Women, ADHD and hormones

Do you find yourself easily distracted, with your attention rapidly shifting between different things? If so, you could be one of the legion of women who are under-diagnosed for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Here, Australia-based psychiatrist and ADHD expert Dr David Chapman joins Dr Louise to discuss what ADHD is, how it affects women and the impact that female hormones - which have a powerful role in the brain - can have on symptoms.
He talks about how ADHD symptoms can worsen for women just before their periods and around their perimenopause, and sets out the common treatment options, including the role of HRT and the Pill, and how lifestyle changes such as mindfulness can help women affected by ADHD.
Dr Louise and Dr David also discuss how symptoms may only need treating if they are having an impact on a woman’s life.

[@vibrantly50]

Thanks so much! I was diagnosed with ADHD at 67…and struggling with menopause cognitive and mood symptoms. Just started testosterone two months ago and hoping it will help. Already the anxiety I’ve struggled with for years is almost gone!

[@anniebauer2563]

ADHD & Hormones w Sandra Kooji--, will you PLEASE do a Podcast w her too. ADHD women already know what ADHD is, so if you could skip that part and go straight to how it affects PMDD and cripples one in Perimenopause. We can factually explain to our colleagues, boss or in certain cases reduce ourselves to disability. This is life threatening, I'm my only source of income. No husband, kids--I've just gotten more isolated and alone and I'm not the only one. We women want to work!!!!! UK & Europe are leading this information! Any UP River tips for women behind me--so that they don't lose everything they worked their whole lives for!

[@PeppermintPatties]

Thank you. I'm autistic, perimenopausal and suspect I also have ADHD, partly because I've had lifelong mental health issues, and I lost my career and relationship over all of it. I'm desperate to get back to work but it's taking forever. There's no support for people like me, who are skilled but whose minds jump around and have social communication problems. I can't focus for long enough to get things done without help. I'm hoping that seeking HRT will help, because I'm absolutely wasted as a registered disabled person. I'm not sick. I'm autistic. Do you have a podcast about autism and hormones? If not, it would be a really useful resource. I'm terrified of growing old on the spectrum if I can't return to work or get HRT, and there must be many people like me out there. ❤️

[@sheriu7167]

I’m deeply saddened by the lack of knowledge amongst all-health-specialists from GP’s to Psychiatrists here in Australia. After years of misdiagnosis…I did my own research re- HRT and ADHD and even then getting a formal diagnosis or medication has been nothing but a nightmare- ranging from not being able to get an appointment to see a psychiatrist for a diagnosis and GP’s being ignorant or too frightened to trail or subscribe ADHD or HRT medication. It’s absolutely horrifying and frightening. No one is listening. It’s so easy for me to get antidepressants but absolute hell to get a diagnosis or ADHD medication. Drs and psychiatrists throw antidepressants at women. I want to complain to someone but who? Who do we complain to when the system fails us. The system is terribly, terribly broken, I’m not surprised as to why depression and suicide are on the rise. We need to stop throwing antidepressants at every problem… it’s criminal!

[@darlingcorinne]

I had never heard that connection between the startle response and ADHD but that rings so true to me.

[@briana9918]

ADHD an advantage? Dear goodness! It disables me significantly in all aspects of my daily life, including professionally and relationships. It's not only self-regulation but also in being able to execute wished and necessary action including planning and organising

[@anne-louisegoldie]

I'd really like to hear more about lifelong untreated ADHD in women and HRT doses in post menopause. I strongly feel that there's a need to offer different doses than we're currently allowed from the GP. (Very personally speaking. ) Thank you 😊xx

[@AnnBrowning-lt9jw]

Recently diagnosed at 60

[@HumanandAnimalSupporter]

Discovering the diverse world of ADHD therapies has been truly enlightening, from psychotherapy to behavior therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. 🧠💪

[@littlebird3495]

I am so glad I found your channel-by far the most informative on peri/menopause and related issues. I’m 45, diagnosed with adhd at 40 and I suspected I was dealing with pmdd; as I’ve aged, the emotional symptoms seem to have improved somewhat before my periods but my memory and other adhd symptoms are so much worse. Trying out hrt with mixed results but with the help of channels like this one, I believe I am nearer to finding relief. Thank so much 🙏

[@elizabethellis2965]

Amazingly helpful

[@neanea1173]

Does hrt cause melasma?