229 ADHD at 74: It's Never Too Late with ADHDer & FOCUSED Member Ellen
Sep 19, 2023
auto_awesome
Ellen, spent most of her life feeling lost and struggling with various challenges, including depression. She shares her inspirational journey of getting an ADHD diagnosis at the age of 74 and finding a sense of belonging. The podcast discusses the power of thoughts, gratitude, and the value of community. It also explores ADHD challenges and support in the FOCUSED community, while emphasizing the positive impact of supporting others and finding self-confidence.
It's never too late to seek an ADHD diagnosis and get help understanding oneself better.
Masking ADHD symptoms can make it difficult for others to understand internal struggles.
Joining a community of like-minded individuals can provide support, validation, and a safe space to navigate the challenges of ADHD.
Deep dives
The Journey of an ADHD Adult
In this podcast episode, the host discusses her struggles and challenges of adulting with ADHD. She shares her own experience of how ADHD affects her daily life and explains the reasons for conducting interviews instead of solo shows. The importance of conversations and connecting with others who have ADHD is highlighted. The episode features a conversation with a client, Ellen, who shares her journey of being diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 74. Ellen discusses the challenges she faced and the impact ADHD had on various aspects of her life. The conversation emphasizes the value of learning and understanding oneself, managing emotions, and finding support within a community.
Recognizing the Effects of Masking
The podcast episode addresses the concept of masking, where individuals with ADHD hide their struggles and challenges to fit societal expectations. It explores how the speaker, as someone who appeared put together and successful, masked her ADHD symptoms, making it difficult for others to understand her internal struggles. The importance of recognizing that appearances can be deceiving is emphasized. The episode highlights the need for self-awareness and acceptance, as well as the significance of seeking support and understanding from a community of like-minded individuals.
The Journey of Self-Discovery and Acceptance
The podcast episode follows the guest's journey of self-discovery and acceptance of her ADHD. It explores the challenges she faced throughout her life, including difficulties in school, job losses, depression, and the impact of grief. The guest shares her experience of being diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 50 and the subsequent journey of understanding and treating her ADHD symptoms. The episode highlights the importance of therapy, somatic therapy, and coaching as valuable tools for emotional regulation and personal growth. It emphasizes that it's never too late to seek help, make positive changes, and live a more fulfilling life.
The Impact of ADHD on Relationships and Parenting
The podcast episode delves into the challenges faced by the guest as an ADHD parent and the impact of her ADHD on her relationships. It explores the mask she had to wear to cope with societal expectations and highlights the need for vulnerability and self-acceptance. The guest discusses the importance of setting boundaries and distinguishing between being a parent and a friend to her adult children. The episode emphasizes the value of understanding oneself, managing emotions, and seeking support to build healthier relationships.
The Power of Community and Support
The podcast episode emphasizes the value of being part of a community that understands and supports individuals with ADHD. It explores the benefits of joining the focused group coaching program and the role it plays in providing education, support, and a safe space for individuals with ADHD. The importance of connecting with people of all ages and gaining different perspectives is highlighted. The episode encourages individuals to seek help, gain knowledge, and build meaningful connections to improve their overall well-being and navigate the challenges of ADHD.
Most of Ellen's life was spent feeling like a whirling dervish without direction. Everything was a struggle, from school to maintaining a job to arriving anywhere on time.
She learned how to use her big, bold personality to fake it and make it through, even though she regularly battled feelings of inadequacy, shame, and judgment.
Life, as it often does, hit Ellen hard with challenges through her young adulthood, and she found herself battling depression for decades. In hindsight, she now wonders if much of that heaviness came from being neurodivergent, misunderstood, and undiagnosed.
Ellen’s story is so inspirational to me because it’s a testament that it’s never too late to get an ADHD diagnosis and seek help understanding yourself better. Age and past failures will only limit you if you let them.
Surround yourself with a diverse community that will cheer you on, validate your feelings, and support you in the good times and the bad. If you’re looking for a group like this, I encourage you to come join FOCUSED.
