Am I Too Old to Be Diagnosed with ADHD? A Case Study of Late Diagnosis in Your 60s
- Mar 12, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: 23 hours ago
[To protect privacy, the details of this case have been modified, and is a composite of several individuals]
When ADHD Seems to Start “Out of Nowhere”
A 62 year old male reached out with concerns of having ADHD. He had never been diagnosed before. His expertise was in manufacturing and engineering, being someone who understood much of the equipment needed to make large electronics. He reached out because he had watched several YouTube videos on ADHD and they seemed to be describing him. He was procrastinating, making many small mistakes and falling behind in his work. He was miserable. When we met, he pointed out that these problems had only begun relatively recently, which is usually a sign that the problem is NOT due to ADHD. ADHD begins in childhood, so the explanation had to be due to something else. However, symptoms are often masked by job fit, intelligence, or supportive environments.
Many adults in their 50s and 60s reach out with the same question: Can ADHD really be diagnosed this late?
Why ADHD Can Go Undetected for Decades
However, as we reviewed his school history in more detail, my opinion began to shift. He described inconsistent performance in school. He did well on subjects that he loved and did poorly on those that he did not. He would often get called out for looking out the window too much. He decided not to go to college because he had concluded he would not be able to keep focused. This educational pattern made me think that perhaps he had a challenge with inattention, but maybe not one that was clinically significant.
The Role of Job Fit in Masking Symptoms
When we reviewed his work career, it then became really clear why it had taken so many years for him to seek help: he loved his work! He had gone from high school straight onto the manufacturing floor. He was entirely self taught. Over his career, he became one of the people who could fix a problem, no matter where in the process it occurred. He thrived with the daily novelty and he was usually on his feet the entire day. His ADHD symptoms began after he had been forced into a new role, where he was tasked with writing how-to guides and process manuals. He had never enjoyed writing and disliked documenting his work and as a result he was struggling to get it done. In some professionals, performance decline after a role shift reflects burnout or misalignment rather than ADHD. In others, the change simply removes the novelty that previously compensated for inattention.
Late Diagnosis Does Not Mean New ADHD
Further detailed evaluation confirmed his diagnosis of ADHD, predominantly inattentive presentation. He was not interested in considering stimulant medication, though it was one of the recommendations. He was also recommended to have a conversation with his manager to pivot back to his earlier role. He solved that problem, too, because he was able to identify someone on his team whom he could meet with and verbally explain his tricks of the trade.
Not every adult diagnosed later in life chooses medication. For many, therapy focused on executive functioning, role fit, and stress patterns is the most helpful intervention.
Related Articles on Adult ADHD
Are You Too Old to Be Diagnosed?
No. ADHD does not suddenly begin at 62. But it can go unrecognized for decades. The key question is whether longstanding patterns of inattention, impulsivity, or disorganization have been present across settings since childhood.”
If you are unsure whether what you’re experiencing reflects ADHD, burnout, or a role mismatch, a focused clinical evaluation can clarify the picture.
If you’re questioning whether ADHD may explain longstanding patterns in your work or relationships, schedule a free 15-minute consultation to discuss whether evaluation or therapy would be the most appropriate next step.
Comments