ADHD or Perimenopause? The Signs You’ve Been Missing

Sep 3, 2025

In this enlightening discussion, Shanna Pearson, the founder of Expert ADHD Coaching and author of *Invisible ADHD*, dives into the often-overlooked reality of ADHD in women, particularly during midlife. She explains how hormonal shifts during perimenopause can amplify ADHD symptoms, leading to misdiagnosis as anxiety or depression. Shanna shares practical strategies to navigate overwhelm, improve focus, and enhance relationships, emphasizing the importance of understanding ADHD's unique impacts on women's lives while shedding light on its hidden strengths.

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INSIGHT

Late Diagnosis In Women

Many women with ADHD were missed in childhood and only recognize it later in life.
Perimenopause often reveals ADHD as estrogen and dopamine decline worsen symptoms.

ANECDOTE

Shanna's Diagnosis Story

Shanna was diagnosed at 32 after being first labeled depressed and given antidepressants that worsened her state.
A thorough two-day ADHD evaluation reviewing childhood reports revealed she was 'textbook extreme ADHD.'

INSIGHT

Screening Overlap Causes Misdiagnosis

Standard anxiety and depression screenings overlap heavily with ADHD symptoms in women.
Many women are misdiagnosed and prescribed treatments that don't address ADHD's core issues.

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ADHD in women has been invisible for decades. The overwhelm, the racing thoughts, the feeling that everything is urgent are often dismissed as anxiety, depression, or just “being busy.” But they’re not character flaws, they’re signs of something deeper.

In this episode, Shanna Pearson, founder of Expert ADHD Coaching and author of Invisible ADHD, shares why so many women are only being diagnosed later in life, how perimenopause and menopause hormones intensify symptoms, and the real strategies that help women regain control.

They talk about:

- Why ADHD in women often gets misdiagnosed as anxiety or depression

- How estrogen and dopamine shifts in midlife affect focus and regulation

- A simple way to cut through overwhelm by narrowing your focus

- Reset tools, from physical state changes to writing exercises, that stop spirals in their tracks

- How ADHD impacts confidence, relationships, and careers, and what to do about it

Shanna also shares the positives often overlooked, including how hyperfocus can be harnessed in the right environments and why the right tools, not just medication, can transform daily life.

If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s ADHD, menopause, or just modern life, this conversation will help you see yourself more clearly and give you solutions you can use right away.

Watch full video episodes HERE

Get Tamsen’s new book, How To Menopause: Take Charge of Your Health, Reclaim Your Life and Feel Even Better Than Before

Want to try the self-assessments mentioned in this episode?

Patient Health Questionnaire 9 Depression Self Assessment

GAD-7 Anxiety Self Assessment

Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale Symptom Checklist

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This show is sponsored by Midi Health. Visit JoinMidi.com today to book your personalized, insurance-covered virtual visit. Midi. The Care Women Deserve.

Medical Disclaimer:

The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical concerns or treatment options. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of The Tamsen Show.

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