In this episode, Jami Shapiro sits down with nurse practitioner and ADHD specialist Maggie Alexander for an eye-opening conversation about ADHD medication, especially in older adults.

For many people, ADHD has long been misunderstood, misdiagnosed, or simply overlooked, particularly in women and those diagnosed later in life. And when it comes to treatment, there’s still a lot of confusion, fear, and misinformation around medication.

Maggie brings both clinical expertise and real-world experience to the conversation, breaking down what ADHD medications actually do, how they work in the body, and why age should not be a barrier to treatment.

What You’ll Learn

• Why ADHD is often mistaken for anxiety or depression
• The truth about stimulant medication in older adults
• How to know if a medication is actually working for you
• The real difference between Adderall and Ritalin
• Why dosage has nothing to do with age or body size
• What “start low, go slow” really means
• The overlooked emotional side of ADHD (RSD)

Why This Matters

Many adults spend years, even decades, being treated for the wrong thing.

This episode sheds light on what happens when ADHD is missed, and what becomes possible when it’s finally understood and supported properly.

The ADHD Button Question

Jami asks every guest: If there were a button that could remove your ADHD forever, would you press it?

While Maggie doesn’t have ADHD herself, the conversation reinforces a powerful theme heard across the podcast, that ADHD, while challenging, is also deeply tied to creativity, intuition, and how people experience the world.

About the Guest

Maggie Alexander is a psychiatric nurse practitioner specializing in ADHD. She has worked with hundreds of patients and focuses on precise, individualized treatment. She is the author of Shine with ADHD.

About the Host

Jami Shapiro is an ADHD coach, speaker, and founder of Silver Linings Transitions. Through her podcast Grandma Has ADHD, she brings awareness to ADHD in older adults — especially women — helping listeners better understand their brains and navigate life with more clarity and compassion.

Resources

• Shine with ADHD by Maggie Alexander
• ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS)

Links & Support

• Website: https://www.jamishapiro.me
• Silver Linings Transitions: Support for downsizing, organizing, and life transitions
• Book: This Explains So Much by Jami Shapiro

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