The Hidden Burnout of ADHD & Autism After Motherhood | MasterChef Vanessa D'Souza

Motherhood can expose ADHD and autism in ways many women never expect. In this episode, Dr. Jolene Brighten and Vanessa D’Souza discuss how postpartum hormones, burnout, masking, sensory overload, and relationship dynamics can leave neurodivergent women feeling like they’ve lost themselves—not because they’re failing, but because no one prepared them for what happens after birth. For the complete show notes, research, and resources, visit Dr. Brighten: Vanessa D’Souza joins Dr. Brighten for an honest conversation about why pregnancy may feel easier than postpartum for women with ADHD and autism, how estrogen and progesterone influence executive function, why postpartum burnout is often mistaken for depression, and what partners, families, and healthcare providers need to understand to better support neurodivergent mothers. ✨ In This Episode 🧠 Why ADHD and autism often become much more noticeable after childbirth 🌸 The dramatic hormone shifts from pregnancy to postpartum 🎭 Why masking suddenly becomes impossible 💥 How postpartum burnout differs from postpartum depression 🍼 Breastfeeding, sensory overload, and nervous system regulation 💛 The invisible emotional labor carried by neurodivergent mothers 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Why relationships often become strained after a baby 🏥 How birth environments can affect autistic women 🧬 The role estrogen, progesterone, dopamine, testosterone, and cortisol play in executive function 🚩 Early warning signs of burnout before a complete crash 🛠 Practical ways to better prepare for the fourth trimester 📚 Resources Mentioned 📖 Is This Normal?: https://drbrighten.com/is-this-normal/ 📖 Beyond the Pill: https://drbrighten.com/beyond-the-pill 📖 ADHD & Women by Dr. Jolene Brighten: https://drbrighten.com/adhd-and-women/ 🤝 Connect with Vanessa D’Souza 🌐 Website: https://vanessadsouza.co.uk/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.autistic.chef/?hl=en 💜 Connect with Dr. Jolene Brighten 🌐 Website: https://drbrighten.com 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten 🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrJoleneBrighten 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjolenebrighten ❤️ Enjoying the Show? 👍 Like this video 💬 Share it with someone who needs to hear this conversation 🔔 Subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss a new episode Your support helps us bring more evidence-based conversations about women’s health, hormones, ADHD, autism, and neuroscience to millions of people. Medical Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult your qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your healthcare plan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices