ADHD can look very different in women and motherhood: hormonal shifts, pregnancy, and postpartum can dramatically change how those symptoms show up. In this episode, we’re joined by integrative ADHD specialist Dr. Carrie McMillin to unpack the ADHD brain, including executive function, task initiation, working memory, hyperfocus, dopamine, and emotional regulation.
We dive into how estrogen and progesterone interact with dopamine throughout the menstrual cycle, why some women notice more ADHD symptoms during the luteal phase, and what can happen during pregnancy and postpartum. Dr. McMillin explains why the postpartum period can be especially challenging, including the effects of the dramatic estrogen drop, prolactin, breastfeeding, sleep deprivation, and the increased demands of caring for a baby.
We also discuss how to distinguish ADHD from normal motherhood overwhelm, anxiety, and sleep deprivation; how ADHD is diagnosed in adults; medications and supplements; iron, B vitamins, L-tyrosine, and other potential supports; the importance of building systems around your individual executive-function struggles; and why small sources of genuine joy can be an important part of supporting your brain.
Finally, we talk about perimenopause, irritability and PMDD, caffeine, screen time, and practical ways women with ADHD can work with their brains instead of constantly fighting against them. The biggest takeaway? Understanding what’s happening in your brain can replace shame with self-compassion and help you build systems that actually work for you.
00:00 —Trailer & Introduction
03:06 —The ADHD Brain Isn’t Broken
06:15 —The 3 Types of ADHD
11:02 —Task Initiation, Motivation & Executive Function
12:06 —Hyperfocus & Dopamine
14:57 —Why ADHD Affects Working Memory
19:29 —Why Motherhood Can Amplify ADHD Symptoms
21:00 —How ADHD Is Diagnosed in Adults
24:20 —ADHD & the Menstrual Cycle
27:26 —Estrogen, Progesterone & Dopamine
34:17 —ADHD During Pregnancy
35:35 —Why Sleep Deprivation Can Mimic ADHD
40:36 —How Pregnancy Changes the Brain
42:01 —The Postpartum ADHD Crash
44:36 —ADHD, Breastfeeding & Prolactin
45:45 —Supporting ADHD Postpartum
50:19 —ADHD-Friendly Systems That Actually Help
52:21 —Finding Joy When You’re Overwhelmed
55:43 —Is It ADHD or Just Motherhood Overload?
58:25 —ADHD Medication: When Is It Worth Considering?
60:40 —Supplements & Natural ADHD Support
65:24 —ADHD, Irritability & PMDD
66:36 —ADHD & Perimenopause
67:17 —Building Systems Around Your Brain
70:08 —Caffeine & ADHD
71:47 —Screens, Dopamine & ADHD
75:17 —The Biggest Takeaway for Moms With ADHD
Resources From This Episode:
- Dr. Carrie’s Website- adhdetails.com
- Dr. Carrie’s Instagram- http://www.instagram.com/adhdetails
- Smart but Scattered book- https://amzn.to/3RtakE8
- The Radical Guide for Women with ADHD book- https://amzn.to/3PUJdS0
- Your Brain Is Not Broken book- https://amzn.to/4dYcYdI
- Do Less book- https://amzn.to/49YznFl
- Finch app- https://finchcare.com/mobile
- Trello app- https://trello.com/
- ClickUp app- https://try.web.clickup.com/qcca0vh17mp2
- Skylight calendar- https://tidd.ly/4s8VJe9
- Get some of the supplements(creatine, L-tyrosine, pharmaGABA, L-theanine, lion’s mane)recommended for 15% off on Fullscript- https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/mmacdermott/store-start
- Use code HEALTHYMOTHER to get a discount on Needed Stress Support- https://www.thisisneeded.com/discount/HEALTHYMOTHER
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Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Instagram
Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Website
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