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