ADHD & Menopause
Is it ADHD? Is it Menopause? Or both?
For many women, midlife can feel like everything suddenly becomes harder.
You may notice more overwhelm, brain fog, emotional sensitivity, poor sleep, anxiety, forgetfulness, procrastination, or a sense that the strategies that once helped you cope no longer seem to work.
For women with ADHD (diagnosed, suspected, or newly exploring it) perimenopause, menopause & post menopause can intensify executive function challenges. Changes in hormones, especially estrogen, can affect attention, mood, memory, motivation, sleep, and emotional regulation (amongst many other symptoms)
Common experiences may include:
Brain fog and forgetfulness
Increased overwhelm
Emotional ups and downs
Poor sleep or fatigue
Increased anxiety
Loss of confidence
Feeling more scattered or disorganised
Struggling with motivation
Burnout or exhaustion
Feeling like your old coping strategies no longer work
How ADHD coaching can help
ADHD coaching provides a supportive, practical space to understand your brain, your hormones, reduce shame, and develop strategies that work for your real life.
Together, we can explore:
Understanding how hormones are impacted during perimenopause
How hormones influence our executive functions
What are executive functions?
Strategies to support executive function challenges
Planning and prioritising
Reducing overwhelm
Building routines and structure
Supporting energy and capacity
Creating realistic next steps
Burnout
Masking
Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria
What to expect
Coaching sessions are up to 50 minutes. I offer coaching sessions in my office on the North Shore, Auckland or via zoom.
Cost $140 per session
Testimonial
"At first, when my son started seeing Fiona, he didn’t trust the process and developed an “I’m fine” front or wall. But after a trip to Look Sharpe and Fiona giving my son permission to be as silly, as creative, or just plain bonkers with what it means to him to have ADHD, his words have changed from “I’m fine’”to proudly telling teachers what he has learned from his ‘life coach’ Fiona. The way my son looks at it is when you need extra help with math you get a tutor. My son needs help navigating friendships and stress triggers, so Fiona is his tutor. I have noticed a change and so has the school. He is actively trying to handle himself better. When he becomes overwhelmed he is thinking before he acts or speaks and if he gets it wrong, he is beginning to own it. My son is getting voted for effort and spirit awards, rather than being hauled into the headmaster’s office.”
A.M (Mother)
