Now What Was It I Was Supposed to Do? Navigating ADHD as an Older Adult

You not only hear your joints crack more often these days, but you’ve been overlooking emails, forgetting about business meetings, or just having trouble managing your day-to- day responsibilities.

Well, you’re not alone—and your difficulties may not be age-related. Increasingly, doctors are diagnosing adults and seniors with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD.

The Apple Doesn’t Fall Far from the Tree

National Public Radio aired a story about a woman who, in her late 50s, started worrying that something was wrong with her thinking. She couldn’t focus. When her doctors ruled out a stroke or dementia, she visited a psychiatrist who clarified that she had ADHD.

She then realized that her mother, too, had often seemed “scattered.” ADHD is, in fact, largely inherited. Research shows that if a parent has ADHD, there’s a 50% chance that the child will, too.

A diagnosis of ADHD is actually good news! It can be liberating for older adults who were never diagnosed because they grew up in an age when ADHD was not yet widely recognized. Many older adults find comfort and relief in knowing that their struggles result from a treatable disorder, not a
character weakness. And you’re in luck—ADHD treatments can significantly improve your focus.

Make Sure Your Therapy Is Therapeutic

If you’re an older adult looking to treat your ADHD, you may benefit from a therapist who helps you appreciate your strengths and accept your shortcomings. At Cloud Counseling, we combine acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) with mindfulness strategies to help clients see new possibilities and harness their strengths. For example, if you’re a creative person who has trouble finding motivation, a compassionate therapist can help you draw on your creativity as a springboard to action.

There are a number of paths to achieving greater concentration and calm. The best starting point is knowing where you are now—wherever you find yourself on your journey. Cloud Counseling can provide you with knowledge and support to help you find the path that’s right for you—and take those first steps toward increased focus and peace.