The Brain That Changes Every Month with Dr. Jolene Brighten
Summary
Dr. Jolene Brighton discusses the intersection of hormones and ADHD in women, explaining how menstrual cycles and life stages like perimenopause impact executive function and symptom severity. She emphasizes that ADHD brains require individualized strategies, such as using exercise to boost focus and building in "micro pleasures" to manage dopamine needs. The conversation also covers the importance of lowering performance expectations during the luteal phase to prevent burnout and the value of externalizing executive function through small, manageable wins.
Topics discussed
Sponsorships: OnDeck and Hooked on Phonics
Introduction to Dr. Brighton and her new book
The gap in women's health and ADHD diagnosis
Hormonal cycles and their impact on ADHD symptoms
Emotional dysregulation and sensory issues in women
ADHD and gynecological conditions like PMDD
Making lifestyle changes accessible for ADHDers
The science of exercise and the ADHD brain
Finding enjoyable and sustainable exercise routines
Habit stacking and reframing exercise rewards
Building small pleasures into the daily routine
Sleep hygiene and managing bedtime stimulation
Treating your inner child and scheduling fun
Time blocking and respecting the menstrual cycle
Sponsorships: Rho and OnDeck
Recognizing the early signs of burnout
The compounding cost of daily tasks
Delegating tasks and gifting your future self
Parenting an ADHD child and modeling behavior
Executive function maturation lag in ADHD
The importance of apologizing to children
How hormonal changes affect ADHD medication
Mitochondrial function and medication mechanisms
Dietary adjustments for brain health
ADHD and the early onset of perimenopause
Interventions for perimenopausal ADHD symptoms
Externalizing executive function to do less
Episode summary and newsletter promotion
Sponsorships: Guiding Stars and GameTime
Sponsorship: Wise
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