Perimenopause Doesn't Cause ADHD, It Unmasks It: Reclaim Your Brain with Dr. Jolene Brighten

Were you ever told you were "so smart, but" on a report card? So smart, but too chatty. So smart, but not living up to your potential. Dr. Jolene Brighten, naturopathic endocrinologist and author of the forthcoming ADHD and Women, unpacks why ADHD in women looks nothing like the stereotype, and why so many women aren't diagnosed until their late 30s or 40s, often only after their own child gets diagnosed first.If you've ever felt like the strategies that used to work for you have quietly stopped working, this episode might give you language for something you've been carrying alone for a long time.🎤 TOPICS COVEREDADHD in women: symptoms, diagnosis, and why it's missed for decadesWhy ADHD looks different in women versus menPerimenopause and ADHD: why symptoms get worse in midlifeThe five hormonal stages that worsen ADHD (puberty, pregnancy/postpartum, perimenopause, postmenopause, premenstrual phase)Executive dysfunction explained: time blindness, task paralysis, and emotional dysregulationADHD masking in women: people-pleasing, perfectionism, and burnoutEstrogen, progesterone, and the ADHD brain: how hormones affect dopamine and focusPMDD and ADHD: the connection between your cycle and your symptomsProgesterone sensitivity and hormone replacement therapy for ADHD womenPCOS, PMOS, and the androgen-ADHD connectionADHD and genetics: is ADHD hereditaryNutrition for ADHD: gut health, protein, and the three foods Dr. Brighten recommends weeklyExercise and the ADHD brain: lactate, BDNF, and why movement improves focusBest workouts for ADHD: strength training, sprints, and mobility workCreatine, saffron, bacopa, and other supplements for ADHDSleep and ADHD: delayed sleep phase syndrome and the default mode networkLate-diagnosed ADHD in women: why so many women are diagnosed in their late 30s and 40s📎 RESOURCES MENTIONED can be found at https://drstephanieestima.com/podcasts/ep489📦 OUR SPONSORSPIQUE LIFE - Experience Transformative Results. Start your daily ritual today and elevate your morning and evening routine at https://piquelife.com/betterTIMELINE  - Timeline’s clinically proven formula is now available at a great price when you go to https://timelinenutrition.com/better with code BETTER.BERKELEY LIFE - Restore your nitric oxide and get your pre-menopausal self back. Go to https://berkeleylife.com and use code BETTER20 to save.JUST THRIVE HEALTH - Just Thrive's spore-based probiotics are the ones I trust. Take the Feel Better Challenge and save on your first order at https://justthrivehealth.com/better with code BETTER. ****************************P.S. When you're ready, here are two ways Dr. Stephanie can help you:Subscribe: The Mini Pause — My weekly newsletter packed with the most actionable, evidence-based tools for women 40+ to thrive in midlife.Build Muscle: LIFT — My progressive strength training program designed for women in midlife. Form-focused, joint-friendly, and built for real results. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.