ADHD and Menopause: surviving the hormonal apocalypse

ADHD Coach Katherine Sanders AACC cover the topic of ADHD and menopause this week, looking at both the why hormones affect both ADHD and menopause at the same time, how they change the way our brains work and what we can do to improve them with simple strategies that are accessible to most.

This episode does include the discussion of hormones but it is still suitable for a family/PG audience.

Understanding ADHD and Menopause

This podcast episode explores the intersection of ADHD and menopause and provides insights and strategies for navigating this challenging time. The host, shares her personal experience as an ADHD coach and provides valuable information on how hormones affect ADHD symptoms, sleep, emotional dysregulation, memory, and concentration. She also offers practical tips for managing symptoms, including exercise, mindfulness, sleep hygiene, journaling, and seeking professional support. The episode emphasizes the importance of self-compassion and understanding during this transitional phase in women's lives.

There is a free 14 day journalling PDF with prompts available from the website below.

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Your free 14 day journal: https://www.subscribepage.com/w9b2a1

Pennebaker Journalling protocol https://www.va.gov/WHOLEHEALTHLIBRARY/docs/Therapeutic-Journaling.pdf

Melissa Orlov - ADHD & Marriage: https://www.adhdmarriage.com/

ADDA Women over 50 group: https://add.org/virtual-peer-support-group-women-50/

PMDD and ADHD/autism - This is a SERIOUS risk to health that is not really known widely enough yet. https://www.additudemag.com/pmdd-autism-adhd/#:~:text=PMDD%20disproportionately%20affects%20people%20with%20ADHD%20and%20autism%2C%20with%20up,though%20there%20are%20various%20theories.

1. . Pines, "Midlife ADHD in women: any relevance to menopause?", Climacteric, Link
2. E. Antoniou, N. Rigas, Eirini Orovou, Alexandros Papatrechas, Angeliki Sarella, "ADHD Symptoms in Females of Childhood, Adolescent, Reproductive and Menopause Period", Medical Science Monitor, Link
3. Pamela S Smith, "Menopause, Amino Acids, Nutritional and Neurotransmitter Influences on ADD/ADHD", Book Chapter
4. C. Epperson, S. Shanmugan, Deborah R. Kim, Sarah B. Mathews, K. Czarkowski, J. Bradley, D. Appleby, Cláudia Iannelli, M. Sammel, T. Brown, "New onset executive function difficulties at menopause: a possible role for lisdexamfetamine", Psychopharmacology, Link
5. Bettina Camara, C. Padoin, Blanca Bolea, "Relationship between sex hormones, reproductive stages and ADHD: a systematic review", Archives of Women's Mental Health, Link
6. Roger A. Lobo, "The 2022 hormone therapy position statement of The North American Menopause Society", Menopause, Link
7. [Author not listed], "The 2020 genitourinary syndrome of menopause position statement of The North American Menopause Society", Menopause, Link