Perimenopause revealing ADHD?
The transition of perimenopause has a way of revealing what has previously been buried.
This could present in the form of varying physical health issues, unresolved traumas, chronic depletion and burn out along with neurodivergence which has previously been masked.
Many women who have been living with undiagnosed ADHD or Autism all of their lives are finally receiving a diagnosis during perimenopause/menopause.
Why is this?
In the case of ADHD, one aspect is that the understanding of how ADHD presents in females has increased. There are whole generations of women who went under the radar due to masking their challenges. As these women reach perimenopause in their late 30s or 40s, hormonal shifts begin to amplify the challenges of ADHD due to the impact of lower oestrogen on dopamine. This makes it a lot harder to mask symptoms and coping strategies that may have helped to make things manageable become less effective.
The hormonal shifts throughout perimenopause can also increase brain fog and memory issues which may not be related to ADHD but for a number of women navigating this stage of life, they reveal something that has been there all along.
Discovering neurodivergence, whether in the form of ADHD or Autism or both (as they can often co-occur) can bring a range of mixed feelings. For some women it's relief and validation and self understanding, for others there can be grief and anger that it's been missed for all of their lives. There can also be trauma and burnout from years of masking symptoms and challenges which can finally start to be acknowledged and worked through. Anxiety, depression and burn out are common co-occurrences for neurodivergent people and these will often be amplified during the perimenopause transition.
If perimenopause has revealed previously undiagnosed ADHD (whether formally diagnosed or suspected/self diagnosed) for you, there are many natural and holistic options to support you (either alongside prescribed medications or place of ) with the challenges of ADHD that tend to be amplified during times of hormone transition such as perimenopause, including to supporting brain function, focus, sleep and nervous regulation, anxiety, depression and burnout.
Keen to chat about this? Appointments can be booked here:
Initial consultation: https://blossomwellbeing.as.me/initial-consultation
Follow up consultation (for current/returning clients): https://blossomwellbeing.as.me/naturopathic-review-appointment-online
Have a great week,
Annabel
