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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.
Want to try the self-assessments mentioned in this episode?
Patient Health Questionnaire 9 Depression Self Assessment
Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale Symptom Checklist
00:00 Intro
02:30 ADHD vs. ADD: What Women Need to Know
04:20 How Shana Discovered Her Own ADHD Diagnosis
06:19 Why Perimenopause & Menopause Trigger ADHD Symptoms
09:16 Signs of ADHD in Women That Often Get Missed
15:28 Brain Fog or ADHD? How to Tell the Difference
18:46 Why Women Get Misdiagnosed With Anxiety or Depression
23:49 Quick Tools to Regulate an Overwhelmed ADHD Brain
33:37 Dopamine Boosts & Physical State Changes That Work
38:12 How ADHD Impacts Relationships & What Partners Need to Know
43:00 Morning Routines & Daily Habits That Actually Help ADHD Brains
47:05 ADHD Medication: What It Helps and What It Doesn’t
49:16 Why Women’s ADHD Symptoms Are Invisible And How to Get Support
53:11 Is It ADHD Or Menopause?
Watch the Full Episode Here: https://www.youtube.com/@TamsenFadalTV
Get my new book, How To Menopause, Take Charge of Your Health, Reclaim Your Life and Feel Even Better Than Before 💖 https://www.tamsenfadal.com/how-to-menopause
You can find Shanna here:
Visit her website
Pre-order her book Invisible ADHD: Proven Mood and Life Management for Smart Yet Scatterd Women
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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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I’m an Emmy Award-winning journalist, filmmaker, author, speaker, certified integrative nutrition coach, and passionate menopause advocate.
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Every episode of The Tamsen Show is here to help you navigate every stage of life with confidence. From career pivots to menopause, relationships to reinvention, Tamsen tackles the conversations women actually need, with real talk from experts, wellness advice and no filters.
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