What’s Really Behind Our ADHD Cognitive Struggles?

4 snips

Apr 27, 2025

Lucinda Miller, a seasoned naturopath and author of 'Brain Brilliance,' and Dr. Asad Rafi, a leading psychiatrist in ADHD, delve deep into the interplay between brain health and ADHD. They discuss how menstrual and hormonal changes, particularly during menopause, can mimic ADHD symptoms, often complicating diagnoses. The duo emphasizes the importance of nutrition, specifically iron and zinc, in cognitive function. Listening to them is like unlocking the mysteries of brain clarity, highlighting that awareness and lifestyle choices can significantly impact mental health.

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INSIGHT

Focus on Brain Health Not Labels

ADHD understanding should focus on overall brain health, not just ADHD diagnosis.
Different factors positively or negatively affect ADHD symptom control through brain health.

INSIGHT

ADHD Symptoms vs Features

Symptoms alone don't confirm ADHD; look for persistent, pervasive impact since childhood.
ADHD differs from features; symptoms must limit potential across multiple life areas.

INSIGHT

Hormones Affect ADHD Symptoms

Hormonal drops post-menopause can mimic or reveal ADHD symptoms.
Female reproductive hormones critically impact brain function and cognitive clarity.

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In this week’s episode, we shift the focus from labels to brain health. Dr. Asad Rafi, psychiatrist and ADHD specialist, joins me to answer a listener’s powerful question about recognising ADHD at 60 — and whether it’s ADHD or natural cognitive ageing.

You’ll also hear from Lucinda Miller. As clinical lead of the NatureDoc team, with over 25 years of experience as a naturopath and qualifications in Functional Medicine, Lucinda's book, Brain Brilliance, was published in August 2024. She discusses the significance of understanding how hormonal changes impact mental health and brain health.

Together, we explore how age, hormones, and life experiences can impact our brain health, cognitive function, and why it’s not always a straightforward ADHD diagnosis.

What You’ll Learn:

✨ Why thinking about brain health, not just ADHD, is key to managing symptoms effectively

✨ The difference between having features of ADHD and symptoms

✨ How menopause and hormonal shifts can mimic or unmask ADHD

✨ Why context and impact of ADHD symptoms throughout your life matter more than diagnosis checklists

✨ How to tell the difference between ADHD and natural cognitive changes

✨ Why brain fog isn’t always ADHD, and why it matters to know the difference

✨The specifics when it comes to nutrient levels like Iron and Zinc

✨ How your brain chemicals affect your mental clarity

✨ Eating to support your brain health and function

Dr. Rafi offers a thoughtful, holistic approach to late-life neurodivergence, helping us ask: Has it always been there, or is something else going on?

If you’re navigating hormonal changes, questioning your focus, or wondering if ADHD fits, this episode offers clarity, compassion, and a brain-first perspective.

Timestamps:

🕒 01:41 – A listener’s story: Recognising ADHD at 60

🕒 02:44 – Reframing ADHD through brain health

🕒 05:07 – Symptoms vs. features: what to look for

🕒 06:58 – Hormonal changes and ADHD

🕒 07:43 – Brain fog and cognitive shifts during menopause

🕒 08:51 - Understanding Dopamine ADHD and the Dietary Interplay

🕒 15:13 - Iron Needs for Women, Absorption and ADHD

Listen now and discover how understanding your brain better can be the first step to feeling like yourself again.

Links & Resources:

⭐ Boosting Hormonal and Perimenopausal Wellbeing alongside ADHD Workshop available to buy now on demand. Click here to purchase.

⭐ Book on the next ADHD Wellbeing Workshop all about 'Boosting your Self-Belief and Self-Trust after a late-in-life ADHD diagnosis' on May 6th @1.30pm! Click here to book.

⭐ If you love the podcast but want more ADHD support, get a sneak peek of my brand new book, The ADHD Women's Wellbeing Toolkit and pre-order it here!

⭐ Launching September! Tired of ADHD support that doesn’t get you? My new compassionate, community-first membership ditches the overwhelm by providing support aligned with YOU! Join the waitlist now for an exclusive founding member offer!

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Kate Moryoussef is a women's ADHD lifestyle and wellbeing coach and EFT practitioner who helps overwhelmed and unfulfilled newly diagnosed ADHD women find more calm, balance, hope, health, compassion, creativity and clarity.