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