ADHD and Perimenopause; What Happened With My Midlife ADHD Diagnosis

Author: Danielle Colley
Published: Wed 03 Sep 2025
Episode Link: None

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Three years ago I thought I was losing my mind—snappy with my family, flat in my business, and waking up with zero desire to face the day. What I didn’t know then was that perimenopause had turned up the volume on something I’d been living with all along: ADHD.

In this episode of Big Stuff, I share the real story of how I finally got diagnosed at 47, why so many women slip through the cracks, and how hormones can unmask ADHD in midlife. I’ll talk about the grief and relief of diagnosis, what treatment and support look like for me (from HRT to Post-it notes), and why ADHD is not a flaw—it’s a different operating system.

You’ll learn:

· How ADHD can present differently in women (and why it’s often missed)

· The link between estrogen, dopamine, and ADHD symptoms in perimenopause

· What the assessment and diagnosis process actually looked like for me

· The difference medication and HRT made (and what didn’t change)

· Simple, everyday supports that help a high-octane brain thrive

If you’ve ever wondered “Is this ADHD? Is it peri? Is it both?”—this episode is for you.

00:00 Introduction and Personal Story

01:04 The ADHD Diagnosis Journey

01:50 Perimenopause and ADHD

03:43 Struggles and Realizations

06:36 Seeking Professional Help