EP22 – ADHD, Hormones, and the Midlife Brain

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About the episode

In this episode of The MenoPosse Show, Carrie, Krissy, and Dannielle sit down with therapist Brittany Milstead to talk about the many ways our brains change through midlife, and how ADHD, hormones, perimenopause, and menopause can all collide in one wild ride.

Brittany, who both lives with ADHD and treats it professionally, helps unpack what happens when fluctuating hormones start affecting brain chemistry. We talk about how perimenopause and menopause can influence executive function, working memory, and emotional regulation, all of which can make life feel a little less predictable than it used to.

We revisit a theme from early in the show: how many women don’t discover they have ADHD until midlife, often after their kids get diagnosed. Brittany shares her perspective on how ADHD shows up differently as we age, explaining that what once looked like hyperactivity in a child’s body can evolve into a constant hum of mental activity or restlessness in adulthood.

From there, the conversation turns to how we can work with our brains instead of against them. We talk about finding a flow state, that feeling when you are completely absorbed in something you love, and how important play, creativity, and hobbies are for keeping our brains engaged and our spirits lifted. Brittany also shares research showing that adults who take part in group learning experiences, such as classes or creative workshops, see measurable improvements in health, well-being, and longevity, even when the activities aren’t physical.

And because it wouldn’t be The MenoPosse Show without some real-life details, we also get into hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and our experiences with estrogen patches. We swap stories about different brands, how well they stick, and why changing patches every three and a half days can make a difference. There’s even a quick PSA: don’t put estrogen on a Q-tip to soothe itchy ears — try Flonase instead. And just to be clear, we’re not medical professionals, just women figuring it out as we go.

It is a grounded, science-meets-real-life episode full of laughter, insight, and validation for anyone trying to make sense of their changing midlife mind.