Podcast Summary
Mistaken Podcast Name and Unexpected Guest: Despite inconsistencies, the ADHD Adults Podcast continues to provide valuable insights and support for those living with ADHD, featuring a recent episode on the experiences of individuals with ADHD in higher education and the impact of menopause on symptoms.
The ADHD Adults Podcast hosts, James and Alex, had an unexpected lapse in consistency when they failed to update the podcast name after a rebrand six weeks ago. Despite this mistake, they continued recording and welcomed their small but dedicated audience. During the episode, they discussed a listener's request for an episode about the experiences of individuals with ADHD in higher education, specifically PhD studies. They also brought in a guest, Sam, to talk about the impact of menopause and perimenopause on ADHD symptoms. Throughout the conversation, James expressed his frustration with Alex, but appreciated having Sam present to provide a sense of comfort. The podcast continues to explore various aspects of living with ADHD, offering insights and support for those affected.
Hormonal fluctuations during menopause worsen ADHD symptoms for women: During menopause, women with ADHD may experience worsening symptoms due to hormonal changes affecting dopamine levels.
During the perimenopause and menopause transition, women with ADHD may experience worsening symptoms due to hormonal fluctuations. Estrogen, a female sex hormone, plays a role in regulating neurotransmitters like dopamine, which is crucial for individuals with ADHD. When estrogen levels decline, dopamine levels may also decrease, leading to more severe ADHD symptoms, such as difficulty focusing and concentrating. This period can last for several years, and it's essential for partners and caregivers to be supportive and understanding during this time. Additionally, it's important to remember that men also experience hormonal changes, known as andropause, although the symptoms and timeline are different. The podcast discussed these topics, including personal reflections and tips, while also sharing experiences from their Instagram followers.
Menopause and ADHD: A Complex Connection: Menopause can worsen ADHD symptoms, but non-stimulant medication like Atomoxetine may help improve memory, attention, and concentration. Women should consult their healthcare providers for potential solutions.
Menopause can bring on or worsen ADHD symptoms in women, making daily tasks challenging and leading to emotional dysregulation. Atomoxetine, a non-stimulant medication used for ADHD, has shown promise in improving memory, attention, and concentration in menopausal women. This may be due to the hormonal changes during menopause, particularly the drop in dopamine levels. Women, especially those with undiagnosed ADHD, may find their symptoms unmanageable during this stage of life. It's important for women experiencing these issues to speak with their healthcare providers about potential solutions, including medication and hormone replacement therapy.
Impact of Perimenopause and Menopause on ADHD: Perimenopause and menopause can worsen ADHD symptoms, leading to brain fog, difficulty concentrating, and frustration. Women may face being overlooked during this stage, making it crucial to seek professional help and remember they're not alone.
Perimenopause and menopause can significantly impact individuals with ADHD, leading to various symptoms such as brain fog, difficulty concentrating, and frustration. These challenges can worsen existing ADHD symptoms and even lead to career setbacks and relationship issues. Women often face being overlooked during this stage due to the hormonal changes, which can make it difficult to receive proper diagnoses and support. It's essential for those experiencing these issues to remember they're not alone and seek professional help, as hormonal changes can exacerbate ADHD symptoms. By understanding the connection between perimenopause, menopause, and ADHD, partners and loved ones can be more empathetic and supportive during this challenging time.
Navigating the Complex Symptoms of Perimenopause: Perimenopause can bring a range of disruptive symptoms including anxiety, depression, mood swings, forgetfulness, insomnia, and physical changes. These symptoms can interconnect and worsen feelings of self-doubt and isolation, making proper diagnosis and treatment essential.
Going through perimenopause can present a complex web of interconnected symptoms that can be overwhelming and disabling. The speaker in this conversation described experiencing anxiety, depression, irritability, extreme anger, loss of motivation, forgetfulness, dry skin, constant nausea, weight loss, insomnia, low libido, and worsened ADHD symptoms. These symptoms, which can vary greatly from person to person, can feed into each other and exacerbate feelings of self-doubt, anxiety, and despair. The speaker felt dismissed by healthcare professionals and struggled to get a proper diagnosis, which added to her sense of isolation and desperation. Overall, the perimenopause experience can be a deeply challenging and disorienting time, with symptoms that can impact various aspects of physical and emotional health.
Managing Symptoms of Perimenopause and ADHD: Dealing with perimenopause and ADHD symptoms can be complex and challenging. Healthcare professionals may focus on treating individual symptoms, but it's important to consider potential overlap between conditions. Non-verbal communication plays a crucial role in effective healthcare interactions.
Managing symptoms of both perimenopause and ADHD can be a complex and challenging process. The speaker shared her personal experience of dealing with emotional dysregulation, impulse control issues, distractibility, forgetfulness, and difficulty concentrating, which are common symptoms of both conditions. She mentioned that it took her two years to get help for her perimenopause symptoms, and she expects a similar timeline for her ADHD diagnosis and treatment. The speaker emphasized that healthcare professionals often focus on treating individual symptoms instead of considering the potential overlap between conditions. She also highlighted that 90% of communication is non-verbal and encouraged listeners to be aware of this when interacting with healthcare providers.
Navigating ADHD and Menopause Intersection: Advocate for yourself, log symptoms, seek specialized help, download resources, and educate loved ones to manage ADHD and Menopause.
Navigating the intersection of ADHD and menopause can be a complex and challenging experience. The speaker, Sam, shares her personal journey of being dismissed by healthcare professionals due to normal blood tests despite experiencing debilitating symptoms. She emphasizes that if you're under 45, healthcare providers may not consider your symptoms, making it essential to advocate for yourself and seek specialized help. Sam's advice for managing both conditions is to keep pushing for support, log symptoms, download helpful resources like the Balance app, and educate loved ones about the menopause and its impact. Remember, you're worth it, and don't give up on your quest for improved well-being.
Navigating Complex Personal Issues in Relationships: Education, empathy, self-awareness, and open communication are essential in dealing with complex personal issues like ADHD and perimenopause to maintain healthy relationships.
Understanding and communicating about complex personal issues like ADHD and perimenopause in relationships is crucial for maintaining healthy connections. The speaker shares her experience of dealing with both conditions and the significant impact they had on her relationship, including increased anger, lack of sex drive, and feeling unsupported. She also admits to using manipulative behaviors to provoke reactions from her partner. This open conversation highlights the importance of education, empathy, and self-awareness in navigating the challenges that come with these conditions. The speaker's honesty also underscores the need for open communication and support from partners during difficult times.
Recognizing and addressing health concerns can lead to significant improvements: Trust instincts, advocate for self, and communicate openly to improve overall wellbeing. Embrace imperfections and learn from experiences.
Recognizing and addressing health concerns, even if they seem embarrassing or unimportant at first, can lead to significant improvements in one's overall wellbeing. The speaker in this discussion shared her experience of initially dismissing her symptoms due to shame and fear, but eventually seeking help from a sex therapist led her to a realization that she was experiencing menopause. She encouraged others to trust their instincts and advocate for themselves with healthcare professionals, even if they face skepticism or dismissal. The conversation also touched upon the importance of open communication and self-compassion in dealing with personal struggles. Additionally, the speaker shared a lighthearted moment about forgetting to take her hormone replacement therapy, highlighting the common challenges people face when managing complex health regimens. The discussion ended with a reminder to embrace our imperfections and learn from our mistakes, as everyone goes through similar experiences and can benefit from sharing and supporting each other.
Bring up menopause in the workplace and amplify women's voices: Encourage open conversations about menopause, educate yourself and others, and use tools like the Balance app to support women during this phase of life.
It's essential for individuals, particularly those in positions of power, to bring up the topic of menopause in the workplace and amplify women's voices to increase awareness and education. Menopause is not often discussed openly, and many people, including men, may be uninformed about the symptoms and challenges women face during this phase of life. A helpful tip is to educate yourself, learn all you can about menopause, and share this knowledge with others. Additionally, consider using tools like the Balance app by Dr. Louise Newsome to help manage symptoms and track progress. By starting conversations and fostering understanding, we can create a more inclusive and supportive environment for those experiencing menopause, especially those with ADHD.
