Dr. Jolene Brighten explains why ADHD in women is so often
missed, misdiagnosed, or dismissed as personality. She covers the
five hormonal life stages that make ADHD symptoms worse, why
perimenopause "unmasks" ADHD rather than causing it, and the food
and exercise protocols that actually support an ADHD brain.
Get Dr. Brighten’s Book, ADHD & Women:
https://drbrighten.com/adhd-and-women/
TOPICS COVERED
ADHD in women: symptoms, diagnosis, and why it's missed for
decades
Why ADHD looks different in women versus men
Perimenopause and ADHD: why symptoms get worse in midlife
The five hormonal stages that worsen ADHD (puberty,
pregnancy/postpartum, perimenopause, postmenopause, premenstrual
phase)
Executive dysfunction explained: time blindness, task
paralysis, and emotional dysregulation
ADHD masking in women: people-pleasing, perfectionism, and
burnout
Estrogen, progesterone, and the ADHD brain: how hormones
affect dopamine and focus
PMDD and ADHD: the connection between your cycle and your
symptoms
Progesterone sensitivity and hormone replacement therapy for
ADHD women
PCOS, PMOS, and the androgen-ADHD connection
ADHD and genetics: is ADHD hereditary
Nutrition for ADHD: gut health, protein, and the three foods
Dr. Brighten recommends weekly
Exercise and the ADHD brain: lactate, BDNF, and why movement
improves focus
Best workouts for ADHD: strength training, sprints, and
mobility work
Creatine, saffron, bacopa, and other supplements for ADHD
Sleep and ADHD: delayed sleep phase syndrome and the default
mode network
Late-diagnosed ADHD in women: why so many women are diagnosed
in their late 30s and 40s
RESOURCES MENTIONED
Number of ADHD Patients Rising, Especially Among Women -
https://www.epicresearch.org/articles/number-of-adhd-patients-rising-especially-among-women/
ADHD link to severe premenstrual disorder uncovered in women
-
https://www.qmul.ac.uk/news/latest-news/2025/science-and-engineering/se/adhd-link-to-severe-premenstrual-disorder-uncovered-in-women.html
Genetics of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder -
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6477889/
Crocus sativus L. Versus Methylphenidate in Treatment of
Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A
Randomized, Double-Blind Pilot Study -
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30741567/
Moderate Exercise Tied to Improved ADHD Symptoms in Young Men
-
https://www.patientcareonline.com/view/moderate-exercise-tied-improved-adhd-symptoms-young-men
Adult attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and clinical
correlates of delayed sleep phase disorder -
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165178119324564
Methylphenidate and Its Impact on Redox Balance and Behavior
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12565610/
Creatine Promotes Endometriosis by Inducing Ferroptosis
Resistance via Suppression of PrP -
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11481182/
Website: https://drbrighten.com
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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrJoleneBrighten
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BIO
Dr. Jolene Brighten is an internationally recognized expert in
hormones, women’s health, and ADHD across the female lifespan. A
board-certified naturopathic endocrinologist, nutrition
scientist, certified menopause specialist, and sex counsellor,
she is widely known for translating complex hormonal science into
clear, clinically relevant care for patients and the doctors who
treat them. She is the bestselling author of Beyond the Pill and
Is This Normal, and is the host of The Dr. Brighten Show, a
top-rated women’s health podcast. More at drbrighten.com
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****************************
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