My ADHD was not diagnosed or treated until I was 52. Because I am "predominantly inattentive", I lived a lifetime not knowing the why behind the what. Even once ADHD was suspected, I was strongly resistant to the idea. I had a LOT of misconceptions about what ADHD was and was not. It took several months of personal research to begin to see the blatently obvious. I eventual went for further evaluation and started treatment.

The difference was almost immediate and quite dramatic. My quality of life has improved in so many ways since. Treatment of course does not cure ADHD but for me at least, it is far, far more preferable than not being treated.

After beginning treatment, I surveyed a number of online ADHD support groups. But none of them spoke to me - they are largely populated by much younger individuals. Few have an understanding of what it means to live for so long undiagnosed and untreated.

You might want to check out Zoe Kessler's blog on psychcentral.com

I am 35 and feel I have just begun to live. There are so many aspects about ADD/ADHD that I didnt realize had an impact on my life. Just simple conversation skills or a simple conversation with someone was hard because I didnt want to sit still and listen to all their garb...I just wanted them to get to the point and move on in the conversation, I also was frustrated with my mind and it roundy roundy thoughts. I never seemed able to get off the ride. My life changed when I stopped listening to others and starting taking an herbal supplement called "Attend". My mind lets for of thoughts, I have more patience, I think things through instead of jumping to conclusions, I am more responsive to my intuition then rebellious....Things are just so much better now.
I have also found that there is not much support for adults with Add/ADHD....so maybe we can build a blog for just adult add/adhd and we can swap ideas on how to build ourselves better.

Sometimes, I still have trouble following a person, such as an employer, when they're going over instructions. I take notes and then have to go back over the notes and study them. Once I get it down, I'm okay, but I've read where anxiety and Mitral Valve Prolapse go hand in hand with ADD and low blood sugar. It's a vicious cycle and I try very hard to roll with it.

My son who was diagnosed at the age of 12 with ADD and put on Ritalin which didnt work for him and he hated the sid effects anyhow he refused to take any meds from there on he is now 26 and its affecting him in so many ways from not being able to hold a job for too long he gets so angry very easily and so frustrated high anxiety over small things , he works out on a regular basis at a gym and eats very healthy which can help if your not on meds not everyone but some now it didn't help him but what we have noticed is helping him a lot is he is doing 90 mins of yoga each night and taking fish oil caps omega 3 I have noticed he is a lot calmer and not as anxious and not talking about leaving his job.
His live-in girlfriend also noticing big changes too.

I would start a group but as soon as I start something else seems to need my attention. JK It is funny though how many adults with ADHD there are and still very little support.

I just got diagnosed two years ago. There are many adults who can relate to the daily trials and frustrations you go through. I definitely know what you mean about "simple tasks" that can easily turn into major challenges. I feel stressed all the time and worried that I won't fulfill my responsibilities--like remembering to have food in the fridge, returning phone calls, and not buying everything I see. I'm sorry you've found so little understanding, but know that you're not alone in this! Best wishes and good luck,
Elly

Thank you everyone for the responses!! It makes me feel better to know I am not alone. I just went on aderall and its making me anxious, I am hoping this goes away after a couple days after my body adjusts. I had a hard time focusing this week. Being unemployed with ADD is hell! I have tried to keep myself busy.... doing something every day. I got my resume finished, it just needs some final editing before my interview Monday! I also signed up for a seminar on Tuesday to help find a job, write resume and interviewing skills etc!

Good luck with your interview!
Aderall is a good med not as bad side effects as Ritalin but it all depends what works for you like all new meds give it a bit of time you might find after a little while its the best thing for you.
find out if you can take fish oil omega 3 with them I heard it good for calming the brain.
Also working out helps to yoga is good! and a healthy diet.

You are so true. life is so complicated with staying focused. depression is allways there. no one on the outside can understand it.
I took up truck driving a few years back. can I ever get lost.
please write back if you will. denny

i'm a Mom with an adult daughter with add. It is so obvious to me, The more I read about it the more I now understand why she acts the way she dose. My life with her has been choas, fighting, arugments, never ending problems. Two years ago i said I can't go on with this craziness. We have tried to make up several times but it only ending in an argument Basically we are not speaking. She doesn't understand any thing i try to explain. She has always told me what to do. Our family has a big mess here. She has never listened to me. And now I have tried to e-mail her with these symptoms of ADD, she's tuned out. Her husband has been diagnoised with ADD, so he's NO help.. i know she feels unloved, is depressed and doesn't understand. I don't want things to be this way, but I feel I can't go on the way things were. I'm 65 years old and this is getting harder and harder. It seems any contact is a nightmare. Could someone give me any advice.

Hi! Finally someone like me. so very pleased to meet you.
I'm 60, and yes the depression,and anxiety is worse. I am seeing this more and more. I just got fired last week from another trucking job. and I'm lost trying to get organized an get my but in gear an start looking for work.
With add we put it off day after day. don't we?
hope to here back from anyone.
Bye

Hi, Krazie 23. i'm the 65 year old Mom who has an adult daughter with ADD. She has all the symptoms, the more I read the more Im cocvinced that ADD is the problem. She is causing me depression and anixiety. Any involvment is a nightmare for me. she has never been able to remember anything. She gets appt, mixed up, gets the dates wrong and the worest thing that hapens is when there is a problem and she describes what hapens it is nothing like what really happened. She gets mad when it is not even really what happened. Any involvment is aways turns into an argument and a fight. She has made me crazy with the fighting. No matter what happens I have NEVER been able to explain anything to her. Her husband is on medicine for ADD and he has had so many jobs. he always gets in fights at work. On top of that the now have 5 children. Have you tried medicine? Do you know the symptoms of ADD and how to try to help yourself get along better at work? Send me your thoughts.

Hi, I'm new to this site. I'm really glad that I have found it. I was diagnosed w/ADD, recently. I was told by two Therapists over the yrs. that I had ADD, but never did anything to understand this disorder. Though the consequences of my behavior: impulsivity; interupting others; starting a million things at once; forgetfullness. What bothers me the most is, blurting out things that are inappropriate; and interrupting others. Especially at work, it is causing problems for me. I had to talk to my Supervisor about this. I have an appointment with a new Pdoc. in a few months, and I am going to seek help, i.e., medication and therapy. I really don't know what types of medications there are for this disorder. But I am hoping that something will help.

I would greatly apprecitate any information, or advice that someone who has ADD, could offer me.

Thanks for reading...

My son is 39 and still suffering. I wont repost my story but you can scroll to find it "help my son & keep my sanity"....you're also welcome to read my journal anytime. Please hang in there....first step is recognizing you need help and wanting help, sounds like you do. GBU! Sorry I didn't see your story sooner, I'm new and still learning. Hope you got the job!

Thank you, Debra
I have finally stopped running from this. Part of the reason I have not gotten the help I need for this disorder is, most of my friends just make comments like: oh, everyone has ADD, now. So I thought it wasn't something that I needed therapy and, perhaps, meds. for. But after having my inablility to control opening my mouth and saying things that I should keep to myself. And interuppting ppl. while they are talking; being so impulsive, I am just tired of the repeated behavior, that I just can't seem to control.

I am seeing a new Therapist, soon. And I'm ready now, to admit that I need help. And want help, now.

I am really fortunate that my Supervisor likes me; as do my coworkers; I could have lost my job, last wk. This incidence @ work, was like a bucket of ice water being thrown in my face.

Thanks again, Debra. for your response. It meant a lot to me...