Is it my ADHD, perimenopause or just me?!

Here's a table showing you which symptoms overlap and which are specific to just ADHD or perimenopause. I hope it helps you make sense of what you're experiencing.

ADHD and Perimenopause symptoms - are you confused?

I recently ran a poll on my Instagram page asking “Are your ADHD symptoms getting worse in midlife?” The results were clear: 100% of you said YES!

As perimenopause and ADHD symptoms can be very similar, you may have a hard time figuring out what is going on for you. What is ADHD and what isn’t? Are you in perimenopause or not? Maybe you’re experiencing distraction and memory issues and you’re wondering for the first time in your life if you may have ADHD.

Take a look at the table below to help you make sense of your symptoms. I’ve listed some of the more common ones, it’s not an exhaustive list.

As you can see, it’s not black and white. Whilst some symptoms are specific to perimenopause or ADHD, lots of others are present in both.

Personally, I’ve noticed a decrease in my executive functions pretty much across the board - not all the time, though. It comes and goes in phases alongside symptoms like dry eyes and achy joints, which suggests that lower levels of estrogen are to blame. We know estrogen levels fluctuate wildly during perimenopause. It makes sense then that my symptoms fluctuate, too.

It’s a rollercoaster ride, but knowing where your symptoms come from can help you find the right solution.

Have you experienced any increased symptoms? Let me know in the comments.