Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Managing ADHD Through the Stages of Life

"Many women have filled up their lives with caretaking for others," she says. "Suddenly, they have nothing to do; this crash in stimulation can make them bored and anxious."

"Women on medication sometimes come in my office and say, 'I don't think it's working any longer,'" says Kathleen Nadeau, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist in Silver Spring, Md., and co-author of Gender Issues and ADHD ^[1] (Advantage Books).

"Sometimes we need to adjust it," she says.

The solution: Get involved in new activities, which can help replace the structured schedule you had when your children were in school, Littman advises.

"Find something to do that interests you – either a hobby or, if you're not working, a part-time job or volunteer [opportunity]," she says.

Also, make an effort to maintain friendships, especially if your social life has been centered on parenting, she adds.

This is another time of life when an ADHD coach or therapist can help – especially if menopause is making your symptoms worse, Littman says.

How Much Do You Know About ADHD?
Do you battle inattention and restlessness? You could have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). About 8-9 million adults have ADHD. Many adults are unaware of their disorder, because it was never diagnosed in childhood. Find out with this quiz ^[2] how much you know about this common disorder.