Ep. 198 - Navigating ADHD and Menopause with Shanna Pearson

In this eye opening episode of Not Your Mother's Menopause Podcast, Dr. Fiona Lovely sits down with Shanna Pearson, a world-renowned expert on adult ADHD with over 26 years of experience. For the woman who feels like the wheels are suddenly coming off the bus in midlife, this conversation is the explanation you've been searching for. Shanna cuts through the noise with a compassionate yet honest perspective. She explains why ADHD is not a superpower for many women who have been silently struggling, but a very manageable reality that requires specific tools—tools that often stop working during the hormonal upheaval of perimenopause. The episode dives deep into the crucial link between declining estrogen and plummeting dopamine, revealing why previously hidden ADHD symptoms can erupt and overwhelm at this life stage. Together, Fiona and Shanna unpack the heartbreaking cycle of misdiagnosis, where women are frequently labeled with anxiety or depression, given the wrong medications, and left feeling hopeless as their core challenges go unaddressed. Shanna provides a masterclass on the internal experience of ADHD, from the exhaustive daily masking and paralyzing overwhelm to the emotional intensity that stems from a brain that cannot compartmentalize. Most importantly, this dialogue offers a powerful pathway forward. Shanna shares actionable insights on mood scheduling, reframing self-compassion, and finding the right "brush for your curly hair"—the specific strategies that can work with your unique brain wiring. This is an essential listen for any woman who has ever asked, "Why can't I just…?" or felt profoundly misunderstood by the world and herself. Learn more about Shanna here: https://www.adhdcoaching.com/ Thank you to our sponsors for this episode: 🌱 Ready to level up your nutrition? Check out AG1 for nutritional insurance on busy days! Plus, our podcast subscribers score exclusive freebies! 💚 ✨Did you know that estrogen actually helps to protect our heart? ♥️ When estrogen starts to diminish as we head to menopause, we have more oxidative stress on our arteries. Thankfully, MitoQ has a special anti-oxidant Mitoquinol that boosts our mitochondria and limits that stress. You can check it out at MitoQ.com. Use LOVELY10 for 10% off your first order. Dr. Fiona Lovely is a longevity, health and wellness expert with specialties in menopause medicine, functional neurology and functional medicine. She is speaking to the topics of women's health around perimenopause and menopause. How to work with Dr. Lovely: We get many requests for this info, so here it is! First off, thank you for listening to the NYMM podcast. It's because of your support, we can continue to dispense this information.❤️ Follow Dr. Lovely on IG and TikTok: @drfionalovely Follow the podcast on Facebook: www.facebook.com/@notyourmothersmenopausepodcast There are resources available on our website: www.drlovely.com Please sign up for our newsletter - Fiona's Friday Favourites! This is where we make the first announcements, share course offerings, drop new episodes, blog posts and the coveted 'Fiona's Favourites' column, etc. drlovely.com Finally, a humble request: If you love the podcast, please leave us a review! Thank you! 💕🤗 Partnerships by Category3 Media Group