My ADHD father

[drdistracto]

When I was diagnosed with ADHD a couple of years ago, I was asked about my parents and told that this was usually an inherited disorder. We concluded that my father very likely has it and that's where I got it.

Since that time, I have noticed a number of ADHD behaviors in him and it really explains a lot. One thing I have noticed is that he is more hyper than I. It drives my mother crazy. He also has a horrible tendency to start a number of projects and never finish them. He has a problem with hoarding things that most people would consider junk -- for example, he has a collection of old electric motors that he has never used that have been there ever since I can remember.

The living space of the house is not usually bad, but the garage is terrible and so is the basement. Right now, he has a mess of papers on the dining room table that need to be cleaned up and organized and a bunch of them thrown away/recycled.

He started remodeling the bathroom in the basement 6 years ago and never finished it. Right now I am trying to get him kick started on some of these projects so they get done.

But I really think he needs medication. He is now retired and does almost nothing. He talks about doing all these projects but never starts on them.

He doesn't eat the best diet (way too much sugar) and that has caused him to be overweight and to have elevated blood pressure. So I don't think a stimulant medication would be prescribed for him at this point unless he will eat better foods. But he really needs something so that he gets things done. It's increasingly important because he needs to do more of the housework because my mother has developed early onset Alzheimer's disease.

One good thing is that I was able to sit down with him and talk about my diagnosis and he was able to admit that it sounds like a lot of the things he has trouble with. He has for all practical purposes admitted that he has it. But has not sought out treatment at this point. I think it would make things better for my mother (and make it easier for me to deal with him) if he got treatment. It would help him as well.

I'm just not sure how to proceed. Any suggestions?

[Raye]

It does sound like your dad has many ADHD symptoms, and it's good you are looking out for him and recogonize it. If he is willing to admit he may have it, there's a good chance he will seek treatment, but only he can do it.

Best of luck

[Crosswired]

Since I was diagnosed last year, my mother has realized that my uncle (her brother) most likely has it. I asked her to remember what he was like when he was young and she basically described many of the symptoms I displayed. ADD was not recognized back then, so they never thought he had a disorder or anything. I had to educate my parents about it and they began to see the same patterns between myself and my uncle.

There must millions of older adults out there walking around with no clue they have ADD.

[CheekyMonkey]

My mom doesn't even believe I have ADD, I haven't tried to tell her that she probably does too.

[phantasm]

drdistracto - Did you talk to your pdoc about him? Maybe he can suggest a way to get him in, or he can suggest a doctor to fit your father's pdoc needs.

[Drewbacca]

Originally Posted by phantasm

drdistracto - Did you talk to your pdoc about him? Maybe he can suggest a way to get him in, or he can suggest a doctor to fit your father's pdoc needs.

Have you considered a van with tinted windows, and a team of ninjas?

[CheekyMonkey]

Originally Posted by Drewbacca

Have you considered a van with tinted windows, and a team of ninjas?

Typical. The 'ole ninjas in a van trick.

[drdistracto]

Originally Posted by phantasm

drdistracto - Did you talk to your pdoc about him? Maybe he can suggest a way to get him in, or he can suggest a doctor to fit your father's pdoc needs.

I'm not sure who my father's pdoc is right now, but he's been to a doctor recently, which shocked me. Usually, the team of ninjas would be required to get him to visit a doctor. I will see what I can do.

Is there a medication available that has a low risk of raising blood pressure?