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ADHD in older adults

The Wall Street Journal quotes Dr. David W. Goodman on Older Adult ADHD

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The Wall Street Journal published an article on ADHD in older adults over age 50. Quoted in the article, I helped provide important information on this subject. Highlighting why ADHD needs to be considered in older adults complaining of cognitive difficulties, the article serves to increase public awareness on a disorder clinicians don’t ever consider when seeing older adults.

Fortunately, ADHD in older adults responds very well to the traditional ADHD medicine and therapies. It is so important to get a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation from an expert who understand how to make this diagnosis accurately.

If you are reading this blog, then you are interested in this topic. I encourage you to listen to my NPR interview on ADHD in older adults. It is never to late for an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.

David W. Goodman, M.D., LFAPA

ADDitude Magazine Webinar ADHD in Older Adults David W. Goodman, MD

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On May 1, 2018 I presented the first webinar for ADDitude Magazine on ADHD in adults over the age 50. The presentation with audio and slides is available to be hear for free. This is a rare discussion of prevalence, diagnosis, impairments, and treatment of older adults. Complaints of cognitive symptoms are common in older adults, however, ADHD is rarely considered in the diagnostic considerations. Rarely are adults with ADHD diagnosed in childhood because in the 1960s-70s, only hyperactive, disruptive boys were diagnosed. Therefore, clinicians, not trained to identify ADHD, often miss the diagnosis especially in older adults.

Listen to the webinar and learn how ADHD persists for a lifetime in many adults.

ADDitude Magazine Webinar “ADHD in Older Adults” David W. Goodman, M.D. May 1, 2018

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Technology is not always a cooperative servant. My ADDitude Magazine webinar scheduled on Febuary 27, 2018 was interrupted by a technical problem after 10 minutes. No one was more upset about this than I. However, good news. the webinar has been rescheduled for May 1 Tuesday 1pm for 1 hour. This will be a 30+ minute presentation with slides followed by Q and A live. You can register for the webinar and, if not available for the time, watch it at a convenient time for you.

In this webinar, you will learn:

  1. how to identify and understand ADHD symptoms in adults over age 50
  2. the importance of an accurate diagnosis in older adults who are experiencing mental changes
  3. why clinicians don’t consider that ADHD might be the reason for “thinking problems” in older adults
  4. signs that clinicians and older adults should be aware of in the diagnosis process
  5. how stimulants might fit into a treatment regimen for adults who are taking multiple medications
  6. how medication and organizational skills can improve daily functioning and quality of life
  7. how to approach a parent who you suspect has had lifelong inattention and disorganization

Hope you can join us…and tell anyone who might benefit….like your parents who have had symptoms for as long as you can remember. While the webinar is billed for clinicians based of the research basis of the presentation, it will not be beyond the scope of the general public to understand.

David W. Goodman, M.D.

ADDitude Magazine Webinar “ADHD in Older Adults” David W. Goodman, M.D.

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ADDitude Magazine online invited me to present a free webinar on ADHD in Older Adults Tuesday, February 1pm EST. Because I co-authored the first literature review of world-wide scientific research on ADHD in older adults, ADDitude Magazine believes it is an important issue for its millions of readers. Register for the webinar and if you can’t make the time, it will be available for replay and podcast download from iTunes.

While it is well established that ADHD persists into adulthood in 60% of children with ADHD, there is almost no recognition of ADHD in people over age 50. However, there is enough international research to alert people and clinicians that ADHD should be considered and part of the evaluation for cognitive complaints in aging patients.  This is especially true when ADHD has been diagnosed in a first degree relative (mother, father, son, daughter).

So, if an older family member has a history of life-long inattention, poor memory, forgetful, misplacing things, taking too long to complete tasks, shows up late, doesn’t listen in conversations, easily eruptive and impatient, …well, you get the picture, then join me for the webinar where I’ll cover some the scientific research along with insights for diagnosis and treatment. Perhaps more importantly, how to approach an older family member with your observations and concerns.

For my older patients diagnosed and effectively treated, they are grateful to function at a higher level, relieved of the fear of dementia, and now realise “That (ADHD) wasn’t me as a person.” At any age, that insight is liberating.

In this webinar, you will learn:

  1. how to identify and understand ADHD symptoms in adults over age 50
  2. the importance of an accurate diagnosis in older adults who are experiencing mental changes
  3. why clinicians don’t consider that ADHD might be the reason for “thinking problems” in older adults
  4. signs that clinicians and older adults should be aware of in the diagnosis process
  5. how stimulants might fit into a treatment regimen for adults who are taking multiple medications
  6. how medication and organizational skills can improve daily functioning and quality of life
  7. how to approach a parent who you suspect has had lifelong inattention and disorganization

Psychiatric Times interviews Dr. David W. Goodman about ADHD in older adults

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Psychiatric Times interviewed Dr. Goodman about the unrecognized prevalence of ADHD in adults over age 50. The Psychiatric Times, , a profession psychiatric print newspaper, is  distributed to 30, 000 U.S. psychiatrists. You can listen to the concise 6 minute interview and learn more about ADHD that persists throughout one ‘s life. While the challenges of life change at different developmental phases (school, college, first job, marriage, children, job changes/promotions), ADHD symptoms persist to an impairing degree for 60% of children with ADHD.

The impact of untreated ADHD later in life can have significant negative impact on your ability to effective handle daily tasks and responsibilities. In fact, no adults over age 60 diagnosed with ADHD were diagnosed as children. Makes sense since ADHD was rarely considered in the 1950s and 1960s.

Treatment seems to be effective later in life and people with chronic symptoms of ADHD should seek an evaluation with an experienced doctor or clinician. My older patients have been grateful to discover “It was ADHD, not me as a person.”

Dr. David W. Goodman ADHD in older adults U.S. News and World Report March 2016

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Since the recent publication of our literature of published research on ADHD in adults over age 50, several news outlets have been interested in bring this subject to the public eye. ADHD in adults persists throughout one’s life. It does not go away because you got your AARP card or Medicare benefits.

Because I believe in the importance of accurate diagnosis and effective treatment for ADHD regardless of age, I wrote an editorial piece that U.S. News and World Report published online on March 7, 2016. This article was picked up by several news (Yahoo News) and professional organizations (American Professional Society for ADHD and Related Disorders – an organization of international clinicians and researchers, and the National Resource Center-a CDC funded organization affiliated with Children and Adults with ADHD Association CHADD).

For most people with ADHD, it is a lifelong condition to be understood, appreciated, respected, and treated effectively. Quality of function and life are greatly effected regardless of your age. I always encourage people with lifelong symptoms of ADHD to get a competent evaluation and learn more about managing these symptoms to improve daily functioning.

 

Dr. David W. Goodman interviewed by WOSU (NPR) on Adult ADHD January 26, 2016

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It appears that the topic of ADHD in older adults is catching some attention. I was invited by Ann Fisher of WOSU Radio (NPR affiliate) in Columbia, Ohio to discuss adult ADHD especially in older adults. The host, Ann, asked insightful questions about identification and diagnosis in older adult and how that’s different from younger adults and children. We also covered treatment options including medication and cognitive behavioral therapy.

I am very excited that some media outlets have decided that ADHD in older adults is an opportunity to increase public awareness that “ADHD is not just for kids.”

I invite you the listen to the 20 minute interview. You can find it here. On the time scroll bar, move it to 14:40 minute mark to listen.

David W. Goodman, M.D.

National Public Radio (NPR) interviews Dr. David W. Goodman on ADHD in older adults

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ADHD in adults has now been recognized by clinicians for many years now. However, ADHD in older adults has received almost no attention because research has limited its work to those people under the age of 50. There is a body of research developing in older adults and I recently published with my colleagues a review of world-wide english published literature.

National Public Radio had the foresight to understand that this population of older adults with ADHD needs acknowledgement with a call to attention for their need for evaluation and treatment. To that end, they developed a broadcast with my assistance.

I invite you to listen/read both the audio and web text version are now available to the public. We can no longer discount the consequential negative impact of untreated ADHD on your parents and grandparents.

David W. Goodman, M.D.

National Public Radio (NPR) interviews Dr. David W. Goodman on ADHD in older adults Jan 18th Mon 8am “Morning Edition”

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National Public Radio will air an interview with Dr. David W. Goodman on Jan 18th Monday on “Morning Edition” 8am. In addition to Dr. Goodman, older adults will offer their insight on struggling with ADHD for their whole life and the transformation that occurred with an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment. I published a review of scientific literature last month in the journal Drugs and Aging that consolidated all, yet limited, research into one source. With an aging population with ADHD, this group of people will be the next clinical frontier for research, education, and treatment.

In order to insure that this disorder is not misdiagnosed and inappropriately treated, clinicians, mental health professionals and the general public need to be aware of this disorder in older adults. I hope that I can increase awareness by participating in the media’s coverage of this important and developing topic.

David W. Goodman, M.D.

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