Grandma Has Adhd Too

I was 57 when I found a name for what made my lifeshare what we've learned. Look for wonderful authors
different. I discovered Attention Deficit Hyperactivitylike 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 ofsite, , or at the CHADD National Resource Center, If
ADHD was a revelation. I went "Wow! That's it !" Ityou 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 doneGet 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 theproblems like depression and anxiety, and will help you
joke. I thought that when I grew up I would be able tofind the best treatment. Medication can be very
plan, to get organized, to stop procrastinating and geteffective 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 spaceyefficient at absorbing the nutrients we need. Eat four
and lost in my own world. My big problem wasor five small meals a day containing both protein and
communicating. I never knew what to say. I had ideascarbohydrates, the essential ingredients your brain
rushing around in my head, but when I opened myneeds 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 toon green grass, under trees. Green space is good for
do with it. I had difficulty paying attention to them. IADHD. Treat your grandchildren. Take them with you
would respond absent mindedly, instead of with my fullto 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 lovelythe spring.
granddaughter. Now knowing how ADHD affects meTackle the chaos. A big problem with ADHD is
and with medication and coaching, I can pay attentiondisorder. 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, butyour conscience. It's worth making the effort to clear it
now that I am connected to the world, I can mange lifeup. 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 ADHDgrandchild 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 thea body double, can make the task easier.
most important things we've discovered, is that ADHDTips for managing ADHD
often does not go away as you grow up. The good1. Learn about ADHD
news is that now there are many things you can do2. 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 about4. Exercise with grandchild
ADHD; what it is, and what it isn't. Many good books5.