Navigating Menopause and ADHD: Supporting Every Role You Play
For women with ADHD, the journey through menopause is uniquely challenging. The usual demands of life—as a partner, mother, friend, and professional—become magnified when hormonal changes combine with ADHD characteristics. The effects can ripple through all areas of life, not just your career, making it essential to understand the underlying reasons and explore comprehensive support.
Why Menopause Impacts ADHD Differently
ADHD already involves challenges with focus, disorganisation, and emotional stability, primarily influenced by dopamine levels. During menopause, fluctuating hormones such as oestrogen and progesterone further impact dopamine production, which is a key hormone on memory, focus and mood. Research(1) (2017) shows that ADHD symptoms increase as Oestrogen decreases, leading to increased forgetfulness, mood swings, irritability, and difficulty concentrating. The intersection of these hormonal changes with ADHD can feel like an overwhelming storm, affecting not just your professional life but your ability to be present as a mother, partner, and friend.
The Multifaceted Toll
Perhaps you’re waking up exhausted before the say even begins, dreading simple interactions, or finding that once enjoyable activities now bring on anxiety. Tasks like organising your children’s timetables, being emotionally available for your partner, or going to social gatherings with friends may feel too stressful. The emotional toll can leave you questioning your sense of identity across all parts of your life.
When symptoms like brain fog, night sweats, and anxiety strike, they don’t just affect work meetings; they make it harder to plan family activities, respond patiently during conversations, or remember key moments with loved ones. These challenges can amplify fears of inadequacy, not only in your job but in your role as a parent, partner, or friend. The concern about being perceived as disorganized, lazy, or unreliable can be deeply distressing.
A Holistic Solution: Integrative Support That Empowers Every Aspect of Life
Supporting yourself through this phase means acknowledging that menopause, compounded by ADHD, impacts your whole life. Addressing these issues requires a comprehensive, integrative approach, along with seeing your GP to adjust your ADHD medications, and whether you decide that hormone replacement therapy is for you, we offer an holistic approach to aid in the management of your symptoms:
Hypnotherapy taps into your subconscious to build positive habits and resilience, helping to manage stress and regain mental clarity. Helps reduce hot flushes, anxiety and stress.
Mindfulness practices enhance awareness and emotional regulation, empowering you to respond thoughtfully in situations that might otherwise trigger frustration or irritability. Helps deal with mood, cognitive function and anxiety and stress.
NLP techniques shift limiting beliefs and bolster self-confidence, essential for countering feelings of inadequacy.
Nutrition targeted for hormonal health can help stabilize energy levels and support neurotransmitter production, aiding both physical and cognitive health.
Lifestyle changes to support adequate sleep, self care and other lifestyle changes, helping you manage personal and family responsibilities while maintaining your well-being.
Understanding Your Worth Beyond the Struggle
At the heart of these challenges lies the fear of not meeting expectations—whether at work, as a mother, or within your personal relationships. This phase can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be defined by struggle alone. With tailored support, you can reconnect with a sense of balance and fulfilment.
Imagine days where you wake up with more energy, approach parenting with patience, and engage with your partner and friends without the shadow of overwhelm. These aren’t distant dreams but achievable realities with the right combination of techniques that honour both your ADHD and the complexities of menopause.
Your Path Forward
If you’re ready to move beyond coping and into thriving, consider an integrative approach that supports you holistically. By addressing both physical symptoms and mental shifts, you can reclaim joy, energy, and confidence in every role you play.
This journey isn’t just about surviving menopause; it’s about stepping into this phase empowered and equipped to lead a vibrant, balanced life filled with connection and purpose.
Cat x
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