[CCNana]

I'm 57 years old and never considered that I might have ADHD until this past year when 3 different Drs have suggested it. Now I am waiting for my appointment with a neurologist in 6 weeks at Mayo clinic to rule it out.

I grew up with a male cousin (who my parents raised) who was only 5 months older than I who was a classic ADHD kid; so always saw myself as very laid back and calm in comparison. It is only now that I have even considered that I too might have my own very different, but equally frustrating variety of ADHD

Most of what I read says that unless you had ADHD (diagnosed or not) as a child, you do not develop it as an adult, and certainly not in your 50s! So I'm hesitant to even mention it to people, and feel a bit silly about it all. Yet I need to find out why I am as I am and try to find some help for it.

So I guess I'm here because I don't know where else I can voice my concerns that people might have some chance of understanding. If you've made it this far, bless you. I just need to get this off my chest.

[Perna]

Here's the Mayo site so you can get an idea what they will look for or might see in you; you may only have ADD instead of ADHD, if you don't feel you have ever been "hyperactive". Girls are going to look different from boys in how they express it:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/adult-adhd/DS01161

[-jimi-]

My best friend maybe age 6 up to early 20s was severely ADHD. Back then it wasn't called that, but we all knew she was different. She got diagnosed as an adult and no one was surprised. So for me, that was what ADHD was. She never knew where her keys were, kind of out of control a lot. I always had a pretty good grip on things and was pretty calm a lot.

I never thought of myself as ADD, even if I could only focus on "fun" things, constantly daydreaming, always starting new projects I lost interest in soon and so on. I was diagnosed when I was 40 (doc thought I had it when I was 38 but there was a waiting list), and I sort of accepted pretty fast I had a lot of ADD traits, even if I've "seen worse".

Reason why I thought I couldn't have it was that me and my friend weren't similar at all. She was wild and crazy while I was the one listening patently to all her problems. I guess it took me a while to understand the ADHD is a spectrum too, not just one thing.

[sunrise]

I was diagnosed in my 40s. A lot of times people develop sufficient coping skills to get by. Then during particularly stressful times with high cognitive load, they may not be able to manage well anymore. That time came in my 40s for me. For you, it may be in your 50s. I'm glad you are going to a neurologist and will soon know what they think.

[gma45]

I completely understand. I feel that way everyday, in my mind I think at my age I should have developed some kind of coping skills.

[sremed]

I'm 52 and wasn't diagnosed until 2001. I was one of those guys who it was no surprise to anyone when I was finally diagnosed. I have noticed some of the symptoms have gotten a little worse since I hit about 50. From what I've read even "normal" people experience minor ADHD-like symptoms when they get in their 50's. Theirs are mild and sporadic, but similar.

If you ask anyone, "Have you ever read a page in a book and when you get to the bottom you realize you have no idea what you just read?" They all laugh and say "Yes, all the time." Well, they don't really mean "all the time." They have no clue what "all the time" is like.

Saying hello Nana....glad you found this place. Answers are hard to find and here there are voices congregated. I hope you find some insight/info here that might help while you wait. Good luck with everything and don't hesitate if you have some questions.

[GlorianaXII]

I've long suspected that I may have ADD and it's sort of being confirmed at the moment, although the diagnosis techniques where I live are appallingly medieval. But like the poster of this thread, I also feel that it's weird having to come to terms with something like this over the age of 40

[brainpower]

I am just joining this site today. I am intrigued with what I read from other members on this site, I wish I had found this sooner. I am in my 50's, I always thought I was the most missunderstood person. I was always a perfect child, never in trouble, but always being punished for not trying hard enough. You know "you are smart but lazy". Now that I am grown, I keep trying but nothing is never good enough. I hope from job to job, can't read materials and understand what am reading. Can't hold a conversation, Just no interest in most issues and events. I am pleasant to be around, but considered "air head". I live in a world of myown, usually do not care how others persive me. Very impulsive when it comes to every decision in my life. If I want, I am going to get, or do, or Quit, or whatever. Unable to sustain friendships, I just don't participate, its usually onesided and eventually none.

How are you doing GlorianaXII? came as a shock to me too. i'd been having problems for years and it was found just recently that an ADD aspect may well have contributed to some of the trouble. Not being treated quite yet but I'm looking forward to it. Wil teatment be an option for you later on? I'm feeling pretty positive about it all right now...impatient but positive.

by the way I was compelled to google your quote [mouse on the moon] and am going to see if i can find that one and 'the mouse that roared' online. i was told years ago to watch 'the mouse that roared'. kept forgetting. i'll watch both if i can find them. love peter sellars!

[GlorianaXII]

Originally Posted by quizzickle

How are you doing GlorianaXII? came as a shock to me too. i'd been having problems for years and it was found just recently that an ADD aspect may well have contributed to some of the trouble. Not being treated quite yet but I'm looking forward to it. Wil teatment be an option for you later on? I'm feeling pretty positive about it all right now...impatient but positive.

by the way I was compelled to google your quote [mouse on the moon] and am going to see if i can find that one and 'the mouse that roared' online. i was told years ago to watch 'the mouse that roared'. kept forgetting. i'll watch both if i can find them. love peter sellars!

Hi Quizzickle! It sounds like you and I are in the same boat, although I will almost certainly not be undergoing treatment simply because it's not available to me in the country where I live.

The quote in my signature line is not verbatim: it's based on memory and was a line by Margaret Rutherford (Peter Sellars was only in The Mouse that Roared - another of my favourite films), so googling it will probably not get you anywhere much.

Anyway, I wish you luck and successful treatment for your problem!