The podcast explores preventing burnout in women with ADHD, covering topics such as managing responsibilities, valuing personal worth, staying focused, ADHD traits, self-care, hormones, and gratitude.
ADHD burnout in women is common and often not supported enough, requiring proper strategies to balance life.
Recognizing burnout warning signs such as chronic pain and insomnia helps in preventing and managing ADHD burnout.
Understanding hormonal fluctuations and prioritizing self-care during those times are essential in preventing burnout in ADHD women.
Deep dives
The Impact of Burnout in ADHD Women
ADHD burnout in women is a common and prevalent issue that is often not validated or supported enough. Balancing career ambitions and societal expectations with ADHD can be overwhelming without proper strategies. Burnout is a state of physical and emotional exhaustion, which is exacerbated by the mental toll of living with ADHD. Symptoms of ADHD burnout include feeling physically and mentally drained, helpless, detached, cynical, and overwhelmed. Burnout is more prevalent in the neurodivergent community, and about 54% of people with ADHD have experienced burnout. ADHD burnout is linked to cognitive energy depletion, task switching, overworking, and difficulties with processing and prioritizing. ADHD women face additional challenges due to societal expectations, parenting, caring for older parents, and breaking cycles of dysfunction. The ADHD brain impacts physical health as well, leading to chronic inflammation and health problems. ADHD burnout is also influenced by hypersensitivity, stress, perfectionism, people-pleasing, and planning difficulties. Working towards preventing burnout involves setting boundaries, prioritizing self-care, understanding hormonal fluctuations, managing technology use, being intentional with time, seeking help and support, and creating a nurturing and authentic lifestyle.
Recognizing Burnout Warning Signs
Burnout warning signs differ for individuals, but can include physical and emotional symptoms such as chronic pain, jaw clenching, palpitations, migraines, chronic exhaustion, insomnia, anxiety, and depressive moments. These signs indicate that the body is speaking and it is important to listen and give it space for rest and recovery. Recognizing these signs helps in navigating away from burnout. Burnout is also influenced by hormonal fluctuations, especially in ADHD women, and being aware of these cycles can help prioritize self-care during those times. Seeking help and support, advocating for proper healthcare and diagnosis, and recognizing the impact of hormonal changes are crucial in managing and preventing burnout.
Intentional Lifestyle Changes for Burnout Prevention
Preventing burnout requires intentional lifestyle changes and self-compassion. Setting boundaries, being intentional with time, and creating space for self-care are essential. Prioritizing self-trust and letting go of perfectionism help in breaking cycles of overworking and self-doubt. Recognizing the worth that comes from character and contribution, rather than achievement or status, is important. Being mindful of hormonal fluctuations and creating nurturing routines around those cycles is valuable. Reducing mental clutter, managing technology use, seeking help, and practicing self-acceptance contribute to preventing burnout. Living an authentic and intentional life aligned with personal values leads to more fulfillment, joy, and self-compassion.
Addressing Hormonal Impact on Burnout
Hormonal fluctuations, especially during perimenopause, have a significant impact on burnout in ADHD women. Understanding the connection between hormones and ADHD symptoms helps in managing and preventing burnout. Having awareness of hormonal cycles, validating the impact of hormones on mental and physical health, and being intentional with self-care during those cycles are essential. Hormonal changes can contribute to increased stress, mood fluctuations, brain fog, and fatigue. Recognizing hormonal effects and creating space for self-care and rest during those times can help in mitigating burnout.
Practical Strategies and Mindset Shifts for Burnout Prevention
Practical strategies for burnout prevention include asking for help, accepting help, and prioritizing self-care. Setting boundaries, being present in the moment, and avoiding multitasking contribute to better focus and energy management. Technology management, reducing mental clutter, and intentional diary management help create a nurturing and regulated mental space. Embracing an authentic and intentional lifestyle, recognizing self-worth beyond achievement, and seeking joy, playfulness, and freedom are crucial mindset shifts. Prioritizing self-compassion, rest, and fulfillment helps in preventing burnout and fostering a healthier and more balanced life.
Exhaustion and anxiety are common byproducts of ADHD in females who are constantly juggling busy work and family schedules. Kate Moryoussef explains how to break the burnout cycle and harness self-awareness and self-compassion to live life on your terms.
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