagnosis and Non-Verbal Learning Disorder as well.