EFR 967: ADHD in Women: The Hormone, Diet, Dopamine and Medication Connection No One Is Talking About with Jolene Brighten

ADHD in women is far more complex than being distracted, forgetful, or unable to sit still. In this episode, Dr. Jolene Brighten, ND, author of ADHD and Women, breaks down how ADHD actually presents in women, why so many women are first diagnosed with anxiety or depression, and how estrogen, progesterone, dopamine, the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, postpartum, and perimenopause can influence symptoms. We explore executive dysfunction, time blindness, rejection sensitivity, procrastination, medication, hormone therapy, exercise, sleep, nutrition, caffeine, meditation, and practical strategies for working with an ADHD brain instead of constantly fighting against it. Ultimately, Dr. Brighten reframes ADHD not as personal failure, but as a different operating system that requires different tools to thrive.

Follow Jolene @drjolenebrighten

Follow Chase @chase_chewning

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00:00 What science gets wrong about women and ADHD

02:32 Why studying the female brain is so complicated

04:18 Hormones and ADHD medication effectiveness

06:45 Can we recover decades of missing female health data?

08:01 Estrogen, dopamine and the menstrual cycle

09:32 Personality flaw or ADHD symptom?

11:50 Why women are diagnosed with anxiety and depression first

13:56 Why female ADHD doesn't always look hyperactive