85: Dr. Jolene Brighten: ADHD and Perimenopause: Why Focus, Memory, and Motivation Change in Midlife

You can spend years holding everything together with anxiety, urgency, perfectionism, or sheer willpower, then hit perimenopause and suddenly feel like your brain stopped cooperating. Trouble focusing, emotional overwhelm, forgetfulness, procrastination, and feeling like you have completely lost your ability to multitask can all overlap with ADHD, which is exactly why so many women start asking questions in midlife. In this episode of Hello Hormones, Dr. Jolene Brighten and I break down the connection between ADHD and perimenopause, including how shifting estrogen can affect dopamine, memory, motivation, and cognitive flexibility. We also talk about testosterone, blood sugar, sleep, exercise, thyroid and iron testing, and why symptoms that look like ADHD still deserve a full evaluation. Dr. Jolene Brighten is a women's health expert, author, and clinician who specializes in helping women better understand the connection between their hormones and their brains. If you have ever wondered why the strategies that used to keep you organized, productive, and on top of everything suddenly are not working the same way, this episode will help you understand what may be changing and what is worth looking at next. What's Discussed:  (1:56) Why getting good grades does not rule out ADHD in women. (3:13) Why ADHD may suddenly feel harder to manage during perimenopause. (6:38) How masking can make ADHD look very different in women and girls. (10:50) Why perimenopause and ADHD symptoms can be so difficult to tell apart. (13:15) Why late-night scrolling and shopping may be your brain trying to reclaim dopamine and personal time. (16:14) How changing estrogen can affect focus, memory, motivation, and cognitive flexibility. (23:53) Why low testosterone can feel like losing your motivation or "spark." (29:35) How blood sugar swings can make ADHD and perimenopause symptoms feel worse. (44:00) What to rule out before assuming brain fog and forgetfulness are ADHD. (46:58) Why 20 minutes of exercise may support focus and attention for hours afterward. ✍️ FREE GUIDES: Top 7 Perimenopause Myths You Need to Stop Believing ASAP: drcarriejones.com/myths Hormones 101 Cheat Sheet: drcarriejones.com/hormones101    The Perimenopause & Menopause Labs Test Checklist: drcarriejones.com/labs The 101 on Stress, Cortisol And Your Nervous System Ebook: drcarriejones.com/stressfreebie   Which Stage of Perimenopause Am I In? Ebook: drcarriejones.com/stages   Find more from Dr. Carrie Jones:  Website:  drcarriejones.com Newsletter:  drcarriejones.kit.com/newsletter Instagram: @dr.carriejones Facebook:  @drcarriejones TikTok:  @drcarriejones YouTube:  @drcarriejones Pinterest:  @drcarriejones   Find more from Dr. Jolene Brighten:  Website: drbrighten.com Instagram: @drjolenebrighten Facebook: @drbrighten TikTok: @drjolenebrighten YouTube: @DrJoleneBrighten Book: ADHD and Women   Disclaimer: Information provided on this channel is for informational purposes only. This information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional, or any information contained on or in any product. Do not use the information provided on this channel for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing medication or other treatment. Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before taking any medication or nutritional, herbal or other supplement, or using any treatment for a health problem. Information provided on this channel and the use of any products or services related to this podcast by you does not create a doctor-patient relationship between you and Dr. Carrie Jones. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent ANY disease.