ADHD - do you have these symptoms?

[VeryWeirdBarbie]

I was diagnosed in my early 20s and used to be on medication but stopped taking it once I finished university. Now I'm 50 and I'm struggling with the following:

1. Can't concentrate in work meetings. I'm really falling behind in terms of knowledge because I'm just not listening and can't force myself. Luckily I'm fairly clever and manage to cover it up most of the time but I feel like it's getting worse. Also can't concentrate on any kind of complicated movies or TV shows which isn't serious but is annoying.

1. Bad memory. Can't remember what I've said to whom etc. Affecting my work and home life. Getting worse

1. Binging on junk food. Even when I'm not hungry. I workout a lot but I'm gaining weight because of no willpower not to snack. I was a size 12 a few months ago, now a 16.

1. No motivation to do basic tasks. DH has to basically bully me to renew my passport, change the address on my drivers licence, etc. Luckily he's very patient.

1. Taking up hobbies and dropping them. I've written 10k words of a novel but haven't picked it back up in a month for example. Guitar has gone unplayed 6 months.

Does anyone have any tips to manage these types of symptoms without medication or else do you take medication and if so, what? I read about Wellbutrin as being really helpful but it doesn't seem to be available here. I'm on HRT already and it's helping with other menopause symptoms but not these. Don't know if menopause is making my ADHD worse or not.

Menopause was when the wheels fell off for me. Diagnosed aged 52. Yes to all the above, and meds really help. Apart from the sugar addiction, that is! I'm also autistic and do have food issues.

All of the above except 2. Memory not too bad.
I was diagnosed last year aged 52 after 5 years wait, chaos and anxiety.
Started Elvanse 6 weeks ago and finding it extremely helpful.

I had all of those symptoms.Healthy eating and exercise help me to control my ADHD. I also take Amotoxine as it helps to regulate my moods.

The things that were helpful to me prior to meds was exercise (daily, vigorous, mornings), giving up on the pretence of being neurotypical and managing how and what I do work and socially (am self-employed so have more choice in how and when I work), increasing protein in diet. But in terms of pure functionality the meds are the game-changer.

I might have ADHD (undiagnosed) and struggle with food etc. I had a bit of a breakthrough moment earlier when I realised that rather than snacking I could drink a cup of tea / green tea / coffee / water. Green tea in particular helps metabolism weight loss and appetite suppressant (although use Japanese brands only because chinese brands can have high lead content - japanese taste better anyway!). I was thinking, if only I can convert my snacking issue into a drinking healthy tea habit, it would solve everything (I used to do this just got into bad habits). I've not tested it out again yet but am going to give it a damn good go from today. Just a case of putting the kettle on instead of grabbing a slice of toast / crisps or junk food.

My working memory and ability to concentrate or focus on things that don't interest me are both atrocious. I take xaggatin and it's an absolute game changer. Like turning the volume down so you can see!

Watching with interest as since menopause those same symptoms have become ridiculous.

I'm undiagnosed though.

Every single one of them. I no longer work because I just wasn't coping at all and basically fell apart when the reality of lockdown was finding out that I am so much better when I have minimal pressure.

I don't take meds (other health issues and high BP) but I live a very relaxed 'go with the flow' life these days and am very fortunate to be able to give myself a break. The diary didn't help because I never check things and I double booked an evening with tickets for 2 different things just last month. I call that the ADHD tax and try not to get bothered by it now. It used to really stress me out when I did things like that but I understand myself better now. There is little I can do to make myself manage expectations that have been placed by someone else so I have changed those to expectations of my own which are very little.

I am also in the very lucky position of having a very very good husband

Forgot to add there that I am peri

Yes, all of them. I have to take notes in meetings to concentrate / remember what's said

Sorry to hear so many others are experiencing these issues but it helps to know I'm not alone. I think I'll ramp up the "taking notes" thing - I do it for most meetings but not all. I think I'll start doing it for all. I also drink green tea and exercise a lot - funny how some of us have stumbled upon the same coping mechanisms. Any other tips please keep them coming.

I also have high blood pressure and the side effects for most ADHD meds are a bit scary because of that. The low stress lifestyle sounds perfect but unfortunately I'm the main breadwinner of the family.

Just re BP, mine has come down since starting medication, as my stress levels have radically reduced. Psych said that it wasn't uncommon. Things have moved on in the past few years - it might be worth exploring.

What medication do you take please, @IsItThough ? I'm worried any that bring my blood pressure down might also make me tired.

OP I could have written your post word for word except I’m pre menopause so I don’t thi no it’s a factor for me yet.

I work as a lawyer and all of what you’ve listed make it very very difficult to do my job! To the point where I’m spending this weekend thinking about quitting, I’m taking sleeping tablets for the stress.

Unfortunately like you I’m the main breadwinner

It's only since I have been on here that I've been joining the dots. Traits as a child, teen, and then as an adult all point that way. I'm late 50s, so I don't see the point in diagnosis at this point. Menopause has also highlighted some of the issues too.
My DC all show signs, 1 diagnosed ASD in his 20s.

All of them, I didn't know they were common traits of ADHD...I've always just thought I was a bit shit at life! Now I have a possible expl

*explaination

I'm on Elvanse, (lisdexamphetamine). Still titrating the dose. I do get tired but that is more to do with it making me feel like I can do/cope with loads more and therefore doing more. The BP lowering is to do with stress reduction, not a side-effect of the drug per se.

I think times of hormone disruption are highly associated with worsening of adhd symptoms ..hence why our household is a bit hellish at the mo as my daughter (medicated)is going through puberty and I’m (unmedicated )going through menopause! I would actually highly recommend mindfulness…it’s never going to rid you of symptoms but when I can actually bring myself to do it consistently it really helps some of my concentration and anxiety symptoms.