| I was 57 when I found a name for what made my life | | | | share what we've learned. Look for wonderful authors |
| different. I discovered Attention Deficit Hyperactivity | | | | like Sari Solden or Dr. Hallowell and Dr. Ratey. You can |
| Disorder (ADHD) reading "Shadow Syndromes" by Dr. | | | | start your search on the Internet at the ADDA Web |
| John Ratey. His description of the Inattentive type of | | | | site, , or at the CHADD National Resource Center, If |
| ADHD was a revelation. I went "Wow! That's it !" It | | | | you have difficulty reading (many people with ADHD |
| explained so many things about my life. | | | | do), look for audio books. |
| I did quite well in school, but I know I could have done | | | | Get a medical evaluation. It's important to find a doctor |
| better if I had been able to control my dreamy brain. | | | | with ADHD experience, and not just any doctor. A |
| Life was a blur. I was always a little out of it, | | | | knowledgeable doctor will look for other potential |
| wondering what was I missing. I was never in on the | | | | problems like depression and anxiety, and will help you |
| joke. I thought that when I grew up I would be able to | | | | find the best treatment. Medication can be very |
| plan, to get organized, to stop procrastinating and get | | | | effective for controlling key ADHD symptoms. |
| things done. | | | | Eat well. As we grow older, our bodies are less |
| It didn't happen. As an adult I continued to be spacey | | | | efficient at absorbing the nutrients we need. Eat four |
| and lost in my own world. My big problem was | | | | or five small meals a day containing both protein and |
| communicating. I never knew what to say. I had ideas | | | | carbohydrates, the essential ingredients your brain |
| rushing around in my head, but when I opened my | | | | needs to function at its best. |
| mouth they all evaporated. | | | | Exercise within your capacity. Go for walks in the park, |
| My children grew up but I didn't seem to have much to | | | | on green grass, under trees. Green space is good for |
| do with it. I had difficulty paying attention to them. I | | | | ADHD. Treat your grandchildren. Take them with you |
| would respond absent mindedly, instead of with my full | | | | to watch the squirrels, listen to the birds, kick dead |
| attention. | | | | leaves in the fall and watch the flowers come up in |
| They did grow up and now I have a lovely | | | | the spring. |
| granddaughter. Now knowing how ADHD affects me | | | | Tackle the chaos. A big problem with ADHD is |
| and with medication and coaching, I can pay attention | | | | disorder. You may have piles of stuff, paper, old |
| to her, and we have great conversations. | | | | clothes. The clutter drains your energy and weighs on |
| Yes, I still have piles of stuff and I procrastinate, but | | | | your conscience. It's worth making the effort to clear it |
| now that I am connected to the world, I can mange life | | | | up. If you find this difficult, and you probably will, ask for |
| as it comes. | | | | help, a friendly neighbor, a daughter or even a |
| If my story resonates with you, you might have ADHD | | | | grandchild someone with patience and a sense of |
| too. Do you think you're too old for ADHD? Never! | | | | humor. The presence of another person, what we call |
| We've learned a lot in recent years, and one of the | | | | a body double, can make the task easier. |
| most important things we've discovered, is that ADHD | | | | Tips for managing ADHD |
| often does not go away as you grow up. The good | | | | 1. Learn about ADHD |
| news is that now there are many things you can do | | | | 2. Get medical support |
| about it, so let's look at where you can start. | | | | 3. Eat well |
| Read to understand ADHD. Learn all you can about | | | | 4. Exercise with grandchild |
| ADHD; what it is, and what it isn't. Many good books | | | | 5. |