For many women, perimenopause brings more than just hot flushes. The impact on their cognition and mood is so extreme it feels like the chair has been pulled out from under them.  Strategies that once held everything together stop working. Anxiety spikes, brain fog sets in, and confidence takes a hit.

In this episode, Dr Rachael Sumner discusses why hormonal changes can hit ADHD brains harder  - not just in perimenopause, but throughout their lives.  And we look at why so many women are only discovering their ADHD in mid-life. 

Research is still catching up, but this episode helps shed some light on a hidden struggle affecting thousands of women, and offers validation, understanding, and a way forward.

In this episode:
Why ADHD symptoms often worsen during perimenopause
The role of estrogen in supporting dopamine and serotonin
The link between ADHD and PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder)Why neurodivergent women may be more sensitive to hormonal shifts across the lifespan.
Why so many women are diagnosed with ADHD in their 40s and 50s
The collapse of coping strategies and ‘unmasking’ 
Separating ADHD symptoms from hormonal changes
The mental health impact: including anxiety, burnout and emotional dysregulation
Why research into women’s health is still lagging behind
The power of connection, validation and being understood

Guests
Dr Rachael Sumner, Senior Research Fellow, University of Auckland
Dr Jacqui Johnson, ADHD Coach Partnering with ADHD
Fiona Winfield, ADHD Coach Fiona Winfield
And a special thanks to the women from the workshop - When ADHD meets Menopause.  For more information on upcoming workshops go to A Hot Mess 

No Such Thing as Normal is made with the support of NZ On Air

For many women, perimenopause brings more than just hot flushes. The impact on their cognition and mood is so extreme it feels like the chair has been pulled out from under them.&nbsp; Strategies that once held everything together stop working. Anxiety spikes, brain fog sets in, and confidence takes a hit.
In this episode, Dr Rachael Sumner discusses why hormonal changes can hit ADHD brains harder&nbsp; - not just in perimenopause, but throughout their lives.&nbsp; And we look at why so many women are only discovering their ADHD in mid-life.&nbsp;
Research is still catching up, but this episode helps shed some light on a hidden struggle affecting thousands of women, and offers validation, understanding, and a way forward.
In this episode:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Why ADHD symptoms often worsen during perimenopause</li>
<li aria-level="1">The role of estrogen in supporting dopamine and serotonin</li>
<li aria-level="1">The link between ADHD and PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder)Why neurodivergent women may be more sensitive to hormonal shifts across the lifespan.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why so many women are diagnosed with ADHD in their 40s and 50s</li>
<li aria-level="1">The collapse of coping strategies and &lsquo;unmasking&rsquo;&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">Separating ADHD symptoms from hormonal changes</li>
<li aria-level="1">The mental health impact: including anxiety, burnout and emotional dysregulation</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why research into women&rsquo;s health is still lagging behind</li>
<li aria-level="1">The power of connection, validation and being understood</li>
</ul>
Guests
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Dr Rachael Sumner, Senior Research Fellow, <a href="https://profiles.auckland.ac.nz/r-sumner">University of Auckland</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Dr Jacqui Johnson, ADHD Coach <a href="https://partneringwithadhd.com/">Partnering with ADHD</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Fiona Winfield, ADHD Coach <a href="https://www.fionawinfield.com/">Fiona Winfield</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">And a special thanks to the women from the workshop - When ADHD meets Menopause.&nbsp; For more information on upcoming workshops go to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/people/A-Hot-Mess/61588198351275/">A Hot Mess</a>&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
No Such Thing as Normal is made with the support of NZ On Air

At least 20% of New Zealanders are believed to be neurodivergent, but there is very little awareness, understanding and support for people with conditions such as ADHD, Autism and Dyslexia.

Sonia Gray has a neurodivergent daughter and is an ADHDer herself. In this 10-part series she’ll talk to dozens of experts and people with a lived-experience of neurodiversity to better understand how we can support and celebrate those whose brains are wired differently.

No Such Thing as Normal is brought to you by NZ Herald and Team Uniform, with support from NZ on Air. New episodes are available every Saturday.

At least 20% of New Zealanders are believed to be neurodivergent, but there is very little awareness, understanding and support for people with conditions such as ADHD, Autism and Dyslexia.
Sonia Gray has a neurodivergent daughter and is an ADHDer herself. In this 10-part series she&rsquo;ll talk to dozens of experts and people with a lived-experience of neurodiversity to better understand how we can support and celebrate those whose brains are wired differently.
No Such Thing as Normal is brought to you by NZ Herald and Team Uniform, with support from NZ on Air. New episodes are available every Saturday.

No Such Thing as Normal

At least 20% of New Zealanders are believed to be neurodivergent, but there is very little awareness, understanding and support for people with conditions such as ADHD, Autism and Dyslexia.

Sonia Gray has a neurodivergent daughter and is an ADHDer herself. In this 10-part series she’ll talk to dozens of experts and people with a lived-experience of neurodiversity to better understand how we can support and celebrate those whose brains are wired differently.

No Such Thing as Normal is brought to you by NZ Herald and Team Uniform, with support from NZ on Air. New episodes every Saturday.

At least 20% of New Zealanders are believed to be neurodivergent, but there is very little awareness, understanding and support for people with conditions such as ADHD, Autism and Dyslexia.
Sonia Gray has a neurodivergent daughter and is an ADHDer herself. In this 10-part series she&rsquo;ll talk to dozens of experts and people with a lived-experience of neurodiversity to better understand how we can support and celebrate those whose brains are wired differently.
No Such Thing as Normal is brought to you by NZ Herald and Team Uniform, with support from NZ on Air. New episodes every Saturday.