ADHD and Hormones
Hormones impact ADHD. For years, research didn't really look into the interplay between hormones and ADHD, but that's (thankfully) been changing. And we have finally started to understand how they interact. So if you (or a loved one) feel as if ADHD symptoms get worse (or better) on a cycle... or suddenly feel inconsistent due to perimenopause... or dramatically change post-menopause... then let me explain, at least in part, what might be happening.
Keep up to date about the release of Dr. Brighten's book on ADHD & Women: https://drbrighten.com/adhd-and-women/
A wonderful webinar about ADHD & Perimenopause: https://www.additudemag.com/webinar/adhd-and-perimenopause/?srsltid=AfmBOoo6IPWHlpzunOFlL8ax4iwYi-HyEecqUBckgSPf_JbYlsJenFWD
📝 CITATIONS
Find a full list of sources here: https://bit.ly/HTADHD_ADHDandHormones_Citations
Comments (3)
I had Prostate cancer a few years ago and as part of the treatment I had what they call Hormone Therapy (Which involves monthly injections to reduce my Testosterone). During this treatment and for a couple of years after, my ADHD symptoms were much worse and I found it overwhelming to continue masking (as I had done all my life.
Thank you for this. I suspect anyone on HRT may be affected by hormone cycles, not just those of us who menstruate. So I have some reading to do. PS Trans inclusion helps with task focus, because it doesn't distract me from the material. Thank you.
Hi! I wanted to say a similar thing -- starting testosterone has had interesting impacts on my brain and executive functioning -- but/and yes, monthly cycling of hormones is a real thing for people who start estrogenizing therapy, in addition to the ways we might feel different right before or after our shot/implant/any non-daily method of hormonal management (whether for gender related reasons, or for contraception, or any other kind of hormones -- everyone has hormones and there are lots of reasons to take more or suppress the ones your body makes). There's also big fights right now about trans, nonbinary, and questioning youth and their rights to suppress puberty (aka take pubertal suppression hormones temporarily or as a bridge to starting the right hormones for the kid in question), and having pubertal suppression as part of the conversation might be juicy too. I wonder if that could be an interview opportunity? (Can you tell I'm a retired clinician and would love to nerd about about this?? I'm NOT the person to interview on the topic but I'd love to see it!)