32. ADHD and Perimenopause: The Perfect Storm

About this episode

This episode discusses the intersection of ADHD and perimenopause, highlighting the unique challenges faced by women during this phase of life.

For many women, perimenopause brings more than just hot flushes. The impact on their cognition and mood is so extreme it feels like the chair has been pulled out from under them.  Strategies that once held everything together stop working. Anxiety spikes, brain fog sets in, and confidence takes a hit. In this episode, Dr Rachael Sumner discusses why hormonal changes can hit ADHD brains harder  - not just in perimenopause, but throughout their lives.  And we look at why so many women are only discovering their ADHD in mid-life.  Research is still catching up, but this episode helps shed some light on a hidden struggle affecting thousands of women, and offers validation, understanding, and a way forward. In this episode: Why ADHD symptoms often worsen during perimenopause The role of estrogen in supporting dopamine and serotonin The link between ADHD and PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder)Why neurodivergent women may be more sensitive to hormonal shifts across the lifespan. Why so many women are diagnosed with ADHD in their 40s and 50s The collapse of coping strategies and ‘unmasking’  Separating ADHD symptoms from hormonal changes The mental…

People in this episode

Guests: Dr Rachael Sumner, Dr Jacqui Johnson, Fiona Winfield

Topics covered

• ADHD
• perimenopause
• women's health
• mental health
• hormonal changes
• anxiety
• neurodiversity

Keywords

• ADHD
• perimenopause
• hormonal changes
• anxiety
• brain fog
• women's health
• mental health
• neurodivergent
• PMDD
• coping strategies

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: University of Auckland, ADHD Coach Partnering with ADHD

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