The Messy Intersection of ADHD + Perimenopause with Dr. Rebecca Richey

Dr. Rebecca Richey returns to talk about the wild intersection of ADHD and perimenopause, or as she calls it, “When the wheels fall off the bus.”Anxiety might actually be your ADHD talking – When you treat the ADHD first, the anxiety often gets way quieter. It's not the main problem; it's the monkey on your shoulder that comes with ADHD.Perimenopause + ADHD Your estrogen is ping-ponging all over the place while your executive function was already struggling. No wonder everything feels impossible.There's literally no protocol for this – Research on women's hormones and ADHD is basically nonexistent. We're all just figuring it out together through trial and error (and group texts about estrogen patches).Late diagnosis is super common – So many women get diagnosed in their 40s because they finally hit the point where all their coping systems can't keep up anymore. Career peak + aging parents + big kid problems + perimenopause = diagnosis time.Stimulants aren't scary – Kids with ADHD who are medicated have better outcomes across the board: fewer car accidents, less substance abuse, better relationships, lower suicide rates. The zombie thing was a 90s problem.The hypervigilance is real – That constant "am I forgetting something?" anxiety comes from decades of being the "good girl" who couldn't let anyone see how hard things were. BUT: You're not in danger anymore – Your 8-year-old self believed she was in danger when she got in trouble. But you're an adult, and nobody's putting you in timeout.Perimenopause has gifts too – Like suddenly realizing you're not always wrong. And giving way fewer fucks about what other people think. Welcome to your "actually, I'm the fucking queen" era.Find practitioners who actually listen – You might try 17 medications before finding the right one. You need someone who won't treat you like a burden.Hang on—it gets better – Women in post-menopause are the happiest they've ever been (aside from ages 0-10). So buckle up, but know there's light at the end of the tunnel.Follow Steph on IG @stephsprenger, and on Substack at The Reclamation Era. Looking for a community of creative midlife women? Check out MidCircleCheck out Dr. Richey’s appearances on The Mother Plus Podcast:Why ADHD Women Are “Too Sensitive”How to Regulate Your Emotions When You’re “Too Sensitive: A Conversation AboutRSD with Dr. Rebecca RicheyA Psychologist Explains How the ADHD Mom Can Advocate for Herself: Part I Part IIDr. Rebecca Richey is one of Colorado’s first prescribing psychologists, dedicated to empowering women, girls, and gender-diverse individuals through compassionate, evidence-based care. With advanced training in clinical psychopharmacology and a deep understanding of the unique mental health challenges faced by her clients, Dr. Richey offers an integrative approach that includes medication management, psychedelic therapy, and psychological testing. Learn more here.