i was just diagnosed at 50. I had symptoms my whole life but they were chalked up to character flaws of being late and poor home management.  I have actually withdrawn socially due to just feeling like the oddball.  My goal for going to the doctor was to assist me with “getting to work” on time.  I have been asked to resign twice while being told i was outstanding at my job, because i can’t get anywhere on time unless a relative is coaching me.  I just can’t afford to throw jobs away like that.  Must figure this out.  I am a single mom of 3 teens.

Welcome to the group!

I hope you’re feeling good about finally getting some answers.  You’re definitely not alone!  I have worked with many adults who are diagnosed well into their 50s and 60s.  It’s hard work to make changes in the way you do things at any point in life, but you definitely can!  An important place to start is to let go of that “character flaw” garbage (because that’s going to keep you stuck right where you are!), and educate yourself about ADHD in general, and how it shows up in you as an individual. 

You get to make a fresh start any time you’re ready to, and you can do it! 

Best of luck,

Lynne Edris, ACG
Life & ADD Coach
http://www.CoachingADDvantages.com

I was diagnosed a few months ago and it’s been a pretty wild self discover process so far…

If you are like me, you are probably shocked at how many similarities you have to such a diverse group of people… The differences seem to be largely the amount of positive habits and redirection that are in place.

Since I’m new on the path I won’t just blab away… I’d just say don’t give up on yourself, try to not feel frustrated when you fail to get it right, and think about it before you tell anyone that does not “need-to-know” (people are as uneducated about it as you were not that long ago).

Cheers,

Rob

I was just diagnosed today as well at 52.  What a shocker to me.  I too have had problems at work—- boss thought i was “insubordinate” because I could not manage to meet deadlines, was late to or missed appointments.  No matter how hard I tried, I could not do it.  Boss seemed to think I didn’t care, but no matter how I tried, I just couldn’t do it.  I feel for you, and understand that feeling when a boss thinks you have a character flaw.  How frustrating and undeserved!  Your comments have helped me, so I am grateful that you wrote them.  Thanks and good luck.

I am a 55 year old woman who was just diagnosed as ADHD in addition to being diagnosed as bipolar type II only a couple of months prior.  This came after many years of being treated for depression and anxiety.  It wasn’t until I read about the similarities and differences between ADHD and bipolar that I realized this and mentioned it to my new psychiatrist.  She said that I had ADHD without question but still believes I have bipolar type II as well.  She shared with me that she has ADD and didn’t know she even had a problem until med school.  Her specialty is child psychiatry.  I cried when I learned of the ADHD because I had absolutely no idea.  It explained so many things in my life.  It explained why I talked so much in grade school and learned so quickly.  It explained why I shutdown in high school and barely graduated.  It explained why I did so poorly working in a factory and excelled at my technical job in telecommunications.  It explained why I had such a difficult time applying for a new job when I was laid off after 17 years.  It explained why I did great in some social situations and so poorly in others.  It explained the mountains of mail that always accumulated on the dining room table.  It explained why I one day found myself $30K in credit card debt but could only account for $5K of what I spent it on at best.  Since then I’ve learned of several cousins on my dad’s side that have been diagnosed as bipolar and I already knew of a cousin’s child on my mother’s side that was obviously ADHD.  After talking to my doctor about it, I now understand why my whole dang family was so dysfunctional.  I just wish my mother was still alive so I could explain it to her.  Right now I’m at a new job and find myself really struggling.  It’s a new division in a major corporation with a lot of undefined parameters and a lot of noise because of the constant chaos.  I haven’t reached my full dosage of medication for either the bipolar or ADHD.  I can only hope that things will get better.  I am taking only 5mg of Ritalin 3 times a day right now.  Some days it really helps, others I have to check to make sure I actually took it. 

Funny how we notice the things we do now that we know about the ADHD.  As I was writing my comment I was on a roll until I was interrupted.  Then I started over.  I got up to check the dosage on my bottle of Ritalin and went to the bathroom instead, having to go back and check my Ritalin!...lol At least there’s a little relief in the humor of it all.

I was diagnosed at 53 (am now 59), and am grateful for this thread—I still have painful memories of my last job, fired after 18 years because of so-called “insubordination”, lateness which I couldn’t help, and my employers knew about my ADD, they just didn’t care.  It hurts to be accused so cruelly of things you are trying so hard to overcome.  I’m just trying to get over it all and not dwell.  Thanks again for this thread, it helps.

Mara

I was diagnosed at 52 (am now almost 54) I too had problems in school and on jobs.  I wasn’t late but I had trouble staying on task, time management issues and was constantly talking and unable to concentrate.  I have been diagnosed with all kinds of mental illnesses which “strangely” never responded to the normal modes of treatment.  Once the diagnosis of ADD/ADHD was made and I started taking medication, my life improved.  I am still the….Oh look its a kitty….person who is easily distracted, but at least I don’t drive people nuts with my constant chattering as much.  I too have a lot of anger over the years of misdiagnoses, but I’m also able to find the humor in it now too.  Fortunately my family seems to understand now that when I say I’ll be there at 2 and don’t show up until 2:30-3:00 or see the disaster that my house is, that I’m not being late on purpose and I really am not lazy about cleaning.  I still need to find a coach to help me learn to be more organized and finish tasks that I start, but life is still better than before.  I just wish my creditors would understand that I’m not a deadbeat, just have ADD. ; )