Dec 7
We’ve known for quite some time that ADHD doesn’t just “go away” with age, yet only about 4% of boomers have a diagnosis. So why the huge discrepancy, what are the impacts, and most importantly, what can we do about it?
Dr. Kathleen Nadeau has been working to answer these questions for the last few decades. Along with many other accomplishments, she’s the author of Still Distracted After All These Years, the only book focusing on the needs of older adults with ADHD.
During my conversation with the brilliant Dr. Nadeau, she shares about her personal ADHD journey, her work in the field, the three biggest factors impacting older ADHD women, and ways to support your body, brain, and well-being through all stages of life. Dr. Nadeau’s work serves as an important reminder that life doesn’t have to stop at retirement, and we can always continue adding joy and meaning to our lives no matter our age.
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"Throughout our lives, one of the core issues has to do with social interaction. We so crave feeling connected and accepted, and it's so hard for many, many women with ADHD."
- Dr. Kathleen Nadeau
"I talk about addition and subtraction. Life is going to subtract things from us. We lose our physical agility to a certain extent, we lose friends because they become ill, pass away, move away. So there is a very predictable series of losses that can lead to depression, isolation, having a very small life. But it doesn't have to be that way, and that's where the addition comes in."
- Dr. Kathleen Nadeau
"I am the mother of a woman with ADHD, the grandmother of two girls, the sister of a woman with ADHD. I have lived this experience, not just worked as a professional. So the more I can get the word out, the better."
- Dr. Kathleen Nadeau
- Dr. Nadeau shared a funny story about forgetting her notes at an award ceremony, highlighting the glitches that still happen in her life despite her accomplishments.
- Inadequate training for physicians in diagnosing ADHD persists, with some training programs still focusing solely on hyperactivity.
- Expert highlights significant gap in understanding ADHD in older adults, with average life expectancy decrease of nearly a decade for untreated males.
[20:07 - 28:41] ADHD and its impact on health and longevity
- ADHD individuals are more prone to unhealthy habits, leading to earlier death due to accidents, suicide, and poor nutrition/sleep.
- Dr. Nadeau explains that dementia is now being referred to as a lifestyle disease, similar to type 2 diabetes, and that lifestyle choices commonly made by people with ADHD can lead to dementia.
- Dr. Nadeau suggests creating support groups for adults with ADHD to encourage healthy living habits, such as daily exercise and a balanced diet.
- Woman in assisted living feels ostracized by organized cliques of females, despite ADHD diagnosis.
- Panelist discusses how hormonal fluctuations during puberty may impact ADHD diagnosis and treatment in girls.
- Dr. Nadeau is passionate about sharing her knowledge on ADHD and its diagnosis and treatment, particularly for women.
